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

Maria Pappas: Your Cook County property tax bill is online now

November 15, 2022November 15, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Maria Pappas: Your Cook County property tax bill is online now Cook County’s Second Installment property tax bills have been posted at cookcountytreasurer.com, where bills can be viewed, downloaded and paid with no added surcharge. “My office has finally received the figures to print 1.8 million property tax bills,” said Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas….

Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Orland Fire District meeting helps Seniors cope with winter

November 15, 2022November 16, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire District meeting helps Seniors cope with winter Orland Park — The Orland Fire Protection District will host a “Coffee & Conversation” meeting this week to help seniors adjust to the winter months and in December discuss their insurance needs. The program, “Seasonal Survival Guide for the Seniors” will be led by retired Lieutenant…

Baby Boomers, Events, Features, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland

New, improved Weber Road and interchange opened, celebrated in Will County

November 14, 2022November 14, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

New, improved Weber Road and interchange opened, celebrated in Will County Romeoville, Bolingbrook project improves safety, mobility, quality of life The Illinois Department of Transportation was joined today by officials and community leaders in Romeoville, Bolingbrook and Will County to celebrate the completion of the new-and-improved Weber Road interchange, part of a $96.7 million investment…

DuPage, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Illinois Tollway to host Financial Planning event for small businesses

November 14, 2022November 14, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Tollway to host Financial Planning event for small businesses Registration now open with presentations and resources from leading financial institutions on financial best practices, access to capital, and small business growth strategies The Illinois Tollway is hosting a Building the Road to Success: Financial Planning for Small Businesses event in Chicago this week to…

Business, Chicago, News, NewsWire, Transportation

Illinois Supreme Court appoints Melissa Presser as Resident Judge in Pope County

November 14, 2022November 14, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Supreme Court appoints Melissa Presser as Resident Judge in Pope County Justice David K. Overstreet and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Melissa Presser as a Resident Circuit Judge for Pope County in the First Judicial Circuit. Ms. Presser is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of…

Law, News, NewsWire

Orland Township hosts the annual Township Tinsel Home Decorating Contest

November 14, 2022November 14, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township hosts the annual Township Tinsel Home Decorating Contest Think you have the most festive house on the block? Then Orland Township has the contest for you! Supervisor Paul O’Grady will host Orland Township’s first annual Township Tinsel Holiday Home Decorating Contest where residents can enter to win a prize for having the best…

News, Orland Park, Orland Township

16 members of St. Ignatius Hockey team injured, truck drive faces DUI charges

November 13, 2022November 13, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

16 St. Ignatius Hockey team members injured, truck drive faces DUI charges Truck crash injures St. Ignatius Hockey team; Truck driver taken into custody with DUI Charges pending; Driver’s record and knowledge of company executives may become critical issue At least 16 members of the St. Ignatius Prep High School junior varsity hockey team were…

Crime, News, NewsWire, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Now that the election is over, we need to bring America together

November 13, 2022November 13, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Right from the Middle: Now that the election is over, we need to bring America together With Midterm elections nearly completed, it time that Americans start looking for more moderate voices to represent them in politics and avoid the far Right and the far Left. The polarization in American is destruction to the country By…

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Commentary, elections, Opinion, Politics

My favorite southwest suburban restaurants with political spice

November 13, 2022December 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

My favorite southwest suburban restaurants with political spice Political columnist Ray Hanania takes you on a quick tour of some of his favorite politically flavored restaurants in the Chicagoland Suburbs, when you can’t go to Manny’s Deli in Chicago’s South Loop. JC’s Pub & Ristorante, Bucks Pit Stop, and JC Georges are the best with…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Order of protection keeps dad from his daughters until he fights in court and wins

November 9, 2022November 9, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Order of protection keeps dad from his daughters until he fights in court and wins A father is going through a divorce, which is always difficult, says Fathers’ Rights attorney Jeffery M. Leving, who has been through a divorce himself. He has to worry about maintaining his relationship with his children and he has to…

Chicago, Civil Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, NewsWire, Radio, Suburban Chicagoland

Rep. Sean Casten Declares Victory in Illinois 6th District

November 8, 2022April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rep. Sean Casten declares victory in Illinois 6th District Democrat Sean Casten defeated a challenge from extremist Republican Keith Pekau in Tuesday’s Midterm election. Although Republicans were sweeping elections around the country, taking control of the U.S. House from Democrats — and possibly taking control of the U.S. Senate, although that has yet to be…

Cook County, DuPage, elections, Government, National, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park Home fire, Avenida Del Este Monday evening, Nov. 7, 2022

November 8, 2022November 8, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Orland Park Home fire, Avenida Del Este Monday evening, Nov. 7, 2022 Fire believed to have begun in shed spread quickly to the adjacent home in Orland Park on Monday evening, Nov. 7, 2022. Neighbor alerts homeowner as the fire spread. No injuries reported. The Orland Fire District responded at 10:41 PM to a 911…

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

USS Chicago returns home from final deployment

November 7, 2022November 7, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

USS Chicago returns home from Final Deployment From Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following a seven-month deployment, Nov. 2, 2022. It was the submarine’s final deployment before decommissioning, which is scheduled to begin in…

Chicago, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Bolingbrook native becomes member of elite Navy Honor Guard

November 7, 2022November 7, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bolingbrook native becomes member of elite Navy Honor Guard By Stephanie Fox A native of Bolingbrook, Illinois, recently completed an intensive 10-week training program to become a member of the elite U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard. Airman Rodrigo Godinez, a 2022 Downers Grove South High School graduate, joined the Navy six months ago. Today, Godinez serves…

News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

State indicated dad neglected child, but he wins appeal, clearing his name

November 3, 2022November 3, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

State indicated dad neglected child, but he wins appeal, clearing his name Fathers’ Rights attorney Jeffery M. Leving will tell listeners to his weekly radio show about a decision his legal team won from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in favor of a father his firm represented. “I believe there is little…

Chicago, Cook County, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Radio

Good and bad choices in the November 8 General Election

November 2, 2022April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Good and bad choices in the November 8 General Election Here are some of the candidates running in the Illinois November 8, 2022 General Election that award-winning political election columnist Ray Hanania believes you should support and reject when you vote on November 8, 2022. By Ray Hanania Which issue is more important November 8,…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Keeping a close eye on China and semiconductor production

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

Right from the Middle: Keeping a close eye on China and semiconductor production By William O. Lipinski I am extremely happy to see, besides aiding and assisting Ukraine in so many ways in their gallant defense against Russia, Our Land of Liberty is keeping an eye on our real dangerous adversary China. One area where…

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Commentary, Federal, Government, Opinion, Politics, Technology

Senior Social Security gets thrown under Illinois & US bus

October 29, 2022February 4, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Senior Social Security gets thrown under Illinois & US bus Although politicians in the Republican and Democratic Party pander to the senior vote, the Democrats did the most damage to the Social Security system fear mongering that if they don’t impose changes the system will collapse. But if the system were to collapse, it is…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Government, Health, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Taxes, Veterans