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 introduces bill to protect consumers in insurance rate setting

September 22, 2025September 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings introduces bill to protect consumers in insurance rate setting State Senator Michael E. Hastings has introduced Senate Bill 2691, legislation that would examine whether Illinois families are paying unfairly high premiums due to nondriving factors that have little to do with actual risk on the road or in the home. “Families in Illinois deserve…

Illinois Legislature, Insurance, Michael Hastings, News

Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE

September 20, 2025September 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and political columnist Ray Hanania discuss the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s firing, the murder of Charlie Kirk, the backlash on free speech and increased censorship, Woke vs New Woke, the Great American Divide, how to…

Bill Lipinski, censorship, Civil Rights, Commentary, Culture, Entertainment, Government, immigrant, journalism, News, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, Racism

The Pappas Portal: Free News You Can Use

September 19, 2025September 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Pappas Portal: Free News You Can Use By Maria Pappas When it comes to property taxes in Cook County, a lot of people feel like they’re staring at a 1,000-piece puzzle—and someone hid the box with the picture on the cover. That’s why I want to tell you about a tool that helps you…

Cook County, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Hastings meets with Matteson School District 162 leaders to strengthen school safety measures

September 19, 2025September 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings meets with Matteson School District 162 leaders to strengthen school safety measures State Senator Michael E. Hastings visited Matteson School District 162 last week to meet with Superintendent Dr. Blondean Davis and district leaders to discuss security measures, rapid response plans and other protocols designed to keep students safe. The meeting focused on how…

Education, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Author Jeffrey Wolfson Publishes A Prayer Book: Reflections for a Shared, Sacred World

September 18, 2025September 18, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Author Jeffrey Wolfson Publishes A Prayer Book: Reflections for a Shared, Sacred World Ridgefield, CT — [8/26/25] — Jeffrey Wolfson announces the publication of his debut work, “A Prayer Book: Reflections for a Shared, Sacred World,” now available in paperback and Kindle editions through Amazon. Unlike traditional prayer books, Wolfson’s work is not a set…

Books & Films, Entertainment, Features, News, NewsWire, Religion

Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar to Present on Vacating Voluntary Acknowledgements of Paternity

September 18, 2025September 18, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar to Present on Vacating Voluntary Acknowledgements of Paternity By: Laura Reichel The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. will host the next presentation of the Arthur S. Kallow Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar Series on September 18th at 6:30 p.m. CDT at 225 W. Wacker Drive in Chicago. The keynote…

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

Orland Fire Protection District now accepting applications for position of firefighter/paramedic

September 17, 2025September 17, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire Protection District now accepting applications for position of firefighter/paramedic Orland Fire Protection District, IL – The Orland Fire Protection District is accepting applications from the public for the position of firefighter/paramedic. Individuals who are between 21 and 35 years of age can apply, with certain minimum required qualifications. The starting salary for new…

Employment, Fire, Government, News, news release, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Releases

Hastings announces $75,000 state grant to upgrade New Lenox Township Fire Protection District communication systems

September 11, 2025September 11, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings announces $75,000 state grant to upgrade New Lenox Township Fire Protection District communication systems State Senator Michael E. Hastings, a U.S. Army combat veteran, announced Tuesday that the New Lenox Township Fire Protection District has been awarded a $75,000 grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The funding will support an…

Fire, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

No one injured in Orland Park apartment building fire Thursday

September 11, 2025September 11, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

No one injured in Orland Park apartment building fire Thursday Orland Fire Protection District, IL – No one was injured when an Orland Park home caught fire Thursday. OFPD Officials are investigating the cause of the fire that burned the kitchen of an apartment building, but suspect it may be related to the oven in…

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

Father’s Role Affirmed, Family Stability Preserved

September 10, 2025September 10, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Father’s Role Affirmed, Family Stability Preserved By: Laura Reichel For many dads, the letters DCFS bring more than just anxiety; they unleash a nightmare of fear, doubt, and the possibility of losing the person they cherish most. This was the reality for a devoted dad who suddenly felt himself branded as dangerous and unfit. Terrified…

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

Study on which states vaccinate the most and the least from WalletHub

September 9, 2025September 9, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Study on which states vaccinate the most and the least from WalletHub With vaccines preventing 4 to 5 million deaths worldwide per year, according to the WHO, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2025’s States that Vaccinate the Most, as well as expert commentary. In order to find out which states vaccinate…

News

WalletHub releases new Credit Card Debt study

September 8, 2025September 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

WalletHub releases new Credit Card Debt study WalletHub’s new Credit Card Debt Study released its latest study looking at Credit Card debt, showing it is below the record high. The results of WalletHub’s new Fed Rate Survey, along with projections for how a September prime rate drop could affect our wallets, are listed here. Credit…

Economy, News

Wetzel’s Pretzels Welcomes Fall with New Apple Cinnamon Bitz

September 8, 2025September 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wetzel’s Pretzels Welcomes Fall with New Apple Cinnamon Bitz Limited-time seasonal treat available beginning Sept. 1 Wetzel’s Pretzels is embracing the season’s sweetest flavors with the debut of its new limited time offer menu item, Apple Cinnamon Bitz, an autumn-inspired twist on the brand’s beloved bite-sized pretzels. Wetzel’s is once again giving snack lovers a…

Features, food, News, NewsWire

Federal Indictment Charges Man With Illegally Possessing Loaded Machine Gun in Chicago Park

September 8, 2025September 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Federal Indictment Charges Man With Illegally Possessing Loaded Machine Gun in Chicago Park A man has been indicted on a federal firearm charge for allegedly illegally possessing a loaded machine gun in a Chicago park. Eddie Arguelles possessed the firearm on May 14, 2025, in Riis Park in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood of Chicago, according…

Chicago, Crime, Federal, News, NewsWire, U.S. Attorney

Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Fundraiser at Harley Davidson

September 8, 2025September 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Fundraiser at Harley Davidson On Wednesday, August 27th, Commissioner Aguilar hosted his fifth annual Friends of Frank campaign fundraiser at the Harley Davidson Showroom in Countryside, IL. The event brought supporters of Commissioner Aguilar from throughout Cook County and the 16th District, joining together to listen to music,…

Cook County, elections, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor

September 7, 2025September 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor As you know, I have never been a big fan of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, or, for that matter, many of the most recent governors we have had, including Bruce Rauner, Pat Quinn, or “Mr. Celebrity” Governor, Rod Blagojevich. (Previously published on Ray…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Illinois Republicans slam crime challenges in Chicago and region

September 7, 2025September 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Republicans slam crime challenges in Chicago and region Illinois faces a growing public safety crisis, and nowhere is it more evident than in Chicago. While Washington, D.C. has seen progress under President Donald J. Trump’s crime initiative—leading to hundreds of illegal firearm arrests and thousands overall—our own state leadership refuses to take decisive action….

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Federal, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill

September 5, 2025September 5, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill By Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Twice each year, my office mails out about 1.8 million tax bills to Cook County property owners. Most people glance only at the amount due—but your bill is much more than a dollar figure. It’s a detailed breakdown of how your…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, NewsWire, Opinion, Taxes