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

Orland Township partners with Jewel-Osco to provide vaccines for Seniors

March 2, 2021March 2, 2021 Ray Hanania

Orland Township partners with Jewel-Osco to provide vaccines for Seniors ‘Together We Vaxed’: Orland Township, in Partnership with Jewel-Osco. Township arranges COVID-19 Vaccine for Nearly 500 Local Seniors Seniors Arriving Monday and Tuesday at Victor J. Andrew High School to Receive First Dose of Vaccine; Second Dose Scheduled for March 22 and 23 Nearly 500 local…

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

Chicago Wolves beat Grand Rapids Griffins 8 to 4

March 1, 2021 Ray Hanania

Chicago Wolves beat Grand Rapids Griffins 8 to 4 Wolves score early and often to avenge first loss of season Two days after the Grand Rapids Griffins handed the Chicago Wolves their first loss, the Wolves responded with an 8-4 triumph over the Griffins Sunday afternoon at the Wolves Training Facility. Jamieson Rees scored two…

Chicago, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Grand Rapids Griffins blunt Chicago Wolves Hockey 7-0 win streak

February 27, 2021February 27, 2021 Ray Hanania

Grand Rapids Griffins blunt Chicago Wolves Hockey 7-0 win streak Pitlick scores AHL-best seventh goal in Chicago’s first loss of season Forward Riley Barber scored a pair of goals and Kevin Boyle posted 22 saves as the Grand Rapids Griffins earned a 4-1 win over the Chicago Wolves on Friday night at Van Andel Arena….

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

22nd District officials will name new successor to Madigan

February 24, 2021February 24, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

22nd District officials will name new successor to Madigan By Ray Hanania After the surprise decision by Edward Kodatt to withdraw from the appointment to succeed Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan as the representative for the 22nd Illinois House District, Madigan announced that the district’s Democratic Committeemen will reconvene on Thursday, Jan. 25, to…

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

Kodatt selected to succeed Madigan by 22nd District community leaders

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Kodatt selected to succeed Madigan by 22nd District community leaders Leaders of the 22nd Illinois House District voted to name longtime district resident Edward Kodatt as the successor to fill the seat held since 1971 by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. The vote reflects the will of the district’s voters and community leaders and…

Chicago, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago Wolves win with strong lead over Iowa Wild

February 21, 2021February 21, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves win with strong lead over Iowa Wild The Chicago Wolves scored four goals in the first eight minutes to trigger a 10-2 victory over the Iowa Wild on Saturday night at the Wolves Training Facility. The Wolves tied the franchise record for victory margin and reached double figures in goals for just the…

Chicago, Entertainment, Features, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago’s Italian American Community responds to Monuments Project

February 19, 2021February 19, 2021 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Chicago’s Italian American Community responds to Monuments Project The City of Chicago, in a release distributed on February 17, 2021, launched the Chicago Monuments Project website at chicagomonuments.org kicking off the public engagement phase of the Chicago Monuments Project. The new website identifies monumental sculptures, artworks, and commemorative plaques on the public way and in…

Chicago, Cook County, News, Politics, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

Mike Madigan does get to select his successor

February 19, 2021July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mike Madigan does get to select his successor The decision on who should succeed #MichaelJMadigan in the #22ndDistrict belongs to the voters, not to the news media media pundits nor to the loudmouthed revolutionaries and activists. The right way to fill the vacancy when Madigan resigned from the Illinois House is to allow the #Democrat…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Madigan resigns ending half century of leadership

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan resigns ending a half century of leadership Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan ended a half century long career in public service on Thursday, February 18, 2021, resigning from his seat as representative of the 22nd House District in Illinois and his role as Speaker of the House. By Ray Hanania Michael J Madigan,…

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

Building on Efforts to Protect Illinois Families, Gov. Pritzker Delivers Third Balanced Budget Proposal

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Building on Efforts to Protect Illinois Families, Gov. Pritzker Delivers Third Balanced Budget Proposal Proposed Budget Does Not Increase Income Taxes, Closes Nearly $1 Billion in Corporate Tax Loopholes; Invests in Human Services to Strengthen Safety Net During Pandemic Crisis With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to hurt families across Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker proposed his…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Chicago Wolves continue winning streak with 5-0 record

February 16, 2021February 16, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves continue winning streak with 5-0 record Suzuki scores first pro goal in win over Rockford Icehogs Beck Warm rejected 37 shots and Ryan Suzuki scored his first professional goal as the Chicago Wolves stayed undefeated with a 3-2 road victory over the Rockford IceHogs Tuesday night. Forwards Anthony Richard and Phil Tomasino joined…

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

McLaughlin responds to false claims from Pekau

February 16, 2021April 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

McLaughlin responds to false claims from Pekau Dan McLaughlin Calls Out His Opponent’s Continued Partisan Games, Pledges to Host Regular Office Hours to Talk to the Community. As Mayor Pekau continues to play partisan games and waste taxpayer time on discredited political attacks, candidate Dan McLaughlin reaffirms his commitment to get to work for Orland…

elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Popular Orland Township Senior Drop-In Returns

February 16, 2021February 16, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Popular Orland Township Senior Drop-In Returns Even frigid February temperatures could not keep Orland Township seniors away, as they happily entered the Orland Chateau for the Township’s popular senior drop-in, according to the office of Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady. Reconnecting with friends, playing cards, snacks and, of course, a long-awaited session of bingo, brought…

Baby Boomers, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Trump’s acquittal exposes the hypocrisy of the Far Left

February 14, 2021July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Trump’s acquittal exposes the hypocrisy of the Far Left The lack of evidence, not cowardly Republicans, brought down the Democrat insurrection of impeachment conviction against Donald Trump. There was less evidence to prove President Trump pushed his followers to violence than evidence that exists that Democrats screaming for Trump impeachment goaded BLM protestors to violence…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, elections, Government, Media Bias, Opinion, Police, Politics, Racism, rayhanania

Seniors are pushed aside in Illinois COVID-19 vaccination program

February 14, 2021February 14, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Seniors are pushed aside in Illinois COVID-19 vaccination program Illinois isn’t even halfway through giving COVID-19 vaccinations to seniors and Gov. J.B. Pritzker is already talking about expanding the eligibility list for vaccinations to include others. The truth is we don’t have enough vaccinations to go around and what we have is being dished out…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, coronavirus, Editors Pick, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park: McLaughlin slams Pekau’s political campaign lies

February 13, 2021February 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park: McLaughlin slams Pekau’s political campaign lies Three lies (and one just plain weird thing) Keith Pekau said during the Orland Park Chamber of Commerce Town Hall. At this point, we’re not sure if Keith Pekau even hears the lies he tells. During Wednesday’s Chamber of Commerce Town Hall (Feb. 10, 2021), Mayor Keith Pekau…

Cook County, elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics

Chicago Wolves beat the Grand Rapids Griffins in 4th straight win

February 11, 2021February 11, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves beat the Grand Rapids Griffins in 4th straight win Cotton scores twice; Warm wins pro debut in net Rookie forward David Cotton produced two goals in his second professional game and goaltender Beck Warm stopped 36 shots in his pro debut as the Chicago Wolves earned a 4-2 decision over the Grand Rapids…

Cook County, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois Tollway wins Excellence Award for snow, Ice control

February 11, 2021February 11, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Illinois Tollway wins Excellence Award for snow, Ice control Illinois Tollway wins Excellence Award for snow, Ice control from the American public Works Association. Illinois Tollway is one of only three agencies honored In recognition of its outstanding work during winter storms to keep customers safe and roads clear, the Illinois Tollway has received the 2021…

Cook County, Government, Illinois Legislature, NewsWire, Regional Midwest, Transportation