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

Congressman Newman joins colleagues to sponsor firefighter sprinkler safety measure

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Congressman Newman joins colleagues to sponsor firefighter sprinkler safety measure

Congressman Newman joins colleagues to sponsor firefighter sprinkler safety measure The new bipartisan tax incentive legislation introduced in Congress will protect older residential buildings and also increase safety for the firefighters who fight those fires and protect the public U.S. Reps. Marie Newman (D-IL-03), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) and John Katko (R-NY-24) on Wednesday Dec….

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Business, Federal, Fire, Government, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas posts First Installment property tax bills on website

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Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas posts First Installment property tax bills on website

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas posts First Installment property tax bills on website Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has posted the First Installment Tax Year 2021 bills on cookcountytreasurer.com. The First Installment, which is 55 percent of the previous year’s total tax, is due March 1, 2022. By providing an early look at the bills,…

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Chicago, Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Augustana College announces new board president

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Augustana College announces new board president

Augustana College announces new board president Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois on Tuesday announced the appointment of Dr. Andrea Talentino as its ninth president beginning July 1. The Augustana College Board of Trustees President John Murabito said, “We welcomed Dr. Talentino to campus for a celebration today, and I know she looks forward to seeing you…

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Education, News, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage Launches Holiday Give-Back Initiative with Toys for Tots 

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Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage Launches Holiday Give-Back Initiative with Toys for Tots 

Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage Launches Holiday Give-Back Initiative with Toys for Tots  Chicago-Based Restaurant Brand Offers Customers Free Soda for Each Toy Donation Made at Local Restaurant Locations  CHICAGO, Ill. – Donate a toy, leave with a free pop! Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage is ringing in the season of giving through the launch of its…

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Business, Chicago, Features, food, News, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Faith leaders protest prison treatment at Stateville Correctional

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Chicago Faith leaders protest prison treatment at Stateville Correctional

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…

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

Bloomington Illinois Navy Student Recognized for Excellence by Air Force

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Bloomington Illinois Navy Student Recognized for Excellence by Air Force

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…

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Features, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

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

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

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…

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

Senator Hastings hosts Christmas Casino Night Dec. 16

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Senator Hastings hosts Christmas Casino Night Dec. 16

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…

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

Video of Village of Lyons dedication of Firefighter Memorial

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Video of Village of Lyons dedication of Firefighter Memorial

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…

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

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

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

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…

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

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

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

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…

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Chicago, Entertainment, Events, News

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

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

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….

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Crime, DuPage, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

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

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

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…

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

Active duty sailor sends cheers to Chicago family

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Active duty sailor sends cheers to Chicago family

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…

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Chicago, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

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

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

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….

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Chicago, Government, News, Politics

Chicago Wolves score sixth win in a row

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Chicago Wolves score sixth win in a row

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,…

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Chicago, Entertainment, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

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

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

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…

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

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

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

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…

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