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

Remembering Pat Michalski who dedicated her life to diversity and fairness

December 30, 2022December 30, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Remembering Pat Michalski who dedicated her life to diversity and fairness Very few people have done more to strengthen diversity in Illinois than Patricia Michalski, who passed away on December 17, 2022. Pat was an activist dedicated to bringing people of all races, ethnicities and nationalities in the Chicagoland area together. And she did it…

Blogger, Chicago, Civil Rights, Commentary, Culture, Government, Illinois Legislature, Obituary, Opinion, Racism, rayhanania, Religion, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Rep. Newman Secures $23,536,540 for Local Projects in Final Government Funding Package

December 28, 2022December 28, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Rep. Newman Secures $23,536,540 for Local Projects in Final Government Funding Package Investments will increase access to critical health care services, expand educational and workforce opportunities for students, and continue modernizing transportation and infrastructure systems to address flooding and congestion. U.S. Representative Marie Newman announced Dec. 21, 2022, that $23,536,540 in Community Project Funding…

News

Pappas: Cook County property taxes due by December 30

December 28, 2022December 28, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas: Cook County property taxes due by December 30 Property owners must pay the Second Installment of their Cook County property taxes by Friday, December 30, 2022, to avoid late charges imposed by state law. “The most efficient way to pay is online,” said Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. “You can download your bill online…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, News, NewsWire

Orland Park offers Christmas Tree, Wreath and Light recycling

December 27, 2022December 27, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park offers Christmas Tree, Wreath and Light recycling Live Christmas tree and wreath collection in the Village of Orland Park will be offered by Waste Management, the Village’s waste collector. During the first two full weeks of January, the weeks of January 2 and January 9, Waste Management customers can place Christmas trees and…

Environment, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs announces Veterans’ Grant recipients

December 27, 2022December 27, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs announces Veterans’ Grant recipients Nearly $350,000 in grants allocated to organizations serving Veterans from the Winter Winnings Lottery Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) announced the first quarter of FY23 Veterans’ Grant Recipients of nearly $350,000 awarded to organizations that provide vital services to veterans including homelessness, and post-traumatic…

News, Veterans, Veterans Column

United offers endless airline travel problems for travelers

December 25, 2022December 25, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

United offers endless airline travel problems for travelers The worst challenge travelers face is the ineptitude of the Airline companies. They hide behind weather delays and overbooking to distract you from their core problems. Their check in system is horrible and their cell phone App, which is supposed to make it easy, doesn’t always work….

Blogger, Business, Chicago, Commentary, Government, Opinion, rayhanania, Transportation, Travel

Lyons police arrest alleged drunk driving offender after he crashes into Brookfield Zoo

December 22, 2022December 22, 2022 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Lyons police arrest alleged drunk driving offender after he crashes into Brookfield Zoo Driver had 47 previous charges but no convictions but will face four Felony charges in latest DUI, drug possession and fleeing crash scene, Lyons Police officials said Lyons, Illinois — A 24-year-old Oak Forest man who has been charged 47 times in…

breaking news, Cook County, Crime, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to readers, and the tragedy of O’Hare Airport

December 16, 2022December 16, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to readers, and the tragedy of O’Hare Airport Ray Hanania writes to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and describes the horror of having to travel through O’Hare Airport’s filthy, disgusting condition while Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot promotes her candidacy for re-election in nauseating ads that repetitively broadcast over O’Hare…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, National, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Transportation, Travel

Chicago Mayoral candidate Kam Buckner demands accountability from Jesus Garcia and Mayor Lori Lightfoot on FTX controversy ties

December 14, 2022December 14, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Mayoral candidate Kam Buckner demands accountability from Jesus Garcia and Mayor Lori Lightfoot on FTX controversy ties Lightfoot Owes Chicago An Explanation About Her Connection to Corrupt Crypto King.Lori Lightfoot welcomed crypto fraud Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX to Chicago this past spring and allowed him to collaborate on the city’s “guaranteed basic income” U.S. Rep….

Chicago, elections, Government, News, Politics

Vallas releases comprehensive Public Safety Strategy for Chicago

December 12, 2022December 12, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Vallas releases comprehensive Public Safety Strategy for Chicago Calls for the Return of Public Safety as a ‘Basic Human Right’ for Chicagoans Paul Vallas will return the Chicago Police Department to its core mission to serve and protect the people of Chicago by prioritizing public safety as a human right by making crime in Chicago…

Chicago, Civil Rights, Crime, Culture, elections, Government, News, Politics

Orland Township’s Holiday Program: Highlighting Donor Kindness From Local Schools

December 12, 2022December 12, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township’s Holiday Program: Highlighting Donor Kindness From Local Schools In the spirit of holiday giving, numerous local schools have donated food and toys to the Orland Township Holiday Program. Orland Township’s Holiday Program has provided a yearly holiday meal, gifts, and other personal items to more than 200 resident families in need for over…

food, News, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland

Representative Cyril Nichols discusses legislation to grant MBE status to Arab Americans on Arab Radio

December 11, 2022December 11, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Representative Cyril Nichols discusses legislation to grant MBE status to Arab Americans on Arab Radio State Rep. Cyril Nichols interviewed on live Arab American radio in Detroit with host Ray Hanania Friday Dec. 9, 2022 discussed his legislation to grant MBE status to Arab Americans and called on Arab Americans to build coalitions with the…

Business, Chicago, Civil Rights, Cook County, Government, News, Podcast, Radio, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Order of protection keeps mother’s reported abusive boyfriend away from dad’s children

December 7, 2022December 7, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Order of protection keeps mother’s reported abusive boyfriend away from dad’s children A divorced dad had two children with his ex-wife – an 8-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl. He wanted to protect his children from physical abuse he feared might come at the hands of his ex-wife’s new boyfriend. Attorney Jeffery M. Leving, founder…

Chicago, Cook County, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Suburban Chicagoland

State probes dark money in re-election of controversy-plagued County Commissioner Sean Morrison

December 7, 2022December 7, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

State probes dark money in re-election of controversy-plagued County Commissioner Sean Morrison Some $300,000 in money from a dark PAC set up to fight Illinois tax hikes made its way into the campaign coffers of beleaguered Cook County Commissioner and Failed Cook County Republican Party boss Sean Morrison. The Illinois Election Board is investigating complaints…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Treasurer analysis shows dramatic tax increases in Latino wards

December 2, 2022December 2, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer analysis shows dramatic tax increases in Latino wards Cook County property tax analysis: Latino wards see dramatic increases; new state law, reassessments and controversial TIF funds result in higher taxes for most property owners As property tax bills land in Cook County mailboxes over the coming days, businesses and homeowners will likely…

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

IDPH Reports 63 Illinois Counties are at Elevated COVID-19 Community Levels

December 2, 2022December 2, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

IDPH Reports 63 Illinois Counties are at Elevated COVID-19 Community Levels Illinoisans urged to Get Fully Vaccinated for COVID-19 & Flu; Stay Home and Seek Treatment Immediately if you are Sick; State Reports 20,495 New COVID-19 Cases in Last Week With COVID-19 cases and other respiratory viruses on the increase around Illinois, the Illinois Department…

coronavirus, Health, News

Village of Orland Park Prepares for the Winter Season

December 2, 2022December 2, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Village of Orland Park Prepares for the Winter Season With the expected seasonal snowfall on the horizon, the Village of Orland Park Public Works Department shares its annual list of snow related reminders. “I know that all of the Village’s plowing crews appreciate residents’ cooperation as they work to keep Village streets safe and accessible,”…

Cook County, Features, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Weather

Rockford Man Charged with Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse of Minor

December 2, 2022December 2, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rockford Man Charged with Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse of Minor A Rockford man is now facing felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, grooming, and solicitation of child pornography following an investigation by the Cook County Sheriffs Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today. On Thursday, Dec….

Cook County, Crime, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland