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

Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes

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Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes

Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes By Maria Pappas Record-high increases in property tax bills have angered many Cook County property owners. My office has released an analysis of the nearly 1.8 million tax bills. It showed that in Chicago the median tax bill jumped 16.7%,…

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

Illinois Tollway prepared to clear roads and assist drivers during Thanksgiving weekend storm

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Illinois Tollway prepared to clear roads and assist drivers during Thanksgiving weekend storm

Illinois Tollway prepared to clear roads and assist drivers during Thanksgiving weekend storm Motorists asked to slow down and increase their distance from other vehicles The Illinois Tollway is reminding drivers to slow down and allow extra time for their Thanksgiving holiday travels and weekend trips as a winter storm moves through Northern Illinois, with…

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Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Weather

Treasurer Pappas welcomes visitors to ‘Christmas Trees from Around the World’ exhibit

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Treasurer Pappas welcomes visitors to ‘Christmas Trees from Around the World’ exhibit

Treasurer Pappas welcomes visitors to ‘Christmas Trees from Around the World’ exhibit more countries and cultures represented than the Museum of Science and Industry’s Display For the 22nd year, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is celebrating the ethnic holiday traditions of nearly 100 different nationalities in the free “Christmas Trees from Around the World” exhibit…

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Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Taxes

Leving Team Protected Dad’s Little Girls Again, Ensuring Their Lasting Safety

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Leving Team Protected Dad’s Little Girls Again, Ensuring Their Lasting Safety By Laura Reichel When two young girls were rescued from a reported toxic and dangerous home, their devoted father believed the worst was finally behind them. The court victory granting him primary custody had given his daughters the peace and stability they deserved, allowing…

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

Adult Sister Wins Sole Custody of Her Little Sister

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Adult Sister Wins Sole Custody of Her Little Sister By Laura Reichel When a young girl’s adoptive home became a place of reported mistreatment and despair, her adult sister refused to remain silent. Furthermore, it was reported the young girl’s adoptive parents allowed their family members to abuse the little girl.Fearing for her sister and…

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

Veteran’s Appreciation Day Holiday Luncheon to be held Dec. 12, 2025

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Veteran’s Appreciation Day Holiday Luncheon to be held Dec. 12, 2025

Veteran’s Appreciation Day Holiday Luncheon to be held Dec. 12, 2025 Illinois Senator Mike Porfirio will join local legislators in celebrating and honoring America’s veterans at a Holiday luncheon to be held at Morton College on Dec. 12, 2025. Among those also attending will be State Sen. Javier Cervantes, State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, State Rep….

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Events, Government, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar: Maintaining Excellence in Matrimonial Law and Client Advocacy

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Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar: Maintaining Excellence in Matrimonial Law and Client Advocacy

Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar: Maintaining Excellence in Matrimonial Law and Client Advocacy By Laura Reichel 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 November 20th at 6:30 p.m. CST at 225 W. Wacker Drive in Chicago,…

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

Loop’s declining value fuels record 16.7% jump in median property tax bill for Chicago homeowners

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Loop’s declining value fuels record 16.7% jump in median property tax bill for Chicago homeowners

Loop’s declining value fuels record 16.7% jump in median property tax bill for Chicago homeowners Homeowners in Black communities hit with biggest percentage increases A dramatic decline in the value of commercial property in Chicago’s Loop, the city’s longtime economic engine, fueled a record property tax increase on homes across the city, according to an…

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

Orland Fire hosts annual holiday Toy Drive for needy families/children

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Orland Fire hosts annual holiday Toy Drive for needy families/children

Orland Fire hosts annual holiday Toy Drive for needy families/children The Orland Fire Protection District is hosting its annual Toy Drive for needy families and children.  The Toy drive collections are located at all 6 of the OFPD Fire Stations and the Fire Administration Building, where toy donations can be dropped off. The OFPD Toy…

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Features, Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park

Kidnapped Son Reunited with Dedicated Dad

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Kidnapped Son Reunited with Dedicated Dad By: Laura Reichel A devoted young father’s world was shattered when, in the midst of a painful separation, his son was suddenly taken from him by the child’s mother, leaving him feeling discarded and dismissed. According to court documents, she moved their elementary school-age son far away and out…

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

Orland Fire Protection District promotes two firefighters Thursday Nov. 6, 2025

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Orland Fire Protection District promotes two firefighters Thursday Nov. 6, 2025

Orland Fire Protection District promotes two firefighters Thursday Nov. 6, 2025 OFPD, IL – Two firefighters were promoted by the Orland Fire Protection District during ceremonies administered by the Orland Fire Commission at a meeting held on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Firefighter James Schultz was promoted to the rank of Engineer, and Eric Petravich was…

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Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Suburban Chicagoland

Emagine Theatres invite veterans and military to watch movies for free on Veteran’s Day

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Emagine Theatres invite veterans and military to watch movies for free on Veteran’s Day

Emagine Theatres invite veterans and military to watch movies for free on Veteran’s Day Emagine Theatres Honoring Veterans Day with FREE Admission Emagine Entertainment will once again be recognizing and honoring military service members by inviting them and a guest to see a movie of their choice for FREE on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. For…

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Entertainment, Movies, News, NewsWire, Veterans, Veterans Column

Illinois sees 7th highest rise in total household debt, ranks 29th in debt rise

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Illinois sees 7th highest rise in total household debt, ranks 29th in debt rise

Illinois sees 7th highest in total household debt, ranks 29th in debt rise With household debt reaching $18.59 trillion in Q3 2025, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its rankings of the States With the Largest & Smallest Debt Increases, based on new data from TransUnion and the Federal Reserve, to highlight where people may…

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Economy, Illinois Legislature, National, News, NewsWire

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Transition Team Launches Resume Portal for New Administration

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Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Transition Team Launches Resume Portal for New Administration

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Transition Team Launches Resume Portal for New Administration Mamdani’s transition opens application process to receive applicants interested in serving in the Mamdani Administration Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team launched on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 the Transition 2025 resume portal for applicants of all experience levels to help build an administration of public…

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Civil Rights, Culture, elections, Government, News, Politics

Leving Team Protected Dad’s Liberty and Preserved His Place in His Children’s Lives

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Leving Team Protected Dad’s Liberty and Preserved His Place in His Children’s Lives

Leving Team Protected Dad’s Liberty and Preserved His Place in His Children’s Lives By Laura Reichel A desperate Chicago dad found himself living a horrible nightmare. His ex had filed a Petition for an Emergency Order of Protection against him, taken his children away, and left him facing the terrifying possibility of incarceration.  He didn’t…

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

Village of Orland Park Celebrates Thanksgiving Week

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Village of Orland Park Celebrates Thanksgiving Week

Village of Orland Park Celebrates Thanksgiving Week The Village of Orland Park is celebrating Thanksgiving with a week full of turkey-themed activities, including the Kids’ Turkey Trot and Diaper Dash, Turkey Shoot Free-Throw Contest and the 37th Annual Turkey Trot. “Thanksgiving week in Orland Park is all about community, family, and tradition,” said Mayor Jim…

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Events, Features, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Fire Protection District welcomes new Fire Chief, salutes passing of former Trustee

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Orland Fire Protection District welcomes new Fire Chief, salutes passing of former Trustee

Orland Fire Protection District welcomes new Fire Chief, salutes passing of former Trustee The Orland Fire Protection District, at its regular meeting on Oct. 28, 2025, officially welcomed the newly appointed Fire Chief, Kevin Doyle. Doyle was welcomed to his first official meeting by Board President Beth Damas Kaspar and the Fire Trustees, and he…

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Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Suburban Chicagoland