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

Tinley Park police identify drivers of vehicles covered in racial slurs

June 2, 2021June 2, 2021 Ray Hanania

Tinley Park police identify drivers of vehicles covered in racial slurs Over the Memorial Day weekend, the Tinley Park Police Department received several complaints after two vehicles were spotted driving around the village with racial slurs written on them with duct tape. Surrounding municipalities also received similar complaints. Police have identified the drivers as two…

Cook County, Crime, Government, News, NewsWire, Police, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

New Cook County Renter Rights & Protection laws take effect June 1

June 1, 2021June 1, 2021 Ray Hanania

New Cook County Renter Rights & Protection laws take effect June 1 Ordinance extends protections to more than 200,000 renters On June 1, 2021, all provisions of the Cook County Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RTLO) will go into effect. The ordinance extends housing protections to renters and landlords in more than 245,000 suburban households. “Substandard…

Briefs, Cook County, General Topics, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Orland Park drops from “Safest City” list while Orland Hills rises

June 1, 2021June 9, 2021 Ray Hanania

Orland Park drops from “Safest City” list while Orland Hills rises Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau tried to distract voters from the community’s rising crime rate by citing a real estate website which asserted that Orland Park was one of the “safest cities” in Illinois. But a recent survey by Safewise, which is considered more…

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

No Whites allowed in Lightfoot’s Chicago

May 31, 2021July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

No Whites allowed in Lightfoot’s Chicago Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is a real lightweight when it comes to Chicago mayors. She is not just afraid to take on tough issues and doesn’t know how to deal with Chicago’s out-of-control street gang gun violence, but she is a racist and only wants to do interviews with…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Fatherhood symposium set for June 12

May 31, 2021May 31, 2021 Ray Hanania

Fatherhood symposium set for June 12 The Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood, a state board established in 2004 to promote paternal involvement – particularly by single and divorced fathers – in the upbringing of their children, will present its 2021 annual symposium on Saturday, June 12, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. The symposium will be conducted via…

Chicago, Cook County, Events, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Post Office rate hikes made after slow service and delays

May 28, 2021May 28, 2021 Ray Hanania

Post Office rate hikes made after slow service and delays With Commitment to Affordability and Financial Sustainability, U.S. Postal Service Proceeds with Request for Postal Rate Change Pricing actions part of balanced approach under “Delivering for America,” the Postal Service’s 10-year plan for achieving financial sustainability and service excellence Following rate changes, USPS prices to…

Federal, Government, News, NewsWire, Politics, Taxes

Construction on I-294 will cause delays

May 28, 2021May 28, 2021 Ray Hanania

Construction on I-294 will cause delays Detours scheduled through Mid-June on 79th Street Ramp, Archer Avenue for ongoing bridge work on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project Long-term closures and detours are scheduled in June for the ramp connecting westbound 79thStreet to LaGrange Road and on westbound Archer Avenue for pavement work as part of…

Chicago, construction, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Chicago Families Demand Senate President Don Harmon and Mayor Lori Lightfoot Stop Standing in the Way of Chicago Voters & Families

May 28, 2021May 28, 2021 Ray Hanania

Chicago Families Demand Senate President Don Harmon and Mayor Lori Lightfoot Stop Standing in the Way of Chicago Voters & Families CHICAGO – With four days left in the legislative session, the Grassroots Education Movement (GEM) coalition will hold an 11AM press conference to demand that Mayor Lori Lightfoot step out of the way and…

Chicago, Education, Government, Illinois Legislature, NewsWire

Online forum hosted by Arab American Chamber of Commerce honors Tabares and Pappas

May 27, 2021May 27, 2021 Ray Hanania

Online forum hosted by Arab American Chamber of Commerce honors Tabares and Pappas #AmericanArabChamberofCommerce forum May 27, 2021 with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas program to help Arab businesses; 23rd Ald Silvana Tabares, AACC Pres Hassan Nijem, House of #Hookah owner #RayidKhalil on saving 300 Arab American jobs. Click here to watch the video. The…

Business, Chicago, Cook County, Features, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Texas de Brazil in Orland Park rocks

May 26, 2021July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania

Texas de Brazil in Orland Park rocks With the COVID pandemic easing and more and more people getting vaccinations, it just felt GREAT to get out of the house and enjoy a meal at a great restaurant. And one of the best restaurants is Texas de Brazil in the Orland Park Mall. Although the Orland…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Entertainment, Features, food, Health, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

Live Arab Radio focusses on Secretary of State Blinken Middle East peace mission

May 26, 2021May 26, 2021 Ray Hanania

Live Arab Radio focusses on Secretary of State Blinken Middle East peace mission On this week’s show, Ray Hanania interviewed Chris Hodges, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Assistance Coordination and Press and Public Diplomacy at the State Department’s Bureau for Near Eastern Affairs, on Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s trip to the Middle East. Secretary…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, National, News, Podcast, Videos

Orland Township presents Scholarship awards

May 26, 2021May 26, 2021 Ray Hanania

Orland Township presents Scholarship awards The Orland Township Scholarship Foundation awarded 17 area students scholarships recognizing their academic excellence. The scholarship presentations were made by Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and members of the Orland Township board which is recognized as one of the best and most efficient government agencies in the Orland Park region Orland…

Cook County, Education, Features, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

2021 Orland Township Board Swearing-In Ceremony

May 25, 2021May 25, 2021 Ray Hanania

2021 Orland Township Board Swearing-In Ceremony Orland Township Swears-In New Board Members as Orland Township residents celebrate the installation of a stable, credible government leadership. Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady is recognized as one of the premiere leaders for the Orland Park region, respected by elected officials at every level On Monday, May 17th, 2021…

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

Understanding the conflict between Israel and Palestine

May 22, 2021July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania

Understanding the conflict between Israel and Palestine Most Americans don’t understand the truth of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. That’s ironic considering that most Americans are Christian and they don’t seem to care for the plight of Christians in the conflict at all. Christians are allied with Muslims and are being persecuted by Israel’s…

Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania

Suspect arrested in Maywood murder

May 22, 2021May 22, 2021 Ray Hanania

Suspect arrested in Maywood murder On March 12th 2019, shortly after 8pm the Maywood Police Department responded to the area of the 1100 block of Madison Ave for a man shot. Upon arrival, Maywood Officers found Isaiah Scott, 19, of Maywood, suffering from a gunshot wound to the body. Isaiah Scott was transported to Loyola…

Cook County, Crime, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Congress members Newman and Garcia introduce bill to make public transit more accessible

May 18, 2021May 18, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Congress members Newman and Garcia introduce bill to make public transit more accessible New ASAP Act would establish a federal grant program to upgrade transit systems across the nation to be 100% accessible On Tuesday May 18, 2021, U.S. Representatives Marie Newman (D-IL-03) and Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04) introduced legislation to make public transportation…

Chicago, Cook County, Federal, Government, National, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation

Smith named principal at Carl Sandburg High school District 230

May 18, 2021 Ray Hanania

Smith named principal at Carl Sandburg High school District 230 The High School District 230 School Board unanimously approved the hiring of Dr. Derrick Smith as Principal of Sandburg High School beginning on July 1, 2021. “The School Board looks forward to seeing Dr. Smith’s passion for student achievement and connection shine in his new…

Cook County, Education, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Paramount Theater resumes live performance August 18, 2021

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021 Ray Hanania

Paramount Theater resumes live performance August 18, 2021 First live performance will be the performance “Kiny Boots” Nearly 14 months after dimming its lights, Aurora’s Paramount Theatre announced today it plans to welcome audiences back for live performances in August with Chicago’s first regional production of Kinky Boots. “It’s my great pleasure to say: We…

Cook County, Entertainment, Features, News, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland, Theater