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

Year in Review: U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago Cracked Down on Crime While Implementing Significant New Policies and Initiatives in Productive 2025

January 12, 2026January 12, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Year in Review: U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago Cracked Down on Crime While Implementing Significant New Policies and Initiatives in Productive 2025 The United States Attorney’s Office in Chicago increased its caseload to crack down on crime in 2025 while implementing significant new policies and initiatives that have strengthened the Office for continued success now…

Crime, Law, News, U.S. Attorney

EMAGINE THEATRES CELEBRATES NATIONAL POPCORN DAY WITH $5 ANY-SIZE POPCORNS AND PRIZES WITH PURCHASE

January 12, 2026January 12, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

EMAGINE THEATRES CELEBRATES NATIONAL POPCORN DAY WITH $5 ANY-SIZE POPCORNS AND PRIZES WITH PURCHASE Purchase any size popcorn for only $5 and Receive a “Pop & Peel” Emagine Lottery Ticket where every ticket is a winner! Monday, January 19, 2026 All Emagine Theatres* in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin are inviting you to Pop In…

Entertainment, Movies, News, Theater

ENJOY SPECIAL FILM SCREENINGS, DEALS, AND IN-THEATRE EXPERIENCES AT EMAGINE THEATRES THIS JANUARY

January 8, 2026January 8, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

ENJOY SPECIAL FILM SCREENINGS, DEALS, AND IN-THEATRE EXPERIENCES AT EMAGINE THEATRES THIS JANUARY This January experience the magic of movies at Emagine Theatres while enjoying on-site activations and deals that you won’t find anywhere else. Emagine offers their guests a luxury, movie-going experience that features leather power-reclining seats, reserved seating, in-seat service, upscale amenities, gourmet…

Entertainment, Movies, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Theater

Protecting What Matters Most — A Father’s Fight for His Sons

January 8, 2026January 8, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Protecting What Matters Most — A Father’s Fight for His Sons By Laura Reichel When a father fears for his children’s safety, every moment can feel like a battle between hope and helplessness. For an Illinois dad, that fear became a harsh reality. His two young sons were reported to be living in a dangerous…

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

Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Sixth Annual Three Kings Celebration

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Sixth Annual Three Kings Celebration The Three Kings Day event hosted by Abuilar remains one of the largest celebrations of the important Mexican holiday in Chicagoland, drawing support from important leaders and elected officials, including Lyons Mayor Chris Getty and Pastor John Harrell, co-founder of Black Men United…

Cook County, elections, Entertainment, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

React to President Trump’s war on Venezuela from American leaders

January 3, 2026January 3, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

React to President Trump’s war on Venezuela from American leaders By Ray Hanania We will run statements as they are released by various American officials on President Donald Trump’s illegal invasion of Venezuela and his bombastic assertions of his greatness and plans to take over the Venezuelan Oil Field after his detention of Venezuelan President…

Crime, Economy, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, Politics

Illinois lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 a year in property taxes

January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 a year in property taxes By Maria Pappas Illinois offers senior citizens a property tax relief program that works like a loan. The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program allows qualifying seniors to defer or postpone the payment of up to $7,500 a year in property…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Seniors

Father Transferred Overseas by Government Gains Time with Son

December 31, 2025December 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Father Transferred Overseas by Government Gains Time with Son By Laura Reichel A panicked, divorced dad who works for the U.S. government found himself in a tough situation. He was being assigned overseas for a long period of time, and his ex reportedly denied his request to be with his son before his departure. Dad…

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

Ray Hanania Radio and Podcasts

December 26, 2025January 2, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ray Hanania Radio and Podcasts People have asked how to access all of my writings, radio shows, and audio/video podcasts, which include Ray Hanania on Politics, Two Guys on Politics with Bill Lipinski, The Ray Hanania Radio Show sponsored by Arab News on WNZK AM 690 Radio in Michigan, and Ray Hanania’s Syndicated column. Hanania takes…

Bill Lipinski, Books & Films, Commentary, elections, Entertainment, Government, Illinois Legislature, National, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Orland Park, Podcast, Politics, Radio, rayhanania, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Review, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Travel

After Mother’s Death, Child Finds Safety in Dad’s Home

December 24, 2025December 24, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

After Mother’s Death, Child Finds Safety in Dad’s Home By Laura Reichel A desperate father called the Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving Ltd. for help after his late ex’s relatives refused to return his son to him after the mother’s tragic death. The Leving legal team fought to reunite dad and his son and…

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

Author Charlene Wexler Earns International Impact Book Award for We Won’t Go Back

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Author Charlene Wexler Earns International Impact Book Award for We Won’t Go Back Author Charlene Wexler recently won a 2025 International Impact Book Award in the Contemporary Fiction category for her book We Won’t Go Back, published by Speaking Volumes. We Won’t Go Back is the story of Babs, who lived a pleasant life…

Books & Films, Chicago, Culture, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Uniejewski Campaign Knocks 50,000 Doors in the 6th District

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Uniejewski Campaign Knocks 50,000 Doors in the 6th District Grassroots organizing effort spans every ward, showing unprecedented organizing strength. Nick Uniejewski’s campaign announced today that it has knocked on more than 50,000 doors in all 10 wards across Illinois’ 6th State Senate District, demonstrating the scale of an organizing-first campaign focused on building lasting community…

elections, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics

Local restaurants and amateur cooks invited to compete in Frankfort Fire & Ice Winter Social Chili Cook-off

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Local restaurants and amateur cooks invited to compete in Frankfort Fire & Ice Winter Social Chili Cook-off The Village of Frankfort is inviting chili enthusiasts and local restaurants to turn up the heat this winter at the Fire & Ice Winter Social Chili Cook-Off, taking place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00…

Entertainment, Events, food, Frankfort, News, NewsWire, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Members and Associates of Violent Chicago Street Gang for Racketeering Conspiracy Involving 13 Murders

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Members and Associates of Violent Chicago Street Gang for Racketeering Conspiracy Involving 13 Murders A federal grand jury has indicted six alleged members and associates of a Chicago street gang for participating in a criminal organization that murdered rivals, committed armed robberies and carjackings, and violently protected their perceived territory on…

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

Kat Abughazaleh Leaves X, Calls on Candidates to Stop Funding Elon Musk’s Platform

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Kat Abughazaleh Leaves X, Calls on Candidates to Stop Funding Elon Musk’s Platform Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh announced today that she will no longer use X, formerly known as Twitter, citing the platform’s transformation into a tool for right-wing radicalization, misinformation, and surveillance under Elon Musk’s ownership. Abughazaleh also called on other candidates to stop…

Chicago, Civil Rights, elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Sullivan’s Steakhouse makes every night special with family and friends

December 19, 2025December 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sullivan’s Steakhouse makes every night special with family and friends Restaurant review: Sullivan’s Steakhouse features a Holiday Menu with quality care in preparing their expansive menu of fresh meats, seafood, and appetizers. The restaurant in Naperville is part of a national chain in 14 cities. The combination of food quality, presentation, freshness, and preparation, and…

Business, Editors Pick, Entertainment, Features, News, NewsWire, rayhanania, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Review, Suburban Chicagoland

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Man on Terrorism and Arson Charges for Lighting Train Passenger on Fire and Setting Chicago City Hall Ablaze Days Earlier

December 19, 2025December 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Man on Terrorism and Arson Charges for Lighting Train Passenger on Fire and Setting Chicago City Hall Ablaze Days Earlier A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted a man on terrorism and arson charges for allegedly lighting a passenger on fire on a Chicago Transit Authority train and setting fire…

Crime, Federal, Fire, Law, News, NewsWire, Police, Transportation

Former Congresswoman Marie Newman endorses Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich for Congress in the Illinois 6th Congressional District

December 19, 2025December 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Former Congresswoman Marie Newman endorses Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich for Congress in the Illinois 6th Congressional District Former Congresswoman of IL-3, Marie Newman, has formally endorsed Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich, Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District. Marie Newman also confirmed her attendance as the keynote speaker at Joey Ruzevich’s fundraising dinner on Friday, December 19, 2025,…

Bridgeview, elections, Federal, News, news release, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland