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 advances measures to simplify subscription cancellations, & fights for stronger oversight of Buy-Now-Pay-Later loans to protect Illinois consumers

March 13, 2026March 13, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings advances measures to simplify subscription cancellations, & fights for stronger oversight of Buy-Now-Pay-Later loans to protect Illinois consumers SPRINGFIELD — Subscription services often make canceling an active subscription difficult and convoluted in order to make customers give up or forget to cancel the service. To combat this practice, State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced…

Business, Economy, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, safety, Technology

Ted Dabrowski cuts through the BS and takes on the biggest drain on property taxes

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ted Dabrowski cuts through the BS and takes on the biggest drain on property taxes By Ray Hanania Ted Dabrowski is one of four candidates running for the Republican nomination for Illinois Governor in the March 17 Republican primary election. But he is the only one who is speaking to the real challenges of fast-rising…

Business, Cook County, Education, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Chinese Telecommunications Company Fined $50 Million for Conspiring to Steal Technology from Motorola Solutions

March 10, 2026March 10, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chinese Telecommunications Company Fined $50 Million for Conspiring to Steal Technology from Motorola Solutions CHICAGO — A federal judge in Chicago has fined a Chinese telecommunications company $50 million for criminally conspiring to steal proprietary technology from Illinois-based Motorola Solutions, Inc. Beginning in 2006, China-based Hytera Communications Corp. LTD recruited and hired Motorola employees and…

Crime, Federal, Law, News, Technology, U.S. Attorney

Hastings calls for regulation on online prediction markets skirting Illinois gambling laws

March 10, 2026March 10, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings calls for regulation on online prediction markets skirting Illinois gambling laws SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is calling for support on legislation aimed at addressing online prediction platforms that allow users to wager money on real world events while avoiding the licensing and oversight required of regulated gambling operators in Illinois. “These…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Law, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Women Leaders Come Together for Fifth Annual 16th District Women’s Power Brunch

March 10, 2026March 10, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Women Leaders Come Together for Fifth Annual 16th District Women’s Power Brunch On Friday, March 6th, the Fifth Annual 16th District Women’s Power Brunch was held to celebrate women leaders throughout the 16th District. The event was hosted by Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar, 16th District Commissioner on Women’s Issues Claudia Ayala, Hillside Mayor…

Cook County, Democrat, Events, Government, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Orland Firefighters extinguish townhome fire Saturday, resident slightly injured

March 10, 2026March 10, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Firefighters extinguish townhome fire Saturday, resident slightly injured Orland Park, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a home fire on the 9100 Block of Greencastle Lane on Saturday afternoon, March 7, 2026, hampered by numerous obstructions officials referred to as “possible hoarding.” One resident was treated for minor injuries. Firefighters with…

Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Police, safety, Suburban Chicagoland

Dad Wins Custody of Son After Terrifying DCFS Call

March 5, 2026March 5, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dad Wins Custody of Son After Terrifying DCFS Call By Laura Reichel An out-of-state dad received a terrifying phone call from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). It was reported that the agency suspected that dad’s ten-year-old son was being neglected by the child’s mother. Dad immediately traveled to Illinois, where the Illinois…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Moderate Jewish Lobby J Street denounces Trump war on Iran

February 28, 2026February 28, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Moderate Jewish Lobby J Street denounces Trump war on Iran J Street President Jeremy Ben Ami released the following statement from J Street, the moderate and powerful voice of peace and mutual recognition for the Jewish people in America, on the war started by President Donald Trump against Iran We are appalled by President Trump’s…

breaking news, Crime, Law, National, News, NewsWire

Sean Casten Statement on US Military Action in Iran

February 28, 2026February 28, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sean Casten Statement on US Military Action in Iran Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement on US military action in Iran: “Iran’s regime is repressive and destabilizing. Its proxies sow chaos across the region. No one disputes that Iran presents serious challenges. Its support for proxy militias, regional interference, and…

Crime, Government, News, Politics, Racism, Religion

Phil Andrew: Attack on Iran Without Congressional Approval Risks American Lives

February 28, 2026February 28, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Phil Andrew: Attack on Iran Without Congressional Approval Risks American Lives Former FBI Agent, Phil Andrew Calls Out Trump Administration For Decisions That Could Ignite Regional Conflict, Demanding Congressional Oversight and Clear Objectives (Buffalo Grove – February 28th, 2026 ) – This morning, Phil Andrew, Candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 9th District and former FBI…

elections, Federal, News, Politics

Video promotion for Richard Boykin candidate for the 7th Congressional District

February 28, 2026February 28, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Video promotion for Richard Boykin candidate for the 7th Congressional District Richard Boykin, a candidate for the 7th Congressional District election to succeed Congressman Danny Davis, released the following promotional video that includes endorsements of some of the region’s most important public servants and community leaders. View the video at the bottom of this report….

elections, Federal, Government, News, NewsWire, Politics

Important News: TIF expert Tom Tresser on the push to fund new Bears stadium with taxpayer money

February 26, 2026February 26, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Important News: TIF expert Tom Tresser on the push to fund new Bears stadium with taxpayer money Important News brings you reporting and commentary that is important to our lives from other writers and news sources. In this post, TIF expert Tom Tresser discusses the downside of the rush to use tax dollars to fund…

Books & Films, Government, Important News, News, NewsWire, Politics, Sports, Taxes

Leving Law Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Identifying Potential Medical Negligence and Catastrophic Injury Claims

February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Law Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Identifying Potential Medical Negligence and Catastrophic Injury Claims By Laura Reichel CHICAGO — The nationally acclaimed Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd. will host the next presentation of the Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar Series on February 25th at 6:30 p.m. CST at 225 W….

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Dads' Rights, Events, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News

Important News: Support Dan Balanoff running for 8th SubCircuit District Judge

February 22, 2026February 22, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Important News: Support Dan Balanoff running for 8th SubCircuit District Judge An important judicial race that you should take the time to support when you vote on March 17, 2026, is that of Dan Balanoff. He’s not a political attorney, but a very competent Estate Planning and Probate Attorney. Make sure to give him your…

elections, Important News, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Ryan Statement on Budget Preparation for More Affordable Illinois Following Budget Address

February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ryan Statement on Budget Preparation for More Affordable Illinois Following Budget Address CHICAGO — Following the budget address delivered by Governor Pritzker on Wednesday, state Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen, is prepared to begin the long process of securing an affordable budget that will lower the cost of living for Illinois families and improve safety in…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Taxes

Hastings reacts to FY 27 budget proposal

February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings reacts to FY 27 budget proposal SPRINGFIELD — After hearing the governor’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) released the following statement: “Our state budget faces real challenges, particularly with uncertainty in federal funding that supports Medicaid and essential services, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program….

Business, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, Politics, Senator Michael Hastings

Senator Cory Booker Endorses Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate

February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Cory Booker Endorses Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today announced he is endorsing Robin Kelly for the U.S. Senate, citing Kelly’s exceptional leadership, proven track record of delivering for Illinois families, and their dedicated partnership tackling gun violence. Kelly’s campaign continues to build momentum with Booker’s endorsement,…

Democrat, elections, Federal, News, NewsWire

Leving Legal Team Protected Falsely Accused Dad: No Jail Time

February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Legal Team Protected Falsely Accused Dad: No Jail Time By Laura Reichel A terrified Chicago father found himself facing one of his biggest nightmares – the loss of his freedom and jail time. Desperate, he called attorney Jeffery Leving to safeguard his liberty and protect his future. The Leving legal team fought for him…

Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, news release