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

President Preckwinkle kicks-off 8th Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Sand Ridge Nature Center

June 19, 2021June 19, 2021 Ray Hanania

President Preckwinkle kicks-off 8th Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Sand Ridge Nature Center Cook County Board and Forest Preserves President Toni Preckwinkle was joined by Forest Preserves General Superintendent Arnold Randall, Commissioner Stanley Moore, Commissioner Donna Miller, Commissioner Brandon Johnson, Commissioner Frank Aguilar, Calumet City Mayor and State Representative Thaddeus Jones, Calumet City Alderman Ramonde Williams…

News

Man killed by Metra train in Tinley Park

June 18, 2021June 18, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Man killed by Metra train in Tinley Park Tinley Park officials said Friday that Metra and Tinley police investigating the death of a pedestrian hit by a METRA train Friday afternoon Tinley Park police are assisting the Metra Police Department in investigating a pedestrian vs. train incident that occurred Friday afternoon near the Oak Park…

breaking news, Chicago, Cook County, General Topics, News, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

State Senator Michael E. Hastings announces suspension of bid for Secretary of State

June 18, 2021June 18, 2021 Ray Hanania

State Senator Michael E. Hastings announces suspension of bid for Secretary of State State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) today issued the following statement on his decision to suspend his bid for Secretary of State: “On March 3rd, I announced my intention to run for the office of the Secretary of State. Since the…

Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Bingo marks the return of Senior activities at Orland Township

June 18, 2021June 18, 2021 Ray Hanania

Bingo marks the return of Senior activities at Orland Township Over 100 residents arrive at Orland Township to celebrate the re-opening of the Senior Activity Center. Excitement filled the air as residents flocked to Orland Township on June 17th and 18th. After a tense year and a half of strict pandemic guidelines and stay-at-home orders,…

Baby Boomers, Cook County, Features, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinoisans who received at least one COVID vaccination automatically entered in $10 million state giveaway

June 17, 2021June 17, 2021 Ray Hanania

Illinoisans who received at least one COVID vaccination automatically entered in $10 million state giveaway As Illinois Vaccinates 70% of Adults, Gov. Pritzker Launches $10 Million ‘All In for the Win’ Promotion to Reward Vaccinated Residents. Illinois Becomes First State in Midwest to Hit President Biden’s 70% Adult Vaccination Goal. Eligible Illinoisans Automatically Entered into Lottery for…

Chicago, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Ald. Pat Dowell Calls for Personal Dashboard for the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office

June 17, 2021June 17, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Ald. Pat Dowell Calls for Personal Dashboard for the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office Chicago Alderman Pat Dowell, candidate for Democratic nominee for Illinois Secretary of State on Thursday June 17, 2021, released an innovative program for the Secretary of State’s office. She is proposing that the Secretary of State implement a personal dashboard for each…

Chicago, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Kim Foxx passes on “foundation crimes” that lead to violence and murder

June 16, 2021July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Kim Foxx passes on “foundation crimes” that lead to violence and murder Foundation crimes are a part ad parcel of major crimes. If they are not addressed or confronted, or allowed to go unpunished, they lead to serious felonies and even murder. But sadly, that’s not how Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx views her…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, Government, Opinion, Police, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park Police Remind All to Drive Sober This Independence Day, and Every Day

June 16, 2021June 16, 2021 Ray Hanania

Orland Park Police Remind All to Drive Sober This Independence Day, and Every Day This Independence Day, the Orland Park Police Department and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) want to remind drivers that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. However your celebrations may look this year, make sure you celebrate…

Cook County, Crime, Government, News, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois Secretary of State Candidate, David Moore, Offers A Solution to Carjacking Crisis

June 15, 2021June 15, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Illinois Secretary of State Candidate, David Moore, Offers A Solution to Carjacking Crisis Carjackings in Illinois are at an epidemic level. People are afraid in every part of the state. The number of carjackings in 2021 has exceeded 2020, leading the Illinois State Police to announce earlier this year that it’s partnering with federal and local…

Chicago, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Paddlers Reminded to be Safe on the Water This Summer

June 15, 2021June 15, 2021 Ray Hanania

Paddlers Reminded to be Safe on the Water This Summer Safety on the water should be a priority for all boaters this summer – from motor boat operators and passengers to those boaters who prefer non-motorized watercraft. Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Conservation Police and Safety Education experts remind paddlers to stay alert to…

Entertainment, General Topics, News, NewsWire, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Wolves’ Kevin Kacer shares AHL’s Dupre Award

June 14, 2021June 14, 2021 Ray Hanania

Chicago Wolves’ Kevin Kacer shares AHL’s Dupre Award Chicago’s head trainer honored for yeoman’s work during 2021 season The American Hockey League announced Monday that, in recognition of their efforts during the pandemic, the head athletic trainers from all 31 teams have been selected as the winners of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award for 2020-21….

Chicago, Cook County, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Pritzker activates Emergency Operation Center, National Guard in response to massive chemical fire in Winnebago County

June 14, 2021June 14, 2021 Ray Hanania

Pritzker activates Emergency Operation Center, National Guard in response to massive chemical fire in Winnebago County Residents Within Two-Mile Radius of Rockton Chemical Plant fire evacuated, encouraged to Wear Masks Out of an Abundance of Caution. State Officials from Multiple Agencies Coordinating with Local Authorities to Keep People Safe Governor JB Pritzker has activated the State…

Fire, General Topics, News, Photos, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

SONIC Drive-In donates $31,128.00 to teachers in Chicago this Teacher Appreciation Month

June 14, 2021June 14, 2021 Ray Hanania

SONIC Drive-In donates $31,128.00 to teachers in Chicago this Teacher Appreciation Month America’s Drive-In thanked public school teachers by donating $1.5 million to requests for learning supplies across the country To honor the creative efforts teachers have made to maneuver their ever-shifting learning environments and keep students engaged this past year, SONIC® Drive-In donated $1.5…

Chicago, Education, Features, General Topics, National, News, NewsWire

Orland Township Senior Activities returning to full services

June 11, 2021June 11, 2021 Ray Hanania

Orland Township Senior Activities returning to full services Starting this month, residents can expect a full return to normalcy at the Township. Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady, who was cautious in protecting the health of senior citizens during the pandemic, announced this week that all of the townships senior services would be returning in full as…

Baby Boomers, Cook County, Government, Health, News, Orland Park, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland

US Transportation Secretary Buttigieg invited to tour Chicagoland

June 11, 2021June 11, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

US Transportation Secretary Buttigieg invited to tour Chicagoland NEWMAN, GARCIA, DURBIN AND DUCKWORTH LEAD IL DELEGATION LETTER INVITING SECRETARY BUTTIGIEG TO TOUR CHICAGOLAND AREA. As Secretary Buttigieg tours the country for President Biden’s American Jobs Plan, the delegation letter invites him to Illinois, a national and international hub of transportation activity U.S. Representatives Marie Newman (D-IL-03)…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, News, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Arab Radio with veteran columnist Ray Hanania on Yemen and the Global Anti-Corruption Coalition

June 11, 2021July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania

Arab Radio with veteran columnist Ray Hanania on Yemen and the Global Anti-Corruption Coalition Find links to the audio podcast and video podcast of The Ray Hanania Radio Show. Listen and watch every Wednesday at 8 AM on WNZK AM 690 radio in Detroit and on WDMV AM 700 Radio in Washington D.C, and watch on…

Blogger, Commentary, Features, NewsWire, Podcast, Politics, Radio, rayhanania, Videos

Tax leaders applaud Pappas debt report and recommendations

June 9, 2021June 9, 2021 Ray Hanania

Tax leaders applaud Pappas debt report and recommendations Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas on Monday posted her most recent local government debt report, which this year includes a unique way to measure those growing obligations. The Treasurer attributed debt to properties, rather than per person, to more accurately reflect the burdens placed on those who…

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

Newman secures inclusion of $17.8 million for six district transportation projects

June 9, 2021June 9, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Newman secures inclusion of $17.8 million for six district transportation projects Projects funded by the INVEST in America Act include the electrification of CTA buses, pedestrian safety improvements and expansion of roads and highways to reduce congestion U.S. Representative Marie Newman (IL-03), a member on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, announced Wednesday (June…

Cook County, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation