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

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, 2021December 19, 2025 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, Restaurant Review, 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

Wolves capture another division title

May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 Ray Hanania

Wolves capture another division title Chicago clinches Central led by Cotton’s hat trick and Warm’s shutout First-year forward David Cotton recorded his first hat trick and rookie goaltender Beck Warm stopped 35 shots as the Chicago Wolves clinched their fourth division title in five years with a 7-0 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins Wednesday…

Chicago, Cook County, Entertainment, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Airlines deal with COVID but not the everyday travel problems

May 13, 2021May 13, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Airlines deal with COVID but not the everyday travel problems The airports know how to apply restrictions and procedures to deal with coronavirus, but they have no idea how to make air travel safer and more efficient, failing to deal with passengers who drag all their luggage on to planes, boarding hassles, and inconveniences for…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Business, Chicago, Commentary, Opinion, Travel

Census shows Americans fleeing from the East to the Western states

May 13, 2021July 12, 2021 Ray Hanania

Census shows Americans fleeing from the East to the Western states The US Census shows populations fleeing from mostly Eastern states overwhelmed with crime, tax funded welfare programs encouraging many to remain home rather than work, and high levels of taxation that include burdening senior citizens. Originally published in the Southwest News Newspaper Group May…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Racism, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Pappas hosts tax forum Sunday in Bridgeview

May 11, 2021May 11, 2021 Ray Hanania

Pappas hosts tax forum Sunday in Bridgeview Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas joins the Arab American Democratic Club (AADCIL.org) Samir Khalil and Sonia Khalil, and the Arab American Chamber of Commerce (AACCUSA.org) Hassan Nijem on Sunday May 16 10 AM to 1 PM at Nikko’s Banquet Hall at 7600 S. Harlem Avenue. Pappas will unveil…

Chicago, Cook County, Events, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Bullies and cliques plague Nextdoor Social Media site

May 8, 2021July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania

Opinion: Bullies and cliques plague Nextdoor Social Media site Nextdoor, the social media site that allegedly is intended to bring “neighbors” together to discuss local issues and concerns, is more of a bully pulpit for narrow-minded political partisanship where cliques dominate the discussions and censor anyone they dislike without accountability. The Nextdoor site often portrays…

Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, General Topics, National, Opinion, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Alderman David Moore Enters Secretary of State Race

May 7, 2021May 7, 2021 Ray Hanania

Chicago Alderman David Moore Enters Secretary of State Race Chicago South Side Alderman David Moore is announcing his run for Illinois Secretary of State to replace long time incumbent Jesse White, who is retiring at the end of his term in January 2023. Moore is the fifth candidate to enter the race for one of…

Chicago, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Pappas celebrates Mother’s Day giving away roses on MagMile

May 7, 2021May 7, 2021 Ray Hanania

Pappas celebrates Mother’s Day giving away roses on MagMile Pappas and Jordan celebrate Mother’s Day by giving away 500 fresh-cut Ecuadorian roses on the Magnificent Mile with Luxe Bloom On Sunday, May 9, between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Cook County Treasurer Pappas and Media Personality “Candid” Candace Jordan will host a Mother’s Day celebration…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, News, NewsWire

County Executive David Crowley Statement on Recent Acts of Gun Violence

May 4, 2021May 4, 2021 Ray Hanania

County Executive David Crowley Statement on Recent Acts of Gun Violence County Executive David Crowley released the following statement Tuesday May 4, 2021 regarding the recent outbreak of gun related violence in Milwaukee County: “On behalf of all of Milwaukee County, I share a sense of urgency with many in the community regarding gun violence…

Government, News