Author: Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland. His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing. Email Ray Hanania at [email protected]. Follow RayHanania at Twitter

Taxpayers get help finding refunds for overpayments, missed exemptions

August 31, 2023August 31, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Taxpayers get help finding refunds for overpayments, missed exemptions Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Cook County owes refunds to thousands of property owners because of past overpayments and missed exemptions. Many homeowners who could use the extra money to pay bills, buy groceries and meet other needs have…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Ali Center announces 2023 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award recipients

August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ali Center announces 2023 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award recipients Awardees include KIND Bars CEO, Innocence Project co-founder, LMPD Offiers, HollyRod Foundation The 10th annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards will take place Saturday, November 4, and boasts another esteemed panel of honorees. The Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards are the Center’s largest annual fundraiser and incorporate two…

Chicago, Civil Rights, News, NewsWire

Fathers’ Rights Court victory: After hard-fought trial, judge gives custody of children to dad

August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fathers’ Rights Court victory: After hard-fought trial, judge gives custody of children to dad In a case that involved the heartbreak of a mother’s illness and death, we fought and won in court to bring grief-stricken children back to their father. I’ll talk about this case on my weekly Chicago radio show, the Dads’ Rights…

Civil Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Aldermen set to reestablish limits to Welcoming City Ordinance

August 28, 2023August 28, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Chicago Aldermen set to reestablish limits to Welcoming City Ordinance Following an uptick in illegal activities at migrant shelters and police districts throughout the city, Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) and several others want to return “commonsense restrictions” addressing public safety back into the city’s Welcoming City ordinance. Under the Lightfoot administration, all public safety carveouts…

Chicago, Civil Rights, Crime, immigrant, News

Commissioner Monica Gordon Announces Advisory Council to Address Violence Prevention

August 27, 2023August 27, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Commissioner Monica Gordon Announces Advisory Council to Address Violence Prevention Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon is convening an Inaugural Violence Prevention Advisory Council in an effort to address the issue from every direction. The 5th District Commissioner says she sees the prevention of violence in our communities as the single most important issue facing Cook County…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Financial ratings agency raises rating for Lyons Township Government

August 25, 2023August 27, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Financial ratings agency raises rating for Lyons Township Government Standard & Poor’s, one of the nation’s most prestigious financial rating agencies, on Wednesday, August 23 announced they raised the Credit Rating for the Township of Lyons Government due to its strong financial status. Standard & Poor’s raised the Township Rating from AA to AA+ citing…

Business, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Village of Lyons

Hastings secures $17.8 million for vital improvements to Tinley Park and neighboring municipalities

August 25, 2023August 26, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings secures $17.8 million for vital improvements to Tinley Park and neighboring municipalities Tinley Park and neighboring municipalities are set to receive $17.8 million to make vital improvements to local highways and roads, thanks to the advocacy of State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “Our highways, roads and bridges optimize opportunities for economic development, education and…

construction, Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Mokena, News, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland, Tinley Park

Therapy under way to reunite dad and son

August 25, 2023August 26, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Therapy under way to reunite dad and son Fathers’ Rights attorney Jeffery M. Leving will speak on his weekly radio show about a case in which his law firm secured a long-sought victory. “We reunited a loving father with his young son,” Leving says. “It was a fierce battle, but we won. Failure was not…

Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Podcast, Radio

Cicero First Deputy Police Chief named head of West Suburban Chiefs of Police (WSCOP)

August 24, 2023August 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cicero First Deputy Police Chief named head of West Suburban Chiefs of Police (WSCOP) Town of Cicero 1st Deputy Police Supt. Luis Gutierrez will be honored on September 6, 2023, and sworn in as the new incoming President of the West Suburban Chiefs of Police Association (WSCOP). Gutierrez will be the first Command Officer from…

Crime, Government, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

America weakened by bullying, hatred and media hypocrisy

August 24, 2023August 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

America weakened by bullying, hatred and media hypocrisy By Ray Hanania Despite the misleading rantings and personal attacks from people on the Left, who believe stating “facts” is the same thing as “having” facts, former President Donald Trump is positioned to easily win the Republican Party nomination next year. The only uncertainty in the election…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, elections, Media Bias, National, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Lyons Mayor Chris Getty Hosts Town Hall meeting with Congressman Garcia and local officials

August 20, 2023August 20, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lyons Mayor Chris Getty Hosts Town Hall meeting with Congressman Garcia and local officials Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty hosted a Town Hall meeting featuring Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia along promising that they would work together to continue to bring state funding to support resident needs. Also attending the event were State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, State…

Cook County, Federal, Government, News, Taxes

Attorney Burton Odelson assesses Trump indictments on Two Guys on Politics podcast

August 18, 2023August 18, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Attorney Burton Odelson assesses Trump indictments on Two Guys on Politics podcast The Video Podcast Two Guys on Politics presents a discussion with attorneyBurton S. Odelson on the four indictments of former President Donald Trump. Odelson was one of the attorneys who was involved in the Nov. 2000 presidential election recount controversy involving the so-called…

Bill Lipinski, Crime, elections, Law, National, News, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania

Pritzker makes right choice on abandoned Tinley Mental Health center

August 18, 2023August 18, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker makes right choice on abandoned Tinley Mental Health center By Ray Hanania Legislation signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker this week does two important things for Tinley Park and for the southwest region. It secures a productive future for the long abandoned Tinley Mental Health Center, giving it to the Tinley Park Park District to…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, rayhanania, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Using rules of evidence to achieve court victories to be topic of CLE seminar at Leving firm

August 15, 2023August 15, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Using rules of evidence to achieve court victories to be topic of CLE seminar at Leving firm The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. will host the next presentation of the Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar Series on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m. CDT at 19 S. LaSalle St. in…

Events, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Senator Michael Hastings secures $17.1 million for for vital improvements to bridges and roads in Lockport and Homer Glen

August 12, 2023August 12, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Senator Michael Hastings secures $17.1 million for for vital improvements to bridges and roads in Lockport and Homer Glen Lockport and Homer Glen are set to receive $17.1 million to make vital improvements to local highways, bridges and roads, thanks to the advocacy of State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “Sound and safe roads, highways and…

construction, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Maria Pappas applauds passage of historic property tax reform law cutting the interest on late taxes

August 12, 2023August 12, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Maria Pappas applauds passage of historic property tax reform law cutting the interest on late taxes Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed into law historic reforms to fix long-standing racial inequities and abuses in the state’s property tax system spotlighted in two studies issued last year by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. Pappas’ property…

Cook County, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Hastings’ new law will jump start renovation of Tinley Park Mental Health Center

August 11, 2023August 11, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings’ new law will jump start renovation of Tinley Park Mental Health Center The long awaited renovation to the former Tinley Park Mental Health Center will soon be underway thanks to the advocacy of State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “Transferring the Tinley Park Mental Health Center to the Tinley Park – Park District was one…

construction, Government, Health, News, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Two Guys on Politics podcast on weakening fight on crime, increased benefits for non-citizens and Biden and Iran deal

August 11, 2023August 11, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Two Guys on Politics podcast on weakening fight on crime, increased benefits for non-citizens and Biden and Iran deal Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and columnist Ray Hanania release Season 2 Episode 3 of their weekly podcast on American politics this week discussing the weakening fight against crime in America, the increasing benefits being given to…

Bill Lipinski, Commentary, Government, News, Podcast, Police, Politics, rayhanania