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

Vallas Endorsed by Mayoral Candidate and Alderman Roderick Sawyer 

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Vallas Endorsed by Mayoral Candidate and Alderman Roderick Sawyer 

Vallas Endorsed by Mayoral Candidate and Alderman Roderick Sawyer  Roderick Sawyer, who ran in the Feb. 28 Chicago Mayoral election, endorses Paul Vallas in Runoff Election, Sawyer joins a growing list of African American leaders to stand with Vallas including former Secretary of State Jesse White and Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. Paul Vallas was endorsed…

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Chicago, Civil Rights, elections, News, Politics

Homer Glen resident celebrates 45 years of service at Palos Hospital

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Homer Glen resident celebrates 45 years of service at Palos Hospital

Homer Glen resident celebrates 45 years of service at Palos Hospital In 1978, Grease premiered in theaters, Van Halen released their debut album, and Palos Hospital hired a medical transcriptionist who was launching a career that has spanned more than four decades. Donna Boonstra, of Homer Glen, recently celebrated her 45-year service anniversary at Northwestern…

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Cook County, Health, News

Tony Award Winner Robert Falls returns to Goodman Theatre to direct his adaptation of “The Cherry Orchard”

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Tony Award Winner Robert Falls returns to Goodman Theatre to direct his adaptation of “The Cherry Orchard”

Tony Award Winner Robert Falls returns to Goodman Theatre to direct his adaptation of “The Cherry Orchard” It’s at once a farewell and a homecoming for Robert Falls, who recently stepped down as Goodman Theatre Artistic Director after 35 years, when his major revival of The Cherry Orchard takes the stage this spring. The production…

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Chicago, Entertainment, Features, News, NewsWire, Theater

This St. Patrick’s Day, Plan Before You Party!

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This St. Patrick’s Day, Plan Before You Party!

This St. Patrick’s Day, Plan Before You Party! Remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in America date back to the country’s founding. All too often, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations turn deadly due to impaired driving. However you celebrate, make to stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day by remembering one important…

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

Valles receives endorsements from education leader Gery Chico and Alderman Walter Burnett

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Valles receives endorsements from education leader Gery Chico and Alderman Walter Burnett

Valles receives endorsements from education leader Gery Chico and Alderman Walter Burnett Former CPS Board President, State Board of Education Chairman Gery Chico backs Vallas. Chicago Walter Burnett of the 27th Ward endorses Paul Vallas in his run-off election April 4, 2023 against rival Brandon Johnson Vallas for Mayor is announcing its second key endorsement…

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Chicago, elections, Government, News, Politics

Former Secretary of State Jesse White Endorses Paul Vallas for Mayor

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Former Secretary of State Jesse White Endorses Paul Vallas for Mayor

Former Secretary of State Jesse White Endorses Paul Vallas for Mayor Venerated Public Servant Says Vallas Will be a Mayor for ALL Chicagoans  Fresh off his first place showing in the Mayoral primary, Paul Vallas is announcing the endorsement of former Illinois Secretary of State and venerated public servant Jesse White. The longest serving Secretary…

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Chicago, elections, Government, News, Politics, Taxes

Orland Fire Protection District “Save Rate” rises to 71 percent

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Orland Fire Protection District “Save Rate” rises to 71 percent

Orland Fire Protection District “Save Rate” rises to 71 percent Fire Chief Schofield emphasizes during lifesaving ceremony that citizens “have a better chance of surviving a heart attack if that heart attack happens in Orland” OFPD, Orland Park — Citizens who experience a heart attack have a significantly increased chance to survive a heart attack…

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Features, Government, Health, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Awards Community-Based Service Providers $25 Million to Address Gun Violence

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Cook County Awards Community-Based Service Providers $25 Million to Address Gun Violence

Cook County Awards Community-Based Service Providers $25 Million to Address Gun Violence IDHS and Cook County Justice Advisory Council partner to expand Anti-Violence Programming in vulnerable communities In response to high levels of gun violence experienced since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois Department of Human Services Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP),…

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Cook County, Crime, News

Orland Park’s Annual Curbside Spring Clean-Up Week of April 10

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Orland Park’s Annual Curbside Spring Clean-Up Week of April 10

Orland Park’s Annual Curbside Spring Clean-Up Week of April 10 Spring is almost here and with it comes the Village of Orland Park’s yearly Curbside Spring Clean-Up. This year’s collection will again be offered on residents’ regular garbage pick-up days during the week of April 10-14, 2023. Orland Park’s Curbside Spring Clean-Up is held in…

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Environment, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Vallas Finishes in First, starts mayoral runoff as clear frontrunner

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Vallas Finishes in First, starts mayoral runoff as clear frontrunner

Vallas Finishes in First, starts mayoral runoff as clear frontrunner Candidate Pledges to be a Mayor for All of Chicago  Paul Vallas is the clear first place finisher in the election for Chicago’s Mayor, with early results showing him far ahead of his nearest opponents. While results will likely not be certified immediately, it is…

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Chicago, elections, News, Politics

Pekau silences accountability to expand his political power

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Pekau silences accountability to expand his political power

Pekau silences accountability to expand his political power By Ray Hanania Mayor Keith Pekau has launched a campaign to silence his critics and expand his power by reducing accountability in Orland Park, the largest municipality between Chicago and Joliet. His most recent effort to expand power is to remove Orland Park from the “confines” of…

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Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Getty celebrates 14 years as Lyons Mayor at packed fundraiser at Gibsons

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Getty celebrates 14 years as Lyons Mayor at packed fundraiser at Gibsons

Getty celebrates 14 years as Lyons Mayor at packed fundraiser at Gibsons By Ray Hanania Honored at a fundraiser on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 for his 14 years as a public official, Lyons Mayor and Lyons Township Supervisor Chris Getty thanked residents and local business owners for their support and cited a range of achievements…

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Cook County, Events, Features, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Jesse White honored by Orland Township Democrats at successful fundraiser

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Jesse White honored by Orland Township Democrats at successful fundraiser

Jesse White honored by Orland Township Democrats at successful fundraiser By Ray Hanania A gathering of the Orland Township Democratic Organization (OTDO) on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, honored the 24-year service of former Secretary of State Jesse White. White expressed his gratitude for the support he has received including from the more than 150 people who attended…

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Cook County, elections, Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

America should stand with Ukraine and set aside internal politics

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America should stand with Ukraine and set aside internal politics

America should stand with Ukraine and set aside internal politics By Ray Hanania The terrorist regime in Tehran, Iran is providing weapons to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Iran is the same nation that supports terrorist militias that have targeted American soldiers who are fighting to eradicate the ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria. And,…

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Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Ukraine

Former Orland Park Asst Village Manager analyzes misguided referendum to eliminate Managerial form of government 

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Former Orland Park Asst Village Manager analyzes misguided referendum to eliminate Managerial form of government 

Former Orland Park Asst Village Manager analyzes misguided referendum to eliminate Managerial form of government  Video of former Orland Park assistant village manager discusses the referendum to eliminate the village managerial form of government proposed by controversial Mayor Keith Pekau. In a political move, Pekau introduced an ordinance to replace the managerial form of government…

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Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park Rotary offering scholarships to graduating seniors

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Orland Park Rotary offering scholarships to graduating seniors

Orland Park Rotary offering scholarships to graduating seniors The Rotary Club of Orland Park is offering scholarships to graduating seniors of area high schools, including students attending parochial schools, who reside within the Orland Park Rotary Club boundaries. The application is open and requires students to complete an online application, upload two reference letters and…

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Education, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

EXCLUSIVE: Pekau has already decided to move ahead and eliminate the Village Manager form of government

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EXCLUSIVE: Pekau has already decided to move ahead and eliminate the Village Manager form of government

EXCLUSIVE: Pekau has already decided to move ahead and eliminate the Village Manager form of government Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau may not wait to find out if the voters agree with him to vote out the Village Managerial Form of Government in the April 4 , 2023 election referendum. He’s already introduced the ordinance…

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Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Why so much emphasis in Illinois on protecting criminals?

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Why so much emphasis in Illinois on protecting criminals?

Why so much emphasis in Illinois on protecting criminals? Protecting criminals seems to be the priority of politicians in Cook County and in Illinois, and Springfield. And, why is Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau such a whining little baby. Pekau has spent his entire term in office personally attacking everyone and anyone, including me, and…

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Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Police, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes