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

Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley High Schools Take Top Spots in Statewide Financial Literacy Contest, Win Bright Start College Savings Scholarships

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley High Schools Take Top Spots in Statewide Financial Literacy Contest, Win Bright Start College Savings Scholarships Treasurer Michael Frerichs Hosts 2026 Illinois Personal Finance Challenge. VIDEO is available CLICK HER A team of four students from Naperville Central High School will compete in the National Personal Finance Challenge in Atlanta, Georgia,…

Education, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, youth

Welch, House Democrats Advance Measure Enshrining Voting Rights Act in State Constitution

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Welch, House Democrats Advance Measure Enshrining Voting Rights Act in State Constitution Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and House Democrats are standing up to Washington’s attacks on voting rights by advancing a state constitutional amendment ensuring every person’s voice is heard—guaranteeing these rights in Illinois ahead of an anticipated Supreme Court ruling gutting the…

Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire

Armed illegal alien who re-entered country arrested and charged second time

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Armed illegal alien who re-entered country arrested and charged second time Illegal Alien Who Possessed a Dangerous Weapon in Cook County Jail and Committed an Attempted Vehicular Hijacking Indicted for Allegedly Unlawfully Re-Entering United States after Deportation An illegal alien who resided in a Chicago suburb has been indicted on a federal immigration charge for…

Crime, Federal, News, NewsWire, U.S. Attorney

Leving Team’s Victory Safeguarded the Future of Two Young Girls

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team’s Victory Safeguarded the Future of Two Young Girls By Laura Reichel Every child deserves stability, security, and the financial support necessary to grow and thrive. Yet too often, that foundation is threatened. In this case, two young girls were at risk of being denied the support they deserved and needed until the Leving…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Orland Fire announces May 10 registration date for Kid Camp and Junior Cadet programs

April 23, 2026April 23, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire announces May 10 registration date for Kid Camp and Junior Cadet programs The Orland Fire Protection District released the scheduled dates for the popular Kids Camp (Monday, June 15) and the Junior Cadet program (Tuesday, June 16), and urges interested parents to mark their calendars for the events and for the required registration….

Events, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Hills, Orland Park, youth

Leving Matrimonial Law Firm Seminar: Mental Health Experts and Client Communication Strategies in Divorce

April 22, 2026April 22, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Matrimonial Law Firm Seminar: Mental Health Experts and Client Communication Strategies in Divorce By Laura Reichel The nationally acclaimed Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd. will host the next presentation of the Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar Series on April 23rd at 6:30 p.m. CDT at 225 W. Wacker Drive…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Dads' Rights, Events, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Nothing Bundt Cakes® Celebrates Mother’s Day with #NothingBundtMomSweepstakes and $4,000 Grand Prize

April 21, 2026April 21, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Nothing Bundt Cakes® Celebrates Mother’s Day with #NothingBundtMomSweepstakes and $4,000 Grand Prize ‘America’s No. 1 food brand’ gives fans the opportunity to win while Strawberry Cheesecake Swirl and new gifting options make Mom’s month even more special Nothing Bundt Cakes is honoring Mom all season long with the launch of its #NothingBundtMomSweepstakes*, offering fans the…

Business, food, News, NewsWire

Senator Michael Hastings: “Storm chasers” have no place in Illinois

April 17, 2026April 17, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings: “Storm chasers” have no place in Illinois State Senator Michael E. Hastings passed legislation through the Senate aimed at protecting Illinois homeowners from deceptive and high pressure contractor practices that often follow severe weather and natural disasters. “In light of some tragic storms in the area, we need to protect Illinois’ residents,”…

Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Weather

Northwestern Medicine Volunteers Provide Compassion and Service, Impacting the Lives of those who Give and Receive Care

April 16, 2026April 16, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Northwestern Medicine Volunteers Provide Compassion and Service, Impacting the Lives of those who Give and Receive Care For National Volunteers Week, Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Celebrates its Volunteers, Aims to Expand its Volunteer Network For 50 years, National Volunteer Week, held during the third week of April, has recognized the generosity and tireless dedication…

Health, News, NewsWire

Hastings supports updating online harassment law

April 16, 2026April 16, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings supports updating online harassment law In Illinois, law enforcement officers and prosecutors who charge suspects accused of harassment need updates to the law to reflect today’s use of technology. State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting legislation to reflect the realities of how offenses are being committed in the present day. “The world is…

Crime, Illinois Legislature, Law, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Politics, Technology

Leving Team Saved Dad’s Relationship with Son

April 16, 2026April 16, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team Saved Dad’s Relationship with Son By Laura Reichel A devoted dad was horrified to discover that his ex had filed a Petition for an Order of Protection against him – seeking to cut him out of his son’s life. She accused him of stalking her, physically abusing her and so much more. The…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas: Thirty Years of Runaway Property Taxes Demand Action

April 13, 2026April 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas: Thirty Years of Runaway Property Taxes Demand Action By Maria Pappas Since I came into this office in 1998, there’s been one constant, the inexorable rise of property tax bills. To better understand why, my office conducted a 30-year analysis of property tax data. The findings…

Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Leving Court Victory Restored Dad in His Children’s Lives

April 9, 2026April 9, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Court Victory Restored Dad in His Children’s Lives By Laura Reichel Every child deserves the love, safety, and stability that comes from having an involved father. Unfortunately for one devoted dad, he had been denied parenting time with his daughters and feared losing the bond he cherished most. Terrified that he would lose his…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Radio

Ryan Bill Expands Reduced Fee Services for Seniors and Illinoisans with Disabilities

April 9, 2026April 9, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ryan Bill Expands Reduced Fee Services for Seniors and Illinoisans with Disabilities State Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, is sponsoring a bill to expand assistance for Illinois seniors and residents who have a disability by lowering the income eligibility threshold for certain state services at reduced fees. “This is an excellent program that makes registering…

Baby Boomers, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Seniors

Illegal Alien Facing State Murder Charge Now Charged in Federal Court With Illegally Possessing Firearm in Chicago

April 9, 2026April 9, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illegal Alien Facing State Murder Charge Now Charged in Federal Court With Illegally Possessing Firearm in Chicago CHICAGO — An illegal alien unlawfully residing in the United States, who is charged in state court with murdering an 18-year-old Loyola University student, was charged today in federal court with illegally possessing a firearm in Chicago. JOSE…

Crime, Federal, immigrant, Law, News, NewsWire, U.S. Attorney

Former Executive of Chicago-Area Non-Profits Sentenced to Federal Prison for $1.9 Million Fraud Schemes

April 9, 2026April 9, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Former Executive of Chicago-Area Non-Profits Sentenced to Federal Prison for $1.9 Million Fraud Schemes CHICAGO — A former executive of Chicago-area non-profit organizations has been sentenced to a year in federal prison for misappropriating nearly $1.9 million through a pair of fraud schemes. BARBARA HARRIS served as the Executive Director of the Center for Community…

Crime, Federal, Law, News, U.S. Attorney

Orland Mayor Dodge blasts lies by former Mayor Pekau

April 7, 2026April 7, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Mayor Dodge blasts lies by former Mayor Pekau Mayor Dodge Statement Following Attack on the Integrity of Public Safety Officials. Lies and distortions by Pekau have been repeated by local media, such as the false claims Mike Henry was “not detained” as a result of the Illinois State Police political raid, or that columnist…

Law, News, news release, NewsWire, Orland Park, Police, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Lipinski and Hanania debate, discuss Trump War on Iran, abandoning Ukraine, misunderstanding Birthright and 14th Amendment

April 4, 2026April 4, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski and Hanania debate, discuss Trump War on Iran, abandoning Ukraine, misunderstanding Birthright and 14th Amendment Two Guys on Politics podcasters Ray Hanania and Bill Lipinski discussed President Trump’s speech on the Iran war, expressing disappointment with its lack of new information and strategic direction. They debated the merits and concerns of the ongoing Iran…

Bill Lipinski, elections, Federal, Government, Health, immigrant, Law, News, NewsWire, Podcast, Politics, Radio, rayhanania, Republican, Taxes