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

Orland Park Partners with Federal Agency to Address Illegal Firearms

September 22, 2022September 22, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Partners with Federal Agency to Address Illegal Firearms In an effort to combat increasing number of guns recovered within Orland Park, the Orland Park Police Department has entered into a partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In 2021, the Orland Park Police recovered 61 illegally-possessed guns, leading to…

Crime, Government, News, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

CLE at Leving firm to focus on excluding therapist testimony in family law cases

September 21, 2022September 21, 2022 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

CLE at Leving firm to focus on excluding therapist testimony in family law cases 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 Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. CDT at 19 S. LaSalle St. in Chicago. Attorney Michael…

Chicago, Education, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Safe-T Act law being exaggerated by both far Right and Left

September 21, 2022September 21, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Safe-T Act law being exaggerated by both far Right and Left Democrats have undermined their fight against crime with the confusing and unexplained Safe-T Act. The November 8 election come down to two powerful issues, Roe v Wade for Democrats, and the Safe-T Act for Republicans. The Republican fight against crime has counterbalanced the Democrat…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Crime, elections, Features, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Sean Casten Releases several Digital campaign Ads on Reproductive Rights and healthcare

September 21, 2022April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sean Casten Releases several Digital campaign Ads on Reproductive Rights and healthcare Congressman Sean Casten releases a series of Ads promoting his re-election bid in the new 6th Congressional District, affirming support for Women’s Rights and healthcare basics. Casten is also addressing the issue of flooding in the suburbs U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) released…

elections, Federal, Flooding, Health, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Fight The Flu at Orland Township

September 20, 2022September 20, 2022 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Fight The Flu at Orland Township Flu Shot Clinics are starting at the Township again in September. At Orland Township residents will have the opportunity to receive their seasonal flu-shots on select days in the coming months. Starting on September 21st, Orland Township residents will have the opportunity to receive their seasonal flu-shots on select…

Events, Government, Health, News, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Justice Advisory Council to Host Information Session on the Funding Opportunity

September 20, 2022September 20, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Justice Advisory Council to Host Information Session on the Funding Opportunity Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar Encourages Application for $5 Million in Funding for Domestic Violence Intervention and Support Services Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Justice Advisory Council (JAC) announced an American Rescue Plan Act funded initiative to…

Chicago, Cook County, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Highway Commissioner Rubino Supports Cell Phone For Seniors Program

September 20, 2022September 20, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Highway Commissioner Rubino Supports Cell Phone For Seniors Program Highway Department to be a collection site Do you have an old cell phone that sits in a drawer in your kitchen or on a shelf in your closet at home? Then it is time to clear the clutter and head to the Highway Department. Highway…

Cook County, Environment, Government, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland, Technology

Cicero names Natalie Baeza as the Pageant Queen for Mexican Independence 2022-23

September 15, 2022September 15, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cicero names Natalie Baeza as the Pageant Queen for Mexican Independence 2022-23 On Thursday, September 8, under an atmosphere of celebration and joy at the Cicero Community Center, the Cicero Mexican Cultural Committee held its annual election for the Queen of Cicero. Indiana University student Natalie Baeza, 22, was crowned the Queen of Cicero 2022-23…

Cook County, Entertainment, Features, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Awarding $1.5 Million in Honor Grants to Nonprofits That Serve Veterans

September 15, 2022September 15, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Awarding $1.5 Million in Honor Grants to Nonprofits That Serve Veterans Awards will help expand existing programming for veterans and their families Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced $1.5 million in funding for Honor Grants, a program spearheaded by the Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs (CCVA), to expand programming offered by…

Cook County, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

The Old Joliet Haunted Prison returns for the 2022 season

September 15, 2022September 15, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Old Joliet Haunted Prison returns for the 2022 season Chicagoland’s Only Haunted House Inside an Actual Abandoned Prison Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group ThirteenthFloor.com, producers of world-class live events and location-based entertainment experiences, returns with The Old Joliet Haunted Prison for the 2022 haunting season. Officially open to the public on Saturday, September 24, and…

Entertainment, Features, News, Suburban Chicagoland

The Great Pumpkin Party Returns to Centennial Park October 1

September 15, 2022September 15, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

The Great Pumpkin Party Returns to Centennial Park October 1 The Fall-Themed Event Has Limited Ticketing, Registration Required The Village of Orland Park will kick off the fall season with the highly-anticipated Great Pumpkin Party on Saturday, October 1 at the Centennial Park Warming House, located within Centennial Park at 15600 West Avenue in Orland…

News

Raymond Lopez says 500th Chicago murder unacceptable fir America’s 3rd largest city

September 13, 2022September 14, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Raymond Lopez says 500th Chicago murder unacceptable fir America’s 3rd largest city Chicago homicides this year higher than New York City and Los Angeles with larger populations   Alderman Raymond Lopez (15th ward), candidate for Mayor of Chicago expressed outrage at the city reaching 500th homicide in Chicago so far this year. On Sunday, West Pullman…

Chicago, Crime, elections, Government, News, Politics

“Plan Your Escape” is the theme for the Orland Fire Protection District annual Open House Sept. 24

September 12, 2022September 12, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

“Plan Your Escape” is the theme for the Orland Fire Protection District annual Open House Sept. 24 The Orland Fire District urges the “Plan Your Escape” message for our annual Open House which will be held onSept. 24th. The Orland Fire Protection District will host its open house on Saturday, Sept. 24 in anticipation with…

Events, Features, Fire, Government, National, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland

Former Alderman, State Senator Jeremiah Joyce author’s book on Chicago politics, race and more

September 12, 2022September 12, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Former Alderman, State Senator Jeremiah Joyce author’s book on Chicago politics, race and more Former Chicago Alderman and State Senator Jeremiah Joyce has written a compelling book that offers insights not only into Chicago politics but into life growing up in early Chicago, the Irish community, and race relations called “Still Burning.” His stories add…

Blogger, Books & Films, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Features, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland

Two Guys on Politics podcast analyzes failings of Biden’s partisan speech

September 4, 2022September 4, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Two Guys on Politics podcast analyzes failings of Biden’s partisan speech Two Guys on Politics podcast hosts former Congressman Bill Lipinski and former Chicago City Hall reporter Ray Hanania took President Joe Biden to task during their weekly podcast on Sunday Sept. 4, 2022 for using his speech as a political attack against Republicans and…

Baby Boomers, Bill Lipinski, elections, Features, Federal, Government, National, News, Political Pundit, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes

Nichols and colleagues collect bottled water for Jackson residents

September 4, 2022September 4, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Nichols and colleagues collect bottled water for Jackson residents State Rep. Cyril Nicholas, State Sen. Elect Willie Preston, and 18th Ward Alderman Derrick Curtis collected thousands of bottles of water, enough to fill two 18-wheel semi-trucks to help the water-starved residents of Jackson, Mississippi. Nichols, whose 32nd House District includes the 6th Ward, 15th Ward,…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Officials host bottled water donation drive to help residents of Jackson, Mississippi, Saturday Sept. 3, 6 AM to 6 PM

September 2, 2022September 2, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Officials host bottled water donation drive to help residents of Jackson, Mississippi, Saturday Sept. 3, 6 AM to 6 PM State Rep. Cyril Nichols, State Sen. Elect Willie Preston, and 18th Ward Alderman Derrick Curtis are hosting a daylong public water collection event to distribute bottled water to residents of Jackson, Mississippi where the water…

breaking news, Chicago, News

ISBE announces eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price lunch, breakfast, and after-school snacks

September 2, 2022September 2, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

ISBE announces eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price lunch, breakfast, and after-school snacks Families are encouraged to contact their local school for details on accessing free and reduced-price meals With students returning to classrooms across the state, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is announcing the eligibility guidelines for students to receive free and…

Chicago, Education, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes