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

Release of Alex Winter’s highly acclaimed documentary on Frank Zappa, “Zappa,”

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Release of Alex Winter’s highly acclaimed documentary on Frank Zappa, “Zappa,”

Release of Alex Winter’s highly acclaimed documentary on Frank Zappa, “Zappa,” Forget Black Friday, Franksgiving is the real event as today ushers in the long-awaited release of Alex Winter’s highly acclaimed documentary, “Zappa,” about the prolific genius composer, free speech activist, cultural ambassador to Czechoslovakia and legendary musician, Frank Zappa, as well as the surprise digital…

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Entertainment, Features

New State-of-the-Art Cannabis Dispensary Coming to Chicago Suburbs

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New State-of-the-Art Cannabis Dispensary Coming to Chicago Suburbs

New State-of-the-Art Cannabis Dispensary Coming to Chicago Suburbs Consume Cannabis Co. is opening a destination dispensary with interactive displays, educational experiences, and a variety of products in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois Consume Cannabis Company is excited to announce the opening of its newest location, aimed to be an immersive and educational experience into the world of…

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Business, Chicago, Cook County, Health, News, Suburban Chicagoland

“Conspiradentalism” and the murder of John F. Kennedy

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“Conspiradentalism” and the murder of John F. Kennedy

“Conspiradentalism” and the murder of John F. Kennedy The murder of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963 put a dark cloud over every Thanksgiving celebration since, especially given the failure of the government to convincingly resolve the mystery of who was behind the assassination and the accused assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. Many political…

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Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Crime, Federal, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland

Study shows Cicero has lowest tax increases in Chicagoland

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Study shows Cicero has lowest tax increases in Chicagoland

Study shows Cicero has lowest tax increases in Chicagoland A recent study released by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas shows that the Town of Cicero had the lowest tax increases of more than 35 suburban Chicagoland communities during the past 20 years. The Pappas study shows the average increase is 95.4 percent with many communities…

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Chicago, Cook County, Editors Pick, Government, News, news release, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Patlak and Wendt exchange courteous words in example of positive election transition

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Patlak and Wendt exchange courteous words in example of positive election transition

Patlak and Wendt exchange courteous words in example of positive election transition After a grueling election fight for the First District of the Cook County Board of Review, the Cook County Board of Elections issued a certification officially declaring Democrat Tammy Wendt as the winner over Republican incumbent Dan Patlak. The two contenders issued statements…

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breaking news, Cook County, elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

The Coronavirus versus the “cost virus,” the public is paying for it

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The Coronavirus versus the “cost virus,” the public is paying for it

The Coronavirus versus the “cost virus,” the public is paying for it As American’s continue to suffer through the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic, the virus continues to create opportunities for industries like Cable TV for price gouging and requires fees for everything. It’s not subtle. But Americans are being forced to pay a steep price to…

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Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, Entertainment, General Topics, Government, Movies, News, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors

Suspect in Bridgeview car and child theft arrested, charged and to appear in bond court this morning

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Suspect in Bridgeview car and child theft arrested, charged and to appear in bond court this morning

Suspect in Bridgeview car and child theft arrested, charged and to appear in bond court this morning Bridgeview Police filed multiple charges against Rudy Gutierrez, 28, in the theft of a vehicle and four-year-old child Liam Barbarasa on Monday evening around 5:35 PM from in front of a 7-Eleven at 79th and Roberts Road. Barbarasa was…

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breaking news, Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Government, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Trump his own worst enemy; Biden’s supporters are hypocrites

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Trump his own worst enemy; Biden’s supporters are hypocrites

Trump his own worst enemy; Biden’s supporters are hypocrites By Ray Hanania If there is one thing that came out of Tuesday’s election, besides the important election of Joe Biden as our unofficial president-elect, it is the hypocrisy of American politics, the media and the haters. The election showed America is almost equally divided with…

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Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, National, Opinion, Politics

Tinley Park hosting Holiday House Decorating Contest

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Tinley Park hosting Holiday House Decorating Contest

Tinley Park hosting Holiday House Decorating Contest Residents can help light up Tinley Park by participating in the Village’s Holiday House Decorating Contest! To enter, residents can visit TinleyPark.org/HolidayShine and fill out the provided form on the page. A photo of the decorated home is required with the submission. Residents can also text a five-second…

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Features, News, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

As mail-in votes are counted, Tammy Wendt surges to apparent victory over Dan Patlak in election upset

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As mail-in votes are counted, Tammy Wendt surges to apparent victory over Dan Patlak in election upset

As mail-in votes are counted, Tammy Wendt surges to apparent victory over Dan Patlak in election upset As mail-in ballots continue to be counted, the Cook County contest for Board of Review inn the First District race between Dan Patlak & Tammy Wendt flipped with Wendt now soundly leading by 3,695 votes. Patlak was declared…

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Chicago, Cook County, elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Public Health Officials Announce 12,702 New Cases of Coronavirus Disease

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Public Health Officials Announce 12,702 New Cases of Coronavirus Disease

Public Health Officials Announce 12,702 New Cases of Coronavirus Disease The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 12,702 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 43 additional deaths. – Adams County: 1 male 80s – Brown County: 1 male 90s – Bureau County: 1 male 90s – Clinton County: 1 male 50s,…

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Cook County, coronavirus, Health, News, Suburban Chicagoland

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

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

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…

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elections, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

More than 10,000 COVID-19 Deaths in Illinois

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More than 10,000 COVID-19 Deaths in Illinois

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…

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

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

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

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…

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Education, Features, news release

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

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

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…

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

Orland Township to Host Senior Luncheons

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Orland Township to Host Senior Luncheons

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…

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

Dr. Robert J. Nolting named next District 230 Superintendent

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Dr. Robert J. Nolting named next District 230 Superintendent

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…

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Education, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

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

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

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…

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