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

Foster, Durbin, Duckworth introduce resolution to name Fermilab Research Center after renowned physicist Dr. Helen Edwards

February 3, 2023February 3, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Foster, Durbin, Duckworth introduce resolution to name Fermilab Research Center after renowned physicist Dr. Helen Edwards Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), and Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced on Friday February 3, 2023 that they introduced a bicameral resolution to rename Fermilab’s Integrated Engineering Research Center (IERC) after the…

Features, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Technology

Sheriff Dart Warns Public of Phone Scam

February 3, 2023February 3, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sheriff Dart Warns Public of Phone Scam Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart is warning of a telephone scam where a caller identifying as a Sheriff’s Office employee tells victims they must pay a large fine for missing court or they will go to jail. The caller tells the victim to pay the fine using…

Baby Boomers, Crime, News, Police, Seniors, Technology

How to have a great Middle Eastern meal in Orland Park area

January 31, 2023December 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

How to have a great Middle Eastern meal in Orland Park area This a “How To” for Americans interested in experiencing the exotic and exciting flavors of Middle East and Arab foods. A lot of Americans ask me all the time how to enjoy a great Arab and Middle Eastern meal and I am happy…

Culture, Entertainment, Features, food, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Orland Township, rayhanania, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Review, Suburban Chicagoland

D230 students win prestigious art awards

January 26, 2023January 26, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

D230 students win prestigious art awards Recently, 24 Consolidated High School District student artists competed against students from dozens of high schools in their Regional Scholastic Arts competitions. Sandburg Eagles entered 43 individual works (drawings, photography, digital images, and paintings) and five portfolios for the regional competition, which adjudicated nearly 84 portfolios and 2246 individual…

Education, Entertainment, Features, News, Photos, Suburban Chicagoland

Alderman Raymond Lopez would have made a great mayor

January 26, 2023February 3, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Alderman Raymond Lopez would have made a great mayor Chicago Ald. Raymond Lopez is running for re-election as alderman of the 15th Ward. He considered running for mayor but decided that he would step down from that candidacy to not weaken other candidates seeking to oust the incompetent and racist Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Lopez…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Crime, Education, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Hurley Named Chair of Police and Fire Committee

January 25, 2023January 25, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hurley Named Chair of Police and Fire Committee State Rep. Fran Hurley will continue to serve as chair of the House Police and Fire Committee in the 103rd General Assembly, carrying on her mission of advocating for and supporting first responders. “Now more than ever, it’s important that Springfield prioritizes our police officers, firefighters and…

Cook County, DuPage, Fire, News, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Announces Call for Transportation and Community Grant Program Applications

January 23, 2023January 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Announces Call for Transportation and Community Grant Program Applications Applications are now open for programs that promote economic development, public services and transportation improvements throughout the County The Cook County Board of Commissioners and President Toni Preckwinkle announced a call for applications for the Department of Transportation and Highway’s (DoTH) “Invest in Cook” grant…

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

New Secretary of State reaffirms rejection of inappropriate license plates

January 23, 2023January 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

New Secretary of State reaffirms rejection of inappropriate license plates Secretary of State Giannoulias reveals rejected vanity plates in 2022 Small percentage prohibited for violating the state’s vehicle code There will be no PEEPEE, SUKIT or DUCKYOU for Illinois drivers. Those are just a few of the nearly 400 requests for vanity and personalized license…

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

Arrest and Criminal Charges Announced Against British and Russian Businessmen for Facilitating Sanctions Evasion of Russian Oligarch’s $90 Million Yacht

January 23, 2023January 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arrest and Criminal Charges Announced Against British and Russian Businessmen for Facilitating Sanctions Evasion of Russian Oligarch’s $90 Million Yacht Yacht Previously Seized and One Subject Arrested Today by Spain at Request of United States Two businessmen, Vladislav Osipov, 51, a Russian national, and Richard Masters, 52, a United Kingdom national, are charged in separate…

Crime, Federal, Law, News, Ukraine

Chicago Man Convicted of Participating in Illegal Kickback Conspiracy

January 23, 2023January 23, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Man Convicted of Participating in Illegal Kickback Conspiracy A federal jury in the Northern District of Illinois convicted a Chicago man yesterday for participating in a conspiracy to pay approximately $25 million in illegal kickbacks to generate business for his durable medical equipment pharmacy. According to evidence presented at trial, Mark Sorensen, 53, worked…

Chicago, Crime, Federal, Health, National, News, Police, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland

Father dispossessed of his children, and apparently alienated, gains their return to Illinois

January 21, 2023January 21, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Father dispossessed of his children, and apparently alienated, gains their return to Illinois A father had two little boys, ages 9 and 6. Unfortunately, he recently broke up with their mother. Last summer, the mother took the children to her family’s home in Mississippi. The dad thought they were on vacation, but when school started…

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

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas refunding more than $47 million to homeowners

January 19, 2023January 19, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas refunding more than $47 million to homeowners More than 53,000 property owners who overpaid their First Installment taxes last year will automatically get back more than $47 million in refunds starting this week. “If you have a refund coming, we’ll find you and return your money,” Pappas said. “By putting…

Cook County, Government, News, Taxes

Buckner unveils plan to help businesses and strengthen job

January 19, 2023January 19, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Buckner unveils plan to help businesses and strengthen job Kam Buckner releases Economic Opportunity & Recovery Plan prioritizing business development, jobs & training programs & investing more in neighborhoods that need it Continuing to far outpace his rivals, candidate for mayor Kam Buckner today released his ninth policy plan, proving once again that he is…

Business, Chicago, News

Buckner slams Garcia, Johnson and Lightfoot for Crypto hypocrisies, supports probes

January 18, 2023January 18, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Buckner slams Garcia, Johnson and Lightfoot for Crypto hypocrisies, supports probes Kam Buckner Slams Chuy García, Brandon Johnson & Mayor Lightfoot for Crypto Cop-outs, Supports City Council Resolution for Investigation Into Crypto Fraud Victims of crypto fraud held a press conference Wednesday with Ald. Byron Sigcho- Lopez (25th) as he introduced a resolution for the…

Chicago, Cook County, elections, Government, News, Politics

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias releases comprehensive Transition Team report

January 17, 2023January 17, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias releases comprehensive Transition Team report Report serves as a road map to modernize the office, transform operations, and upgrade services Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias today released his Transition Team’s report that will serve as a blueprint for modernizing the office, transforming operations and expanding services to best serve…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Field Museum Welcomes Green Activist Naomi Davis to Kick off Black History Month Events

January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Field Museum Welcomes Green Activist Naomi Davis to Kick off Black History Month Events February events include dance performances and a behind-the-scenes look at Africa collections A talk with “The Queen of Green” Naomi Davis will launch a month of events at the Field Museum celebrating Black History Month. The schedule includes panels, performances, and…

News

Pritzker’s assault weapons ban not enough to make law abiding citizens safe

January 16, 2023February 3, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Pritzker’s assault weapons ban not enough to make law abiding citizens safe Pritzker’s assault weapons ban is not about making law abiding citizens safer, but rather appealing to his voter constituency and the far left which seeks to decriminalize accountability for criminals while holding police to a higher standard. The assault weapons ban basically takes…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Vallas urges probe in Lightfoot’s CPD scandal and accuses of Congressman Garcia of being AWOL from Chicagoland needs

January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Vallas urges probe in Lightfoot’s CPD scandal and accuses of Congressman Garcia of being AWOL from Chicagoland needs Chicago Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas calls for broader investigation into Mayor Lightfoot’s misuse of City Resources after new revelation on CPD Deployment. CPD Exempt Officers were ordered to go Door to Door instead of Doing Police Work. And…

Chicago, elections, Government, News, Politics, Taxes