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

Orland’s Pekau rejects contract renewal for Village Manager George Koczwara

June 15, 2024June 15, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland’s Pekau rejects contract renewal for Village Manager George Koczwara Controversy-plagued Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau will introduce a letter at Monday’s Village Board meeting (June 17, 2024) signed by him telling Village Manager George Koczwara that his contract cannot be renewed because it would be “unfair and inappropriate to allow an automatic extension” to…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

You may be owed a refund for overpaying property taxes during past 20 years

June 14, 2024June 14, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

You may be owed a refund for overpaying property taxes during past 20 years By Maria Pappas My office is sitting on about $93 million in potential refunds for property tax overpayments going back 20 years. Most overpayments occurred because more than one person paid the same tax bill twice. Reasons why duplicate payments occurred…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Village of Bridgeview responds to Red Stars on RiotFest move to Seat Geek Stadium

June 13, 2024June 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Village of Bridgeview responds to Red Stars on RiotFest move to Seat Geek Stadium The Village of Bridgeview released the following statement regarding the scheduling of Riot Fest at SeatGeek Stadium Sept. 21, 22, and 23, 2024. In October 2019 when the Red Stars renewed their agreement with the Village for the use of Bridgeview…

Entertainment, News, NewsWire, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Treasurer Maria Pappas featured in Women and Leadership Archives at Loyola University Chicago

June 11, 2024June 11, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Treasurer Maria Pappas featured in Women and Leadership Archives at Loyola University Chicago More than 34,000 documents, multimedia files and other items highlighting the career accomplishments of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas are featured in the Women and Leadership Archives at Loyola University Chicago. A five-minute video that captures Pappas’ achievements and her desire to…

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

2024 American Rugby Series coming to Bridgeview’s Seat Geek stadium

June 10, 2024June 10, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

2024 American Rugby Series coming to Bridgeview’s Seat Geek stadium USA National Rugby team takes on Romania at Seat Geek Stadium in Bridgeview, Friday July 5. Tickets for this historic event can be purchased online at www.eagles.rugby/usavsromania Bridgeview, IL (June 5, 2024) – The 2024 National Rugby Team American Series will take place Friday July 5th,…

Features, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

What’s the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland’s suburbs? Zwar in Orland Park

June 8, 2024December 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

What’s the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland’s suburbs? Zwar in Orland Park One of Chicagoland’s best Middle East Arabian restaurants offers a special exotic entertainment show every Wednesday, complementing their great food menu with the mesmerizing dance of Belly Dancer Tina every Wednesday from 7 PM until 9 PM. Enjoy a great show along…

Blogger, Commentary, Culture, Entertainment, food, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Review, Suburban Chicagoland

Hanania columns on Biden’s border plan, Israel’s PAC influence on Congress, and Trump’s conviction

June 7, 2024June 7, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hanania columns on Biden’s border plan, Israel’s PAC influence on Congress, and Trump’s conviction Award winning former Chicago City Hall political reporter and now columnist writes seven columns each week on a wide range of topics from Chicagoland, Illinois and American politics, slice-of-life observations, humor to analysis of developments in the Middle East. The columns…

National, News, Politics, rayhanania

Here’s why your tax bill tells you about government debt and pensions

June 1, 2024June 2, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Here’s why your tax bill tells you about government debt and pensions By Maria Pappas I do not determine your property taxes. My job as county treasurer is to bill, collect and distribute that money to pay for local government services. Local governments typically rely on property taxes to fund payrolls and other day-to-day expenses….