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

Hastings supports legislation to lower prescription drug costs

Posted on By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Hastings supports legislation to lower prescription drug costs
Hastings supports legislation to lower prescription drug costs

Hastings supports legislation to lower prescription drug costs State Senator Michael E. Hastings is supporting two significant pharmacy bills aimed at protecting patient access to pharmacies and health care services by hospitals engaged in the federal 340B program. “Excessive and flat-out unfair prices are being set on prescription drugs with no accountability,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort)….

Read More “Hastings supports legislation to lower prescription drug costs” »

Baby Boomers, Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Seniors

President Obama Visits Future Obama Presidential Center Chef, Cliff Rome, at His Restaurant Ahead of Opening in 2026

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on President Obama Visits Future Obama Presidential Center Chef, Cliff Rome, at His Restaurant Ahead of Opening in 2026
President Obama Visits Future Obama Presidential Center Chef, Cliff Rome, at His Restaurant Ahead of Opening in 2026

President Obama Visits Future Obama Presidential Center Chef, Cliff Rome, at His Restaurant Ahead of Opening in 2026 President Obama visited Chicago for the past couple of days to discuss planning and details for the Obama Presidential Center, ranging from the dining experience to testing various museum exhibits to touring the museum site. As part…

Read More “President Obama Visits Future Obama Presidential Center Chef, Cliff Rome, at His Restaurant Ahead of Opening in 2026” »

construction, Culture, Federal, National, News, NewsWire, Politics

State GOP Chair Salvi applauds Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on State GOP Chair Salvi applauds Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”
State GOP Chair Salvi applauds Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”

State GOP Chair Salvi applauds Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” passed the House of Representatives with the unwavering support of Illinois Republicans. A big thank you to Congressman Darin LaHood, Congressman Mike Bost, and Congresswoman Mary Miller for their leadership. This landmark legislation locks in key provisions of the Tax Cuts…

Read More “State GOP Chair Salvi applauds Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”” »

Democrat, Economy, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Republican, Taxes

Hastings secures $1.6 million grant for multi-use path in Frankfort

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Hastings secures $1.6 million grant for multi-use path in Frankfort
Hastings secures $1.6 million grant for multi-use path in Frankfort

Hastings secures $1.6 million grant for multi-use path in Frankfort State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced today that his advocacy efforts have led to the successful award of a $1.6 million grant to fund the construction of a new multi-use path in the Village of Frankfort. The grant was awarded under the Illinois Transportation Enhancement…

Read More “Hastings secures $1.6 million grant for multi-use path in Frankfort” »

Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, Senator Michael Hastings

Hastings and Cook County Sheriff’s Office work to streamline missing persons investigations

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Hastings and Cook County Sheriff’s Office work to streamline missing persons investigations
Hastings and Cook County Sheriff’s Office work to streamline missing persons investigations

Hastings and Cook County Sheriff’s Office work to streamline missing persons investigations State Senator Michael E. Hastings and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office are working to improve Illinois’ policy regarding missing persons investigations. “In missing persons cases, every second and small piece of information is paramount,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This legislation works to give law…

Read More “Hastings and Cook County Sheriff’s Office work to streamline missing persons investigations” »

Crime, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, Police, Senator Michael Hastings

The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners
The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners

The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners By Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas After analyzing over 2 million Cook County property tax appeals filed between 2021 and 2023, researchers in my office uncovered a troubling trend: the system shifted nearly $2 billion in…

Read More “The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners” »

Blogger, Commentary, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager
Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager

Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager Mayor Pro Tem announced, Downtown Orland Park development reviewed The Village of Orland Park is pleased to announce the appointment of George Koczwara as Orland Park Village Manager, following a special meeting held on May 12, 2025. Koczwara, who previously served as Orland Park’s Village…

Read More “Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager” »

Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues

Posted on By Ray Hanania No Comments on Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues
Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues

Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues We Won’t Go Back, the latest novel from award-winning author Charlene Wexler, has been published by Speaking Volumes. We Won’t Go Back, the second book of Wexler’s Farewell to South Shore series, is the story of Babs, who lived a pleasant life in a northern suburb…

Read More “Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues” »

Books & Films, Chicago, Culture, Entertainment, News, NewsWire