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

Illinois Secretary of State’s race heats up as candidates begin campaigns

August 18, 2021November 16, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Illinois Secretary of State’s race heats up as candidates begin campaigns Illinois voters have a lot of strong and qualified candidates to consider in the important race for Illinois Secretary of State. Here is an overview of the leading candidates who are hoping to succeed Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White in the June 2022…

Chicago, Cook County, elections, Features, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Special Column/Podcast: Ald. Lopez says Mayor Lightfoot’s failures empower street gangs

August 17, 2021August 17, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Special Column/Podcast: Ald. Lopez says Mayor Lightfoot’s failures empower street gangs 15th Ward Alderman Raymond Lopez in an interview this week told me that Mayor Lori Lightfoot has not only failed to confront street gangs but has empowered them with her rhetoric and failed policies. Coupled with States Attorney Kim Foxx’s failed policies, street gangs are emboldened and…

Chicago, Crime, Government, News, Podcast, Police, Politics, rayhanania

Wolves broadcasts return to MY50 Chicago for 2021-22 Season

August 17, 2021August 17, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves broadcasts return to MY50 Chicago for 2021-22 Season Jason Shaver and Bill Gardner will be over-the-air for opener on Oct. 16 The Chicago Wolves and Fox 32 Chicago are pleased to announce My50 Chicago (WPWR-TV) will broadcast 30 Wolves regular-season games during the 2021-22 American Hockey League season. The Wolves’ partnership with WPWR-TV marks…

News

Special Column: Reinstate death penalty in the killing of police

August 15, 2021August 15, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Special Column: Reinstate death penalty in the killing of police The shooting murder of Chicago Police Officer Ella French and the wounding of her partner by three suspects revives calls to reinstate the death penalty for individuals who kill someone intentionally with gun. They should be put to death with no compassion. Killing these killers…

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

Community turns out for Orland Township Health Fair

August 14, 2021August 14, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Community turns out for Orland Township Health Fair The public turned out to ready their children for the opening of local schools at the Orland Township Back-to-School Health Fair Saturday August 14. Orland Township’s Back-to-School Health Fair, hosted by Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Board of Trustees, greeted the families and were joined…

Cook County, Education, Events, Features, Government, Health, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Reps Newman & Salazar propose benefits to Panama Canal Veterans exposed to Agent Orange

August 13, 2021August 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Reps Newman & Salazar propose benefits to Panama Canal Veterans exposed to Agent Orange The Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act would grant federal benefits to veterans who served in or near the Panama Canal Zone (PCZ), all of whom were potentially exposed to deadly tactical herbicides such as Agent Orange U.S. Representatives Marie Newman (D-IL-03)…

Federal, Government, National, News, Veterans

Media portrayal of Arabs after Sept. 11 focus on ADC panel Aug. 16

August 13, 2021August 25, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Media portrayal of Arabs after Sept. 11 focus on ADC panel Aug. 16 ADC Presents a virtual online Zoom forum exploring the Post September 11th Media Portrayal of Arabs & Muslims with a panel of professional journalists. veteran journalist Ali Younes, who will be joined by Program Director at Rethink Media Adrienne Mahsa Varkiani; Arab…

Chicago, Cook County, Events, Media Bias, News, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Garage fire in Orland Park, no injuries

August 12, 2021August 12, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Garage fire in Orland Park, no injuries The Orland Fire District was alerted at 9:46am of a house fire on Wednesday, August 11th by a neighbor that noticed smoke coming from an unoccupied house in the 14900 block of Dogwood. The first arriving companies arrived within 3 minutes from the time of the alarm. Battalion…

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

Hard to feel sorry for Blagojevich, but it’s not about him

August 10, 2021August 10, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hard to feel sorry for Blagojevich, but it’s not about him It’s hard to feel sorry for former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. He was so obnoxious and arrogant. But the decision on whether he should return to public office doesn’t belong with Big Brother and the politicians. It belongs to voters. Censorship is wrong. By…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

WordPress Update: Google’s SiteKit crashing websites across internet

August 10, 2021August 10, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

WordPress Update: Google’s SiteKit crashing websites across internet By Ray Hanania Google’s once essential SiteKit, popular plugin for WordPress websites, has crashed this week taking down thousands of websites and making them inaccessible to their owners. Owners who try to access the site will be directed by email to go into “Recovery Mode” and you…

Business, Releases, Technology

Dinner kitchen Apartment fire Monday August 8, no injuries, minor smoke damage

August 10, 2021August 10, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dinner kitchen Apartment fire Monday August 8, no injuries, minor smoke damage The Orland Fire Protection District responded to a kitchen fire in an apartment building Monday Aug. 8, 2021 at 9023 Franklin 2nd floor east unit around 6:30 pm. The homeowner was preparing food for dinner on the stove when the fire occurred. Crews…

Business, Cook County, Fire, Government, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Photos

COVID surges among children, CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics report

August 8, 2021August 9, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

COVID surges among children, CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics report While some politicians are spreading misinformation about the spread of COVID exploiting children in order to sell fundraising tickets and distract taxpayers from their failed leadership, real doctors at the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics who actually know and are trained in…

Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, Government, Health, News, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Thousands turnout to honor oldest aerospace trailblazer Wally Funk in Grapevine, Texas

August 8, 2021August 8, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Thousands turnout to honor oldest aerospace trailblazer Wally Funk in Grapevine, Texas Parade, Presentation and Ice Cream Social Commemorate Historic Tourism Space Flight. Wally Funk is the oldest person ever to rocket into space. Thousands lined up today to honor hometown hero Wally Funk during a parade down Historic Main Street and a presentation on…

Baby Boomers, Editors Pick, Features, General Topics, National, News, NewsWire, Seniors, Technology

Pet-Palooza scheduled for Sept. 25 in Orland Township

August 4, 2021August 4, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Pet-Palooza scheduled for Sept. 25 in Orland Township Orland Township’s Pet-Palooza returns on September 25! Orland Township’s 9th Annual Pet-Palooza is scheduled for Saturday, September 25, from noon to 3 p.m. on the Orland Township grounds, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park! This is a rain or shine event. Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Board…

Cook County, Features, Government, News, Orland Park

Orland Township hosts Back-to-School Health Fair for students

August 4, 2021August 9, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township hosts Back-to-School Health Fair for students The Back-to-School Health Fair is taking place on Saturday, August 14th Orland Township’s Back-to-School Health Fair is quickly approaching! Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Board of Trustees are excited to help everyone get ready to go back to school. The fair, which will take place on Saturday,…

Government, Health, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Tired of athletes who use their celebrity for narrow political agendas

August 3, 2021August 4, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Tired of athletes who use their celebrity for narrow political agendas I am really tired of privileged athletes who use their celebrity as a platform to promote divisiveness, especially when they fuel the flames of racism. Raven Saunders crossing her arms in protest supposedly to support “the oppressed” is truly unprofessional and selfish By Ray…

Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, Racism, rayhanania, Sports

President Preckwinkle Cuts Ribbon on New and Improved Sand Ridge Campus

August 2, 2021August 3, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

President Preckwinkle Cuts Ribbon on New and Improved Sand Ridge Campus Investing approximately $1.6 million in enhancements to a cluster of amenities on one square mile of southeast Cook County, the Forest Preserves of Cook County celebrated a new, integrated vision of a campus for visitors to hike, bike, camp, birdwatch, swim, fish, play, learn…

Cook County, Entertainment, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Motown comes to Orland Township

August 2, 2021August 2, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Motown comes to Orland Township Sam Savage and Company helped seniors dance the night away to some Motown favorites. Some 362 seniors attended Orland Township’s Motown Dinner Dance on Thursday, July 29. The dance, held at Orland Chateau, is one of the many dinner dances for the Township that has seen a sudden increase in…

Baby Boomers, Entertainment, Features, Government, News, Orland Park, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland