Author: Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award-winning 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

Rep. Sean Casten Declares Victory in Illinois 6th District

November 8, 2022April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rep. Sean Casten declares victory in Illinois 6th District Democrat Sean Casten defeated a challenge from extremist Republican Keith Pekau in Tuesday’s Midterm election. Although Republicans were sweeping elections around the country, taking control of the U.S. House from Democrats — and possibly taking control of the U.S. Senate, although that has yet to be…

Cook County, DuPage, elections, Government, National, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park Home fire, Avenida Del Este Monday evening, Nov. 7, 2022

November 8, 2022November 8, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Orland Park Home fire, Avenida Del Este Monday evening, Nov. 7, 2022 Fire believed to have begun in shed spread quickly to the adjacent home in Orland Park on Monday evening, Nov. 7, 2022. Neighbor alerts homeowner as the fire spread. No injuries reported. The Orland Fire District responded at 10:41 PM to a 911…

Cook County, Fire, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland

USS Chicago returns home from final deployment

November 7, 2022November 7, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

USS Chicago returns home from Final Deployment From Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following a seven-month deployment, Nov. 2, 2022. It was the submarine’s final deployment before decommissioning, which is scheduled to begin in…

Chicago, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Bolingbrook native becomes member of elite Navy Honor Guard

November 7, 2022November 7, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bolingbrook native becomes member of elite Navy Honor Guard By Stephanie Fox A native of Bolingbrook, Illinois, recently completed an intensive 10-week training program to become a member of the elite U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard. Airman Rodrigo Godinez, a 2022 Downers Grove South High School graduate, joined the Navy six months ago. Today, Godinez serves…

News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

State indicated dad neglected child, but he wins appeal, clearing his name

November 3, 2022November 3, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

State indicated dad neglected child, but he wins appeal, clearing his name Fathers’ Rights attorney Jeffery M. Leving will tell listeners to his weekly radio show about a decision his legal team won from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in favor of a father his firm represented. “I believe there is little…

Chicago, Cook County, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Radio

Good and bad choices in the November 8 General Election

November 2, 2022April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Good and bad choices in the November 8 General Election Here are some of the candidates running in the Illinois November 8, 2022 General Election that award-winning political election columnist Ray Hanania believes you should support and reject when you vote on November 8, 2022. By Ray Hanania Which issue is more important November 8,…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Keeping a close eye on China and semiconductor production

October 29, 2022October 29, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Right from the Middle: Keeping a close eye on China and semiconductor production By William O. Lipinski I am extremely happy to see, besides aiding and assisting Ukraine in so many ways in their gallant defense against Russia, Our Land of Liberty is keeping an eye on our real dangerous adversary China. One area where…

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Commentary, Federal, Government, Opinion, Politics, Technology

Senior Social Security gets thrown under Illinois & US bus

October 29, 2022February 4, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Senior Social Security gets thrown under Illinois & US bus Although politicians in the Republican and Democratic Party pander to the senior vote, the Democrats did the most damage to the Social Security system fear mongering that if they don’t impose changes the system will collapse. But if the system were to collapse, it is…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Government, Health, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Taxes, Veterans

Can anyone be honest in an election?

October 27, 2022October 27, 2022 Ray Hanania 3 Comments

Can anyone be honest in an election? This year’s elections are driven by lies from both political parties but in Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is the worst. Fake newspapers exaggerate the facts but those facts are founded in some truth that Pritzker is also working to disguise. Voters are so easily driven by single exaggerated…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, Media Bias, National, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Jesse White Alerts Consumers to Beware of Flood-Damaged Cars Caused by Hurricane Ian

October 26, 2022October 26, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Jesse White Alerts Consumers to Beware of Flood-Damaged Cars Caused by Hurricane Ian Secretary of State Jesse White says titles for potential flood vehicles will be closely scrutinized in an extra effort to protect consumers Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is alerting consumers interested in purchasing used vehicles to beware of flood-damaged cars resulting…

Crime, Flooding, Government, National, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Des Plaines, Ill., Families Find Solutions to Bullying From a Surprising Source

October 26, 2022October 26, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Des Plaines, Ill., Families Find Solutions to Bullying From a Surprising Source Melchizedek and Susana’s son was in the fourth grade when a group of children from his school in Des Plaines, Illinois, began to verbally assault him every day. When the words turned into physical blows, the couple recognized that this was not a…

General Topics, Health, News, news release, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

USCIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities

October 26, 2022October 26, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

USCIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities through Jan. 24, 2023, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors. Under these flexibilities, USCIS considers a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date set forth in the following requests or notices before taking any action, if the request…

coronavirus, Government, Health, National, News

Quad Cities Festival of Trees Ushers in the Holiday Season

October 26, 2022October 26, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Quad Cities Festival of Trees Ushers in the Holiday Season Celebrating 37 years of holiday magic, this year’s Kwik Star Festival of Trees returns to the RiverCenter in downtown Davenport, Iowa, on November 19-27. Take a walk through the “Peppermint Forest” and experience over 150 designer displays and fun-filled attractions that will be sure to…

Entertainment, Events, Festival, News, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Sean Casten launches new TV Ad slamming extremists in 6th District race

October 24, 2022October 24, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sean Casten launches new TV Ad slamming extremists in 6th District race U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) released a new TV Ad Monday Oct. 24, 2022 that highlighting his opponent’s extreme anti-choice views, like his support of overturning Roe and letting states pass a ban on abortion with zero exceptions for rape or incest. The…

Civil Rights, Cook County, Crime, DuPage, elections, Federal, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Orland Township, Politics, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Supporters host fundraiser for State Rep. Cyril Nichols

October 21, 2022October 21, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Supporters host fundraiser for State Rep. Cyril Nichols Allies and supporters for State Rep. Cyril Nichols of the 32nd House District will host a fundraiser on Saturday October 22, 2022 from 6 until 10 PM. Titled “We Do the Work,” the fundraiser will be held at the XS Tennis and Education Center, 5336 S. State…

Chicago, Civil Rights, Cook County, elections, Events, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez releases information ahead of November 2022 General Election

October 21, 2022October 21, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez releases information ahead of November 2022 General Election United States Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Jeremy Peña will lead the efforts of his office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. AUSA…

Civil Rights, Crime, elections, Federal, Government, News

Justice Department Announces Charges and Arrests in Two Cases Involving Export Violation Schemes to Aid Russian Military

October 21, 2022October 21, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Justice Department Announces Charges and Arrests in Two Cases Involving Export Violation Schemes to Aid Russian Military In Two Separate Cases, Charges Filed Against Two Companies and Half a Dozen Individuals Arrested for Alleged Illegal Sale and Export of Powerful Dual-Use Technologies In separate charges unsealed today in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern…

Business, Crime, Federal, Government, Law, National, News, Ukraine

Hurley Highlights Upcoming IDOT Workshops for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

October 21, 2022October 21, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hurley Highlights Upcoming IDOT Workshops for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program State Rep. Fran Hurley is encouraging qualifying disadvantaged small businesses to participate in a series of upcoming virtual workshops for the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. “The DBE program supports local businesses, and helps in the construction of infrastructure across…

Business, Cook County, Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Will County