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

National media creates confusion with vote count in the 14th Congressional District

November 9, 2020November 9, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

National media creates confusion with vote count in the 14th Congressional District News media inflates election results to help Lauren Underwood campaign over challenger Jim Oberweis. But Oberweis and election officials say his lead remains solid and Congresswoman Lauren Underwood continues to lag behind Oberweis election numbers While the New York Times and other national…

elections, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

More than 10,000 COVID-19 Deaths in Illinois

November 5, 2020November 5, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

More than 10,000 COVID-19 Deaths in Illinois Public health officials report 9,935 new cases since yesterday. Orland Park infection rates spike, doubling the average monthly increase to nearly 700 new cases The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 9,935 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 97 additional deaths. – Adams…

coronavirus, Health, News, news release, Orland Park, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

History of Al-Andalus featured in special “Deep Dive” by the Arab News newspaper

November 5, 2020November 5, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

History of Al-Andalus featured in special “Deep Dive” by the Arab News newspaper How eight centuries of Muslim rule in what is now Spain led to a golden age of culture and science in the emirates of the Iberian Peninsula. An investigation by Arab News’ new Research & Studies Unit tracks down some of the descendants of…

Education, Features, news release

Orland Park experiences worst COVID-19 infection spike in 8 months

November 2, 2020November 2, 2020 Ray Hanania 4 Comments

Orland Park experiences worst COVID-19 infection spike in 8 months As Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau fiddles, Orland Park burns as Coronavirus infections experienced its largest ever increase during the past 28 days, of 696 new cases, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Pekau has resisted issuing a mandate requiring all residents to…

Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Politics, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Orland Township to Host Senior Luncheons

October 29, 2020October 29, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Township to Host Senior Luncheons Tickets go on sale Nov. 4 for Orland Townships popular Thanksgiving luncheon in mid-November hosted by Supervisor Paul O’Grady whose senior services have been showcased as among the best in the Southwest suburbs Orland Township’s popular senior luncheons are returning, starting with the Thanksgiving luncheon in mid-November followed by the holiday…

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

Dr. Robert J. Nolting named next District 230 Superintendent

October 29, 2020October 29, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Dr. Robert J. Nolting named next District 230 Superintendent The Consolidated High School District 230 School Board announced Thursday evening that they have voted unanimously to hire Dr. Robert J. Nolting as the district’s next Superintendent following the retirement of Dr. James M. Gay. “We knew after meeting with Dr. Nolting that D230 is a…

Education, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Pappas study shows Cook County Property taxes doubled in past two decades

October 29, 2020October 29, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas study shows Cook County Property taxes doubled in past two decades Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas discusses how property taxes have doubled over the past 20 years in Cook County with the largest increases in Suburban Chicagoland, increasing more than 116 percent during the past two decades. Pappas discusses the study her office completed…

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

Tinley man charged after accidentally shooting friend

October 28, 2020October 28, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tinley man charged after accidentally shooting friend Robert A. Cannon, 18, of 84th and Brookpoint Court in Tinley Park was charged on Oct. 28, 2020 with aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and reckless conduct after accidentally shooting his friend in the face with a handgun Oct. 25 at his home….

Cook County, Crime, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Candidates, Judges and community leaders address AADC online rally

October 26, 2020October 26, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Candidates, Judges and community leaders address AADC online rally Arab Americans encouraged to be fully engaged in the November 3, 2020 General Election and to make their voices heard by the candidates, local government officials, and the news media. The 3 hour online Zoom Annual Rally for Candidates hosted by the Arab American Democratic Club…

Cook County, elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Voters by state with most influence in Presidential & Senate elections

October 26, 2020October 26, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Voters by state with most influence in Presidential & Senate elections With the 2020 election a little over a week away and voters’ influence varying from state to state, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2020’s States with the Most & Least Powerful Voters, as well as accompanying videos. WalletHub compared the…

elections, Federal, Government, News, Politics

Biden seen as being better for Middle East according to Arab News/YouGov poll sees

October 25, 2020October 25, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Biden seen as being better for Middle East according to Arab News/YouGov poll sees Biden seen as better for the Middle East, but most Arabs want him to shun Obama era policies: Arab News/YouGov poll. Majority of respondents believe both Presidential candidates would be bad for the region. Trump scores higher on Iran policies, but not on Jerusalem…

elections, Features, National, news release, Politics

California 50th and Illinois 3rd Congressional battles explored on Arab Radio

October 20, 2020July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

California 50th and Illinois 3rd Congressional battles explored on Arab Radio The Ray Hanania Show on WNZK AM 690 Radio on the US Arab Radio Network and simulcast live on the Arab News Newspaper Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/TheArabNews will feature two guests who Will examine the role of Arab American voters in the President Battle…

Chicago, Cook County, Editors Pick, elections, Federal, Government, National, News, Orland Park, Podcast, Politics, Radio, rayhanania, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Four Cook County Judges you should watch out for

October 19, 2020July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Opinion: Four Cook County Judges you should watch out for The politics of judicial retentions: Why you should look hard at all of the judges running for re-election, ignore the politicians and the legal bar associations and instead remember those names who surface during the year and vote against their retention. One of the judges…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, elections, Government, News, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Nothing Fair about the so-called “Fair Tax”

October 18, 2020July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Nothing Fair about the so-called “Fair Tax” When you have to label something as “Fair,” it usually means that it is lacking that quality. There is nothing “fair” about the Fair Tax. Have you ever known government to end a “temporary” tax, or return tax money that has been collected for special time-length projects like…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Transportation

Trump’s COVID-19 infection makes re-election uncertain

October 18, 2020October 18, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Trump’s COVID-19 infection makes re-election uncertain President Trump’s illness with coronavirus exposes an election soft spot that could cost him the Nov. 3, 2020 General election. Trump was treated by the newest antibiotic treatments that are not available to the general public. And, when he did get COVID-19, he didn’t turn to using hydroxychloroquine which he…

Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, elections, Government, Health, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Township and Secretary of State cut ribbon on new service facility

October 17, 2020October 17, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Orland Township and Secretary of State cut ribbon on new service facility Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White officially opened the new Secretary of State Service facility that was pushed out of Orland Park Village Hall by Mayor Keith Pekau. The move by O’Grady and White keeps the important…

Cook County, Events, Features, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast: Factors in the Trump-Biden election battle

October 15, 2020October 16, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast: Factors in the Trump-Biden election battle Veteran former Chicago City Hall reporter and columnist Ray Hanania looks at the factors that will decide the presidential election battle between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden in his podcast at “Ray Hanania on Politics.” Season 2 Episode 8 Oct….

Chicago, elections, Federal, Government, News, Opinion, Podcast, Political Pundit, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois Health officials announce highest one-day COVID-19 totals – 4,015 new cases

October 15, 2020October 15, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Health officials announce highest one-day COVID-19 totals – 4,015 new cases Orland Park, one of many of Illinois’ pandemic-challenged communities, sees spike in Coronavirus infections but takes no action to address the continued COVID-19 infection rate as infections grow throughout the state. At leads the State is trying to take action The Illinois Department…

Business, Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, News, news release, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland