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

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

Trump trial driven more by politics than truth

February 10, 2021February 11, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Trump trial driven more by politics than truth There is absolutely no basis for a conviction of President Trump. Being an unpopular, misogynist and a self-centered egotist is not enough to convict someone for the violence that has plagued this country on both sides for the past five years even before Trump. All they are…

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

Fire at Orland Park home; firefighters urge residents to clear snow from nearby fire hydrants

February 10, 2021February 10, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fire at Orland Park home; firefighters urge residents to clear snow from nearby fire hydrants One resident treated for smoke inhalation in attached garage fire. Firefighters had to dig out fire hydrants that were hidden by accumulated snow shoveled and plowed from driveways. The Orland Fire Protection District urged residents to help ensure that the fire…

breaking news, Cook County, Fire, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

McLaughlin responds to public calls to open Police Center at Orland mall

February 10, 2021February 10, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

McLaughlin responds to public calls to open Police Center at Orland mall Former Mayor Dan McLaughlin is proposing adding a satellite police station at the Orland Park Mall, the site of where many increased incidents of violence have taken place during the past few years. Although Mayor Pekau is playing down the violence, many residents…

Cook County, coronavirus, Crime, elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

More Than 100 New COVID-19 Vaccination Locations Added

February 10, 2021February 10, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

More Than 100 New COVID-19 Vaccination Locations Added Meijer and Walmart now offering vaccines at a limited number of stores The number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination locations across Illinois continues to increase. Since February 4, 2021, 134 new locations have been added to the list of COVID-19 vaccination sites open to the public for…

Cook County, coronavirus, Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Seniors

Health groups questions longterm impact of COVID-19 vaccinations

February 10, 2021February 10, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Health groups questions longterm impact of COVID-19 vaccinations The American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) sent a letter this week to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asking for the CDC to quickly evaluate the vaccines’ effectiveness among the long term care population in both preventing…

coronavirus, Government, Health, News, Seniors

One of America’ oldest WWII veterans turns 102

February 10, 2021February 22, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

One of America’ oldest WWII veterans turns 102 One of America’s Oldest WWII Veterans, Sidney Walton, Turning 102, to be Honored in Miami Beach! Pit Crew to Update Sidney’s “National No Regrets Tour” Vehicle Wrap from “101” to “102.” Live! Starlite Hotel, 750 Ocean Dr, 8:00 am, Thurs, Feb 11. Invited guests include Mayor Dan Gelber of Miami Beach Sidney Walton, 101,…

Baby Boomers, Briefs, General Topics, News, Seniors, Veterans, Veterans Column

Wolves beat Rockford IceHogs with 3-0 winning streak

February 9, 2021February 9, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Wolves beat Rockford IceHogs with 3-0 winning streak Tomasino and Pitlick tally twice apiece Nineteen-year-old Phil Tomasino produced his first two professional goals to spark the Chicago Wolves to a 5-2 victory over the Rockford IceHogs Tuesday afternoon at Triphahn Center. Center Rem Pitlick also scored twice and rookie center Seth Jarvis delivered his third goal…

Chicago, Editors Pick, Features, General Topics, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Bond set for Bellwood Police Commander charged with possession of Child Pornography

February 8, 2021November 9, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bond set for Bellwood Police Commander charged with possession of Child Pornography DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, Lombard Chief of Police Roy Newton and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced today that bond has been set for a Bellwood Police Commander accused of possessing child pornography. John Trevarthen, 45 (d.o.b. 9/17/1975) of the 300…

Crime, DuPage, Government, NewsWire, Police

Chicago Wolves rally past Rockford IceHogs

February 8, 2021February 8, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Wolves rally past Rockford IceHogs Chicago breaks out to 2-0 start during AHL’s opening weekend Rookie center Seth Jarvis scored two goals set up by rookie Jamieson Rees as the Chicago Wolves erased an early deficit to claim a 5-4 road win over the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday afternoon. Center Rem Pitlick produced the…

Chicago, Features, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois Republicans select Don Tracy as new party chairman

February 6, 2021February 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Republicans select Don Tracy as new party chairman Springfield businessman and lawyer becomes the first downstate chairman since 1988 After lengthy interviews with the three finalists, spirited discussion, and a weighted vote amongst the ILGOP State Central Committee, Don Tracy of Springfield was chosen Saturday (Feb. 6, 2021) as the next chairman of the Illinois Republican Party…

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

Young Wolves seize opener with 3-1 win over Griffins

February 6, 2021February 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Young Wolves seize opener with 3-1 win over Griffins The Chicago Wolves opened their 27th season with a 3-1 American Hockey League victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday night at Triphahn Center. Forwards Tommy Novak and Seth Jarvis and defenseman Cavan Fitzgerald scored for the Wolves — the 19-year-old Jarvis tallying the game-winner…

breaking news, Chicago, Cook County, Entertainment, General Topics, News, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Fox River Arts Ramble set for Saturday June 5

February 4, 2021February 4, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fox River Arts Ramble set for Saturday June 5 The Fox River Arts Ramble has been scheduled for SATURDAY, JUNE 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is a collaborative effort of the Fine Line Creative Arts Center, the St. Charles Arts Council and Water Street Studios and was created in 2018 with…

Entertainment, NewsWire

Candidate throws his hat in ring for Tinley Park mayor’s race

February 4, 2021February 4, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Candidate throws his hat in ring for Tinley Park mayor’s race Kevin Suggs Announces Candidacy For Mayor of Tinley Park Kevin Suggs, a highly accomplished sales professional and University of Notre Dame graduate, announced his candidacy for mayor of the Village of Tinley Park on January 11, 2021. Suggs, a 23-year resident of the village,…

elections, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Newman urges removal of Marjorie Taylor Greene

February 3, 2021February 3, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Newman urges removal of Marjorie Taylor Greene Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is one of the leading voices amongst the far-right GOP officials responsible for aiding President Trump’s betrayal of our democracy and inciting the insurrectionist attack on January 6th. She has repeatedly used social media to support calls to execute Democratic officials and promote…

NewsWire, Politics