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

Fire in two adjacent apartments and smoke damage to apartment building in Orland Park

September 23, 2021September 23, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fire in two adjacent apartments and smoke damage to apartment building in Orland Park The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a fire in an apartment building at the 9300 block that spread to two apartments and caused smoke damage throughout the three-story, 12 unit apartment building on Thursday afternoon. No one was injured. The…

Cook County, Fire, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Rep. Newman Ald. O’Shea announce improvements to eliminate train blockages

September 23, 2021September 23, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Rep. Newman Ald. O’Shea announce improvements to eliminate train blockages As a result of a working group with Rep. Newman, Ald. O’Shea, CSX, The Chicago Transportation Coordination Office, and state and local officials, new processes are in place to eliminate road-rail conflicts, avoid first responder delays, and reduce traffic congestion on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Today,…

Briefs, Chicago, News, Transportation

Data analysis lays out 10 facts about pre-trial Electronic Monitoring by Cook County Sheriff

September 23, 2021September 23, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Data analysis lays out 10 facts about pre-trial Electronic Monitoring by Cook County Sheriff Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart challenges conclusions Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts and the Chicago Council of Lawyers have released a report, 10 Facts about Pretrial Electronic Monitoring in Cook County. The report catalogs ten data-based facts about the Cook County Sheriff’s…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Law, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, Technology

How Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is a minority community abuser

September 20, 2021September 20, 2021 Ray Hanania 5 Comments

How Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is a minority community abuser Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is a serial minority community abuser. That’s someone who hides behind their minority status and then proceeds to discriminate against other minorities. In this case, Lightfoot is discriminating against Arab Americans and some Asian Americans, closing their stores over frivolous code…

Blogger, Business, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Opinion, Police, Racism, rayhanania, Taxes

La Crepe Bistro offers genuine French cuisine in Southwest suburbs

September 18, 2021December 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

La Crepe Bistro offers genuine French cuisine in Southwest suburbs If you are looking for a great French restaurant and that authentic French experience, you don’t have to look further than La Crepe Bistro in Homer Glen. The menu is exquisite and the food is authentic. No one replicates the French cafe aura better than…

Cook County, Entertainment, Features, food, Photos, rayhanania, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Review, Suburban Chicagoland

More than $39,000 in property tax overpayments returned to Arab community thanks to Pappas and Arab Chamber

September 17, 2021September 17, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

More than $39,000 in property tax overpayments returned to Arab community thanks to Pappas and Arab Chamber American Arab Chamber of Commerce President Hassan Nijem, an “Honorary Cook County Treasurer,” said he is working with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to refund thousands in overpaid property taxes that can be refunded. More than $39,000 was refunded during…

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

Niemeyer to retire as Village Manager

September 17, 2021September 17, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Niemeyer to retire as Village Manager After seven highly productive years with the Village of Tinley Park, Village Manager Dave Niemeyer has announced he is retiring as an Illinois city manager. His final day as Village Manager will be Friday, Oct. 8. “I have had an enjoyable and fulfilling 38-year career in Illinois local government,…

Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

America is a divided nation that can’t get back on track

September 16, 2021September 16, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

America is a divided nation that can’t get back on track The 20th Anniversary commemorations of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were sober and disturbing. But the failure of American politicians to get together as one voice to join as one nation is even more disturbing. President George W. Bush spoke about that polarization…

Blogger, Commentary, Federal, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Robert Falls to step down as Goodman Theatre Artistic Director in Summer 2022

September 15, 2021September 15, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Robert Falls to step down as Goodman Theatre Artistic Director in Summer 2022 ***IN 35 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP, THE TONY-AWARD WINNER HAS BROUGHT INTERNATIONAL PROMINENCE TO THE GOODMAN WITH GROUND-BREAKING PRODUCTIONS; BUILT A STATE-OF-THE-ART THEATER AND EDUCATION COMPLEX; ESTABLISHED ACCLAIMED COMMUNITY PROGRAMS; AND TURNED CHICAGO’S LARGEST NOT-FOR-PROFIT THEATER INTO A VIBRANT CULTURAL HUB*** After more…

Chicago, Cook County, Entertainment, Features, News, Theater

Face Masks, pandemic and “just in case”

September 10, 2021September 10, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Face Masks, pandemic and “just in case” Ray Hanania writes about the silver lining for seniors in the COVID-19 pandemic and wearing face masks, and the impact it has on being a baby boomer, wearing cargo pants, and avoiding embarrassing need to snub offensive people. By Ray Hanania While the country is polarized over the…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, Entertainment, Health, Humor, Opinion, Seniors, Veterans

Lightfoot shuts small businesses in futile drive to stop street gang violence

September 8, 2021September 9, 2021 Ray Hanania 5 Comments

Lightfoot shuts small businesses in futile drive to stop street gang violence Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has created a Special Task Force of Police and Inspectors to shutter Arab and minority owned businesses as a “Hail Mary” strategy to stop spiraling street gang violence. Dozens of gas stations with food sections have been shut down over…

breaking news, Business, Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Government, Law, News, Police, Racism, rayhanania

American Arab Chamber honors Ald. Silvana Tabares

September 7, 2021September 7, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

American Arab Chamber honors Ald. Silvana Tabares The American Arab Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday honored Chicago Alderwoman Silvana Tabares for defending the rights of Arab American business owners. Tabares, along with Alderman Matthew O’Shea, adjusted an ordinance intended to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco to young people and children under the age of…

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

6 miles over limit punished more than gangbangers carrying guns

September 3, 2021September 5, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

6 miles over limit punished more than gangbangers carrying guns Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has imposed new speed cameras to fine motorists driving through the city more than 6 miles over the posted speed limits — where signs are posted although not often enough to be seen in time. She can use technology to nail…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Crime, Government, Opinion, Police, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes, Transportation

Illinois Rental Payment Program distributes over $252 million, 50% of State’s Relief Allocation Paid to renters and landlords impacted by COVID-19

September 2, 2021September 2, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Rental Payment Program distributes over $252 million, 50% of State’s Relief Allocation Paid to renters and landlords impacted by COVID-19 Illinois Continues to Ramp Up Efforts to Deliver Emergency Rental Assistance to Households in Need Governor JB Pritzker, along with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), announced that more than $252 million in rental…

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

David Moore urges more support for organ donors

September 2, 2021September 2, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

David Moore urges more support for organ donors David Moore, a Candidate for Secretary of State, Stands with Organ Donor and Recipient to Tout the Benefits of Organ Donation Secretary of State candidate, David Moore, wants to build on the giving spirit of the state’s Organ/Tissue Donor Program by making sure all Illinoisans are given…

elections, News, Politics

Bartlett Teen Faces Reckless Homicide Charges in Fatal Crash

September 1, 2021November 9, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bartlett Teen Faces Reckless Homicide Charges in Fatal Crash DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Bartlett Chief of Police Patrick Ullrich announced today that a Bartlett teen has been charged in a juvenile petition with two counts of Reckless Homicide, a Class 3 Felony, following a fatal crash that claimed the lives of two…

Crime, DuPage, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Parental custody rights revoked from unvaccinated ex-wife

August 30, 2021August 30, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Parental custody rights revoked from unvaccinated ex-wife FOX 32 TV News report by reporter Dane Placko details how a Cook County Judge revoked the parenting rights of a Chicago mother because she refused to get vaccinated. The FOX 32 TV News report from Placko has been re-reported by news stations and media across the country…

Cook County, coronavirus, General Topics, Law, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Lipinski and Hanania launch the “Two Guys on Politics” Podcast

August 29, 2021September 1, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski and Hanania launch the “Two Guys on Politics” Podcast The “Two Guys on Politics” Podcast to offer Reagan Democrat Perspectives from Chicagoland’s Southwest Side with former Congressman Bill Lipinski and former Chicago City Hall reporter and syndicated columnist Ray Hanania. Listen to the first episode below Bill Lipinski and Ray Hanania have partnered to offer a…

Baby Boomers, Bill Lipinski, Chicago, Cook County, Government, National, News, NewsWire, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland