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

Chicago Faith leaders protest prison treatment at Stateville Correctional

December 7, 2021December 7, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Chicago Faith leaders protest prison treatment at Stateville Correctional Press conference: Tuesday, December 7, 2021, 9am What: Faith and Community leaders prayer vigil and water caravan Where: Beginning at Trinity United Church of Christ (400 W 95th St, Chicago, IL 60628) and ending at Stateville Correctional Center Maximum Security Prison (16830 IL-53, Crest Hill, IL…

Chicago, Crime, General Topics, Law, News, Police, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Bloomington Illinois Navy Student Recognized for Excellence by Air Force

December 7, 2021December 7, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bloomington Illinois Navy Student Recognized for Excellence by Air Force Bloomington Illinois Sailor earns Air Force 316th Training Squadron’s Student of the Month By Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Jason Sikora GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – The 316th Training Squadron at Goodfellow Air Force Base holds a student of the month competition with more…

Features, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Congresswoman Marie Newman endorsed by powerful Amalgamated Transit Union Illinois Local 308 and 241

December 6, 2021December 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Congresswoman Marie Newman endorsed by powerful Amalgamated Transit Union Illinois Local 308 and 241 Congresswoman Marie Newman announced Monday Dec. 6, 2021 that she had received the endorsement of the Amalgamated Transit Union Illinois (ATU), ATU Local 308, and ATU Local 241. The Amalgamated Transit Union is the largest labor union representing transit and allied…

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

Senator Hastings hosts Christmas Casino Night Dec. 16

December 6, 2021December 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Hastings hosts Christmas Casino Night Dec. 16 Please join State Senator Michael Hastings at a Christmas Casino Night fundraiser in support of Senator Michael E. Hastings on Thursday, December 16th at 6:00 PM at Georgio’s Banquets in Orland Park. For questions or to RSVP please contact Kelly at [email protected] or register onlineHERE. We look forward…

Cook County, elections, Entertainment, Events, Government, News, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland

Video of Village of Lyons dedication of Firefighter Memorial

December 6, 2021December 6, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Video of Village of Lyons dedication of Firefighter Memorial The Village of Lyons and Lyons Township joined regional and local officials to dedicate the new Firefighter Memorial on Nov. 28, 2021. A red-brick memorial topped with a firefighter’s helmet and sitting outside the fire station, 4043 Joliet Ave., was dedicated on Nov. 28. About 200…

Cook County, Features, Fire, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Holiday Donation Drive-thru Tuesday Dec. 7, Bingo with Santa Dec. 10

December 6, 2021December 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Holiday Donation Drive-thru Tuesday Dec. 7, Bingo with Santa Dec. 10 For over 30 years, Orland Township has provided a yearly holiday meal, gifts, and other personal items to more than 200 families who are experiencing financial difficulties; with a majority of the recipients being clients of the Orland Township Food Pantry. Whether you’re donating…

Cook County, Entertainment, Events, Features, News, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland

Lakeview East Chamber presents Chicagoland’s largest Holiday Pop-Up District

December 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lakeview East Chamber presents Chicagoland’s largest Holiday Pop-Up District The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce presents Chicago’s largest Holiday pop-up district with the return of Wrigleyville Wonderland. 19 Wrigleyville Businesses Transform into Holiday Themed Spots for Everyone Offering Picture Perfect Moments, Movies, Food and Drink Specials and More The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce…

Chicago, Entertainment, Events, News

Bond Set at $5 Million for Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Elderly Woman/Home Invasion

December 6, 2021December 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bond Set at $5 Million for Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Elderly Woman/Home Invasion DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Addison Director of Police Bill Hayden announced today that bond has been set for a Glendale Heights man accused of breaking into an elderly woman’s home and sexually assaulting her. Anthony Lane, 53 (d.o.b….

Crime, DuPage, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County officials report Cicero & Berwyn’s COVID vaccination rates exceed 70 percent

December 6, 2021December 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County officials report Cicero & Berwyn’s COVID vaccination rates exceed 70 percent View video of the press conference and photos below Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle traveled to the Town of Cicero Monday to announce that the Town’s COVID vaccination efforts have exceeded a 70 percent vaccination rate for the community. Town President…

Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Active duty sailor sends cheers to Chicago family

December 6, 2021December 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Active duty sailor sends cheers to Chicago family GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 7, 2021) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Oterrius Pouncy, from Chicago, Ill., gives family a holiday shout out aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Nov. 7. Essex and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed to the U.S. 5th…

Chicago, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Rules Committee Chair Alderman Michelle Harris to hold more hearings on new ward maps

December 5, 2021December 5, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rules Committee Chair Alderman Michelle Harris to hold more hearings on new ward maps In a continued commitment to ensuring the city’s ward Redistricting process is open to public participation and input, Chairman Michelle Harris, 8th Ward, is holding additional public hearings this week, inviting feedback on the proposed draft map and data published online….

Chicago, Government, News, Politics

Chicago Wolves score sixth win in a row

December 5, 2021December 5, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves score sixth win in a row Alex Lyon ties franchise record with second consecutive shutout Alex Lyon tied a franchise record with his second consecutive shutout as he stopped 20 shots to lead the Chicago Wolves to a 4-0 victory over the Iowa Wild Sunday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena. Forwards David Cotton,…

Chicago, Entertainment, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Wolves triumph over Iowa Wild to lead in AHL Central Division

December 5, 2021December 5, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves triumph over Iowa Wild to lead in AHL Central Division Chicago wins fifth in a row to extend lead in AHL’s Central Division Rookie goaltender Eetu Makiniemi stopped 23 shots as the Chicago Wolves extended their winning streak to five games with a 2-1 victory over the Iowa Wild Saturday night at Wells…

Chicago, Cook County, General Topics, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

DuPage-Kane Task Force Yields Drug Arrest, Seizure of Cocaine and Fentanyl

December 4, 2021December 4, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

DuPage-Kane Task Force Yields Drug Arrest, Seizure of Cocaine and Fentanyl A Melrose Park man is the first to be charged in a joint task force operation between the Kane and DuPage County sheriff’s offices. DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser announced Saturday. Berlin and Mosser said that…

Crime, DuPage, Kane County, Law, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Podcast: The New Cold War, Russia, Ukraine, NATO and Biden

December 3, 2021December 3, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Podcast: The New Cold War, Russia, Ukraine, NATO and Biden Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and former Chicago City Hall reporter Ray Hanania look at the growing “New Cold War” between the United States and Russia as Vladimir Putin solidifies his power, undermines Democracy and returns his country to the old Soviet Communism in their latest…

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Commentary, Federal, National, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania

Orland Township Holiday Program: Highlighting Donor Kindness

December 3, 2021December 3, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township Holiday Program: Highlighting Donor Kindness Students at Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School helped make the holidays a bit brighter for families in Orland Township. Orland Township’s Holiday Program has provided a yearly holiday meal, gifts, and other personal items to more than 200 resident families in need for over three decades. This year,…

Cook County, Features, Government, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland

First-place Chicago Wolves win fourth game in a row

December 2, 2021December 2, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

First-place Chicago Wolves win fourth game in a row Alex Lyon stops 30 shots to earn first shutout in Chicago Alex Lyon rejected all 30 shots he faced as the Chicago Wolves earned a 2-0 victory over the Iowa Wild Thursday night at Allstate Arena. Defenseman Jesper Sellgren and forward Sam Miletic scored for the…

Chicago, Cook County, Entertainment, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

The Political Grapevine: COVID is the excuse for everything

December 1, 2021February 1, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Political Grapevine: COVID is the excuse for everything Also a look at the brewing political battle in the 6th Congressional District where the strongest Republican candidate has not yet announced but will, plus perspectives on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and President Joe Biden. Plus, Kirk Dillard readying serious challenge against Pritzker By Ray Hanania COVID has…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, DuPage, elections, Federal, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland