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

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

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