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

District 230 Congratulates National Merit Semi Finalists and Commended

September 28, 2022September 28, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

District 230 Congratulates National Merit Semi Finalists and Commended Twenty-three Consolidated High School District 230 students just made a pretty selective list. They were named 2023 National Merit Semifinalists and Commended students. About 16,000 semifinalists and 34,000 commended students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise, according to information provided by…

Cook County, Education, Features, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Fire Protection District hosts Open House to showcase life saving techniques and equipment

September 25, 2022September 25, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Orland Fire Protection District hosts Open House to showcase life saving techniques and equipment Nearly 500 people attended an open house hosted by the Orland Fire Protection District at the Chief Art Granat, Sr., Training Campus Saturday (Sept. 24, 2022) that featured an up-close look at the techniques firefighters used to respond to emergencies. Demonstrations…

Cook County, Entertainment, Features, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland

Fatherhood symposium set for Oct. 1 in Joliet

September 24, 2022September 24, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Fatherhood symposium set for Oct. 1 in Joliet The Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood, a state board established in 2004 to promote paternal involvement in the upbringing of their children, will present its 2022 annual symposium on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 1:30 p.m. at the Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St., Joliet. The event…

Chicago, Cook County, DuPage, Events, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Will County

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Lakeview co-hosts inaugural Oktoberfest Oct 1 – 2

September 23, 2022September 23, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Lakeview co-hosts inaugural Oktoberfest Oct 1 – 2 Ou Lady of Mount Carmel, in partnership with Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce, announce the inaugural OcktoberFest, October 1 – 2 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Held in the East Parking Lot in Lakeview, Our Lady of Mount…

Chicago, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Features, News

Will County Prosecutor Glasgow files suit against Pritzker’s Safe-T Act

September 22, 2022September 22, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Will County Prosecutor Glasgow files suit against Pritzker’s Safe-T Act The Safe-T Act HB 3653 was pushed through the Illinois General Assembly during the middle of the night in January 2022 in order to ease the punishments against criminals and making law abiding citizens exposed to dangerous criminals. Will County Prosecutor. Pritzker signed the bill …

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, DuPage, Government, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Will County

Pritzker supports criminals and disguises truth about Safe-T Act

September 22, 2022September 22, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker supports criminals and disguises truth about Safe-T Act Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is trying to distort his record of supporting suspects by easing the punishments on criminals. Pritzker, who has close ties to lobbyists who are pouring millions into his campaign coffers, is seeking to build up his image so that he can run…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Features, Government, News, Police, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Casten votes to pass Public Safety package of laws in Congress

September 22, 2022September 22, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Casten votes to pass Public Safety package of laws in Congress Casten votes to pass a package of four Public Safety bills to provide Life-Saving Mental Health services, fund local Law Enforcement, protect victims, and break the cycle of violence Congressman Sean Casten voted on Thursday Sept. 22, 2022 to pass four public safety bills…

Crime, Federal, Health, News, Orland Park, Police, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park Partners with Federal Agency to Address Illegal Firearms

September 22, 2022September 22, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Partners with Federal Agency to Address Illegal Firearms In an effort to combat increasing number of guns recovered within Orland Park, the Orland Park Police Department has entered into a partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In 2021, the Orland Park Police recovered 61 illegally-possessed guns, leading to…

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

CLE at Leving firm to focus on excluding therapist testimony in family law cases

September 21, 2022September 21, 2022 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

CLE at Leving firm to focus on excluding therapist testimony in family law cases The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. will host the next presentation of the Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar Series on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. CDT at 19 S. LaSalle St. in Chicago. Attorney Michael…

Chicago, Education, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Safe-T Act law being exaggerated by both far Right and Left

September 21, 2022September 21, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Safe-T Act law being exaggerated by both far Right and Left Democrats have undermined their fight against crime with the confusing and unexplained Safe-T Act. The November 8 election come down to two powerful issues, Roe v Wade for Democrats, and the Safe-T Act for Republicans. The Republican fight against crime has counterbalanced the Democrat…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Crime, elections, Features, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Sean Casten Releases several Digital campaign Ads on Reproductive Rights and healthcare

September 21, 2022April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sean Casten Releases several Digital campaign Ads on Reproductive Rights and healthcare Congressman Sean Casten releases a series of Ads promoting his re-election bid in the new 6th Congressional District, affirming support for Women’s Rights and healthcare basics. Casten is also addressing the issue of flooding in the suburbs U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) released…

elections, Federal, Flooding, Health, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Fight The Flu at Orland Township

September 20, 2022September 20, 2022 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Fight The Flu at Orland Township Flu Shot Clinics are starting at the Township again in September. At Orland Township residents will have the opportunity to receive their seasonal flu-shots on select days in the coming months. Starting on September 21st, Orland Township residents will have the opportunity to receive their seasonal flu-shots on select…

Events, Government, Health, News, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Justice Advisory Council to Host Information Session on the Funding Opportunity

September 20, 2022September 20, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Justice Advisory Council to Host Information Session on the Funding Opportunity Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar Encourages Application for $5 Million in Funding for Domestic Violence Intervention and Support Services Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Justice Advisory Council (JAC) announced an American Rescue Plan Act funded initiative to…

Chicago, Cook County, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Highway Commissioner Rubino Supports Cell Phone For Seniors Program

September 20, 2022September 20, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Highway Commissioner Rubino Supports Cell Phone For Seniors Program Highway Department to be a collection site Do you have an old cell phone that sits in a drawer in your kitchen or on a shelf in your closet at home? Then it is time to clear the clutter and head to the Highway Department. Highway…

Cook County, Environment, Government, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland, Technology

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…

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