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

Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown

May 7, 2022May 7, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown Lightfoot shuts down Arab and Muslims businesses when crimes are committed near them but she doesn’t shutdown stores owned by other racial groups. Last summer, 150 Arab and Muslim stores were closed by a Task Force that based its criteria solely on racism…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Government, News, Police, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Taxes

Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters

May 6, 2022May 6, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in John and Chloe Clayborn’s Lincoln Park living room — one “go bag” for each of them. The Clayborns leave nothing to chance when it comes to their safety. “We don’t…

Features, Health, National, News, NewsWire

Dad gains sole custody to protect son from reported abuse

May 5, 2022May 5, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dad gains sole custody to protect son from reported abuse The father of an 11-year-old boy almost lost his at-risk son, until he went to court and gained sole custody. Attorney Jeffery M. Leving, who represented the father, fought for him and won, will talk about the case on his weekly radio show, the Dads…

Chicago, Features, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Governor Pritzker joins Secretary Pete Buttigieg for ribbon cutting at Joliet Gateway Center’s new Pace bus facility

May 4, 2022May 4, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Governor Pritzker joins Secretary Pete Buttigieg for ribbon cutting at Joliet Gateway Center’s new Pace bus facility Governor Pritzker, United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Congressman Bill Foster, and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) were joined by local and regional transportation officials today to formally open the final phase of the Joliet Gateway…

Government, News, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Casten and Newman vow to find to defend Roe vs Wade federal ruling

May 4, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Casten and Newman vow to find to defend Roe vs Wade federal ruling The two Democratic incumbents forced to battle each other by the Democratic Party redistricting in the new 6th Congressional District both issued statements defending the rights of women to abortion and vowed to fight to defend the federal Roe vs Wade legal…

Health, Law, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Shestokas adds law and order professionals to his campaign for Illinois Attorney General

May 4, 2022May 4, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Shestokas adds law and order professionals to his campaign for Illinois Attorney General Former Illinois State Police Lt. Col Terry Lemming and noted criminal prosecutor Christopher E.K. Pfannkuche will join the campaign committee advising and supporting David Shestokas who is running as a Republicans for Illinois Attorney General. “I am pledging to the people of…

elections, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police

May 3, 2022May 4, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police Ray Hanania’s The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022, satire and opinion on politics across America and Around the world, lampooning political hypocrisy. Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau attacks anyone who challenges his assertions and if they question his statements on…

Blogger, Comic Strip, Commentary, Crime, Entertainment, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Orland Township, Police, rayhanania

Chicago Wolves sweep AH regular season awards

May 1, 2022May 1, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves sweep AH regular season awards Poturalski, Noesen, Lyon honored to highlight league’s best team. The American Hockey League announced Sunday that Chicago Wolves forwards Andrew Poturalski and Stefan Noesen and goaltender Alex Lyon earned prestigious honors while helping the Wolves claim the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the league’s regular-season champions. The American Hockey…

Chicago, Entertainment, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Moore endorsed for Secretary of State by U.S. Rep. Davis and former Alderman Simpson

April 30, 2022April 30, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Moore endorsed for Secretary of State by U.S. Rep. Davis and former Alderman Simpson David Moore Receives the Endorsements of U.S. Rep. Danny Davis and former Chicago Alderman Dick Simpson for His Record of Integrity and Good Government Secretary of State Candidate David Moore is proud to receive the endorsements of two people who are…

elections, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Transportation

Finally an Arab Restaurant in Orland Park Americans will love

April 29, 2022October 27, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Finally an Arab Restaurant in Orland Park Americans will love One of the best Arab American restaurants in the Southwest suburbs and in Orland Park, the heart of the Arab community, is Zwar at 9328 W. 159th Street. Zwar offers the best tasting Middle Eastern food items that you can order. By Ray Hanania Americans…

Entertainment, Features, food, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

6th Congressional District Candidate Grasso Hits Airwaves with “Family First” Commercial

April 29, 2022April 29, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

6th Congressional District Candidate Grasso Hits Airwaves with “Family First” Commercial Candidate for the 6th Congressional District and Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso released his first campaign commercial introducing himself and his “family first” values. The spot will air on both digital channels and cable zones within the 6th Congressional District. “The spot highlights the…

Cook County, DuPage, elections, Federal, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Building Trades Career Fair offers opportunities for students

April 29, 2022April 29, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Building Trades Career Fair offers opportunities for students Dozens of students and community members were given firsthand demonstrations on career opportunities in the building trades at the Worth Township Career Fair. Township Clerk Eamon McMahon and the Worth Township Community Development Board arranged for the Construction Industry Service Corporation, and the Chicago and Cook County…

Business, Education, Features, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Muhammad Ali Center, Metro United Way partner for Greatest Give Back

April 29, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Muhammad Ali Center, Metro United Way partner for Greatest Give Back Event is Part of Ali Festival 2022. Offering Community Service Opportunity to Highlight Ali’s Spirit of Giving Muhammad Ali won 37 fights by knockout in his illustrious career, and in his honor the Muhammad Ali Center and Metro United Way are teaming up to…

Events, Features, National, News, Sports

Rep. Casten Votes to Establish Process for Confiscating Russian Oligarchs’ Assets, Funding Ukraine Reconstruction

April 29, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Rep. Casten Votes to Establish Process for Confiscating Russian Oligarchs’ Assets, Funding Ukraine Reconstruction U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) voted to establish a constitutional process for seizing the assets of corrupt Russian oligarchs to support the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. The Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act directs the federal government to take steps toward…

Federal, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Wolves wrap up home schedule in style

April 29, 2022April 29, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves wrap up home schedule in style All-Stars Poturalski and Noesen score in third and Drury posts two goals Hours after being named to the AHL’s First All-Star Team, Andrew Poturalski and Stefan Noesen both scored during a four-goal third period as the Chicago Wolves earned a 6-3 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins…

Chicago, Cook County, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Crime is down for everyone but Pekau, he claims

April 29, 2022April 29, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Crime is down for everyone but Pekau, he claims Politicians love to manipulate crime statistics to boost their chances for re-election and Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, who is running an incredulous race for Congress in the new 6th District, is no different. Pekau asserts that crime is down because of his policies and falsely…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, elections, Federal, Opinion, Orland Park, Orland Township, Police, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Cicero Police and Illinois State police announce murder charges against two suspects in three homicides

April 28, 2022April 28, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Cicero Police and Illinois State police announce murder charges against two suspects in three homicides Officials of the Cicero Police and the Illinois State police said they have formally charged two individuals, an adult and a juvenile, with First Degree Murder involving two separate incidents where three people were killed. Joseph Guzman, 20, a Cicero…

Crime, Law, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Two police officers, one firefighter injured in Orland Park house fire

April 27, 2022April 27, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Two police officers, one firefighter injured in Orland Park house fire Two Orland Park Police officers and one Orland Fire Protection District firefighter were injured Tuesday night (April 26, 2022) while responding to a house fire in the 8200 block of Legend Lane in Orland Park. The police officers were treated for smoke inhalation and…

Fire, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, Police, Suburban Chicagoland