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

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

Vallas announces Democratic Strategist Joe Trippi & Pollster Mark Mellman to join campaign for Chicago Mayor

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

Vallas announces Democratic Strategist Joe Trippi & Pollster Mark Mellman to join campaign for Chicago Mayor Chicago Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas announces the hiring of Joe Trippi as Chief Strategist/Media Advisor and Mark Mellman and The Mellman Group for polling. “Residents and businesses across our city are desperate for a better, safer Chicago. Our fight…

Chicago, elections, News, Politics

Two Defendants in ‘Grandparent Scam’ Network Sentenced for RICO Conspiracy Targeting Elderly Americans

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

Two Defendants in ‘Grandparent Scam’ Network Sentenced for RICO Conspiracy Targeting Elderly Americans Despicable scammers who targeted seniors are arrested, charged and convicted by U.S. Justice Department. The convicted scammers are Timothy Ingram aka “Bleezy,” 30, of North Hollywood, California; and Joaquin Lopez, 46, of Hollywood, Florida. The criminals were convicted of extortion and fraud,…

Baby Boomers, Crime, Federal, Law, National, News, Police, Seniors, Technology

Court victory keeps boy close to his father

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

Court victory keeps boy close to his father When a father gets divorced, it’s usually great if his children live nearby – and that was the situation for an Illinois dad and his 10-year-old son. However, according to court documents, the mother suddenly decided to move with the boy out of state, to North Carolina….

Chicago, Cook County, Jeffery Leving, Law, National, News, NewsWire, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Biden’s student tuition relief will be a tax burden on seniors

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

Biden’s student tuition relief will be a tax burden on seniors By Ray Hanania President Biden announced that he will provide college tuition relief estimated to be between $300 billion and $985 billion, depending on how many people apply. Why only waive debt for students? Why not waive mortgage debt for homeowners? Why not waive…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Education, Government, National, Opinion, rayhanania, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

The Age of the Dinosaurs is Coming Soon to Northwest Indiana’s Family-Fun Farm Park

August 31, 2022August 31, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Age of the Dinosaurs is Coming Soon to Northwest Indiana’s Family-Fun Farm Park Bring your family out for a dino-mite experience as we step back in “tyme” to the Age of the Dinosaurs at Harvest Tyme Family Farm on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. starting August 27 through September 18,…

Entertainment, Features, News, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Support the Orland Township Pet-Pantry T-Shirt Fundraiser

August 31, 2022August 31, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Support the Orland Township Pet-Pantry T-Shirt Fundraiser Orland Township has launched a t-shirt fundraiser for the Orland Township Pet-Pantry, in support of Pet-Palooza’s 10th anniversary. Orland Township has announced that the Pet-Palooza 10th Anniversary t-shirt fundraiser is live, and limited-edition shirts are now available for purchase! The Orland Township Pet Pantry aims to provide food…

Cook County, Events, Government, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland

Stagg Marching Band Pit Crew as efficient as a NASCAR pit stop!

August 31, 2022August 31, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Stagg Marching Band Pit Crew as efficient as a NASCAR pit stop! The team that does a lot of the work to help the Stagg High school band perform works behind the scenes like a NASCAR pit stop. The students are profiled in this feature With well-oiled precision, nearly one dozen Stagg High School Marching…

Cook County, Education, Entertainment, Features, News, Orland Township, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois Tollway names Cassaundra Rouse as Executive Director

August 26, 2022August 26, 2022 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Illinois Tollway names Cassaundra Rouse as Executive Director The Illinois Tollway today announced the promotion of Cassaundra Rouse to Executive Director. Rouse is a longtime veteran of the agency, most recently serving as the agency’s Chief Operating Officer. “I’m pleased to announce that Cassaundra Rouse will be serving as the Tollway’s Executive Director,” said Illinois…

Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

After mother’s death, girls find home with dad

August 26, 2022August 26, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

After mother’s death, girls find home with dad Two little girls, ages 11 and 9, were living with their mother in the Western Suburbs of Chicago, and seeing their father on a regular basis. They had a good relationship with both parents, which is great. Sadly, the mother died a few months ago – and…

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

Stagg High school Pupil Personnel Services Department Earns “Those Who Excel” Recognition

August 25, 2022August 25, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Stagg High school Pupil Personnel Services Department Earns “Those Who Excel” Recognition The Amos Alonzo Stagg High School Pupil Personnel Services Department was recently recognized with a “Those Who Excel” Meritorious Service Award from the Illinois State Board of Education. Those Who Excel recognizes teachers, administrators, teams, volunteers, and school support personnel for their extraordinary…

Education, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland

Overnight closures planned for Roberts Road and 87th Street for Tri-State Tollway (I294) construction work

August 25, 2022August 25, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Overnight closures planned for Roberts Road and 87th Street for Tri-State Tollway (I294) construction work Full intersection closures with detours also needed to safely accommodate bridge beam placement Local road closures, including weekend full intersection closures with detours, have been rescheduled on Roberts Road and 87th Street for August and September to accommodate mainline bridge…

construction, Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Morrison leads Republicans like lemmings off a cliff

August 23, 2022August 24, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Morrison leads Republicans like lemmings off a cliff Cook County Republican Chairman Sean Morrison did what he does best, taking care of himself but failing to help the Cook County Republican organization he is tasked to lead. Seven candidates he slated in a big PR stunt to run in the November elections have either quit…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Opinion, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, women

Casten, Schneider led 50 BiPartisan members advocating for Fair Lead Service line replacement funding

August 22, 2022August 22, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Casten, Schneider led 50 BiPartisan members advocating for Fair Lead Service line replacement funding Last week, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL) and Brad Schneider (D-IL) led 50 Democratic and Republican Representatives in sending a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan urging the agency to allocate Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding…

Federal, Health, News, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Task force announces State Water Plan public meetings

August 22, 2022August 22, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Task force announces State Water Plan public meetings The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will host three public meetings to discuss the state’s ongoing efforts to update the State Water Plan. The hybrid (in-person and virtual) meetings will occur Aug. 24, 25 and 29. The State Water Plan identifies critical water issues facing Illinois…

Events, Flooding, Government, Health, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois Tollway and State Police host kids ID and Safety Seat event in Oak Lawn

August 22, 2022August 22, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Illinois Tollway and State Police host kids ID and Safety Seat event in Oak Lawn The event is a part of Operation Kid 2022 and is August 27 at Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn Continuing Operation Kid 2022, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15 are hosting a Kids Identification and Safety Seat…

Cook County, Events, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Casten Announces Endorsement from Illinois Democratic Congressional Delegation

August 18, 2022August 18, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Casten Announces Endorsement from Illinois Democratic Congressional Delegation U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) announced Thursday August 20, 2022 the endorsements of all 14 members of the Illinois Democratic Congressional Delegation. “I’ve worked hand-in-hand with these dedicated public servants to deliver real results for families in Illinois, and especially here in the 6th District,” said Rep….

breaking news, Cook County, DuPage, elections, Federal, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois Senate Candidate Mike Porfirio Fundraiser Sept. 1, 2022

August 18, 2022August 18, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Senate Candidate Mike Porfirio Fundraiser Sept. 1, 2022 Democrat endorsed candidate for the 11th Illinois Senate District Mike Porfirio will host a fundraiser for his campaign on Thursday September 1, from 6 PM until 9 PM. The fundraiser will be held at Pescadon Banquets, 6254 S. Archer Road in Summit, Illinois. Tickets for the…

Cook County, elections, Events, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland