Category: Chicago

Pappas: $94 million in property tax refunds available on new website

March 22, 2018March 22, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas: $94 million in property tax refunds available on new website Cook County property owners can recover $94.1 million in tax overpayments by going to cookcountytreasurer.com, Treasurer Maria Pappas said today. The money is unclaimed even though since 2009 nearly $544 million in overpayments has been refunded or prevented by the Treasurer’s Office. Because refund…

Chicago, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Chicago announces 2018 Millennium Park summer season events

March 22, 2018March 22, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago announces 2018 Millennium Park summer season events Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) are pleased to announce the dates for Millennium Park’s 2018 summer season which runs from May through September. Millennium Park will offer traditional favorites like the Chicago House Music Festival, Chicago Gospel Music…

Chicago, Events, Festival, News, restaurants

Democratic Machine revives in election as big names are pushed under

March 20, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Democratic Machine revives in election as big names are pushed under J.B. Pritzker defeats Kennedy who runs 3rd behind Daniel Biss for Governor. Kwame Raoul holds a lead over former Governor Pat Quinn for Illinois Attorney General. Congressman Dan Lipinski holds a tight lead over liberal challenger Marie Newman. Fritz Kaegi unseats Joe Berrios as…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Rally for Gutierrez for opposing Israeli detentions of children, Chicago, IL

March 7, 2018March 7, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rally for Gutierrez for opposing Israeli detentions of children, Chicago, IL Congressman Luis Gutierrez will be honored by leaders and activists on Monday March 12, 2018 for his leadership in calling on Israel to end its policies of imprisoning and detaining children. Gutierrez, who has represented the Illinois 4th Congressional District since January 1993, has…

Chicago, Editors Pick, National, News, Politics, Racism

Fake car-jacking with child report made to get faster police response

March 4, 2018March 4, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fake car-jacking with child report made to get faster police response Vehicle owner and friend charged in false car-jacking report Saturday (Car-Jacking suspect, Chicago, Mugshots: Male: Jeremy L. Ingram, DOB Nov 19, 1992, and female: Zada Williams DOB Jan. 1, 1997) Two Chicago residents were charged Sunday with making false car-jacking and child abduction claims…

breaking news, Chicago, Crime, News, Suburban Chicagoland

House Democrats Pass Sweeping Gun Safety Measures, Answering Nationwide Call from Student Activists

March 1, 2018March 1, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

House Democrats pass sweeping Gun Safety Measures, answering nationwide call from student activists Responding to a nationwide call from students and parents for immediate action on gun safety in the wake of another tragic mass shooting, Illinois House Democrats passed critical legislation reducing access to assault rifles, banning the sale of ‘bump stock’ modifications, and…

breaking news, Chicago, Government, National, News, Police, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Remembering Chicago’s racial tensions from the late 1960s

February 25, 2018November 29, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Remembering Chicago’s racial tensions from the late 1960s Looking back at Chicago in the 1960s and the racial tensions that divided Blacks and Whites, I decided to write a book about that experience. White Flight, which I titled “Midnight Flight: One family’s experience of White Flight and the racial transformation of Chicago’s South Side (an online…

Blogger, Books & Films, Chicago, Commentary, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Love Never Dies continues Phantom of the Opera tale

February 24, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Love Never Dies continues Phantom of the Opera tale The sequel to the phenomenal play The Phantom of the Opera, called appropriately, Love Never Dies, continues the thrilling tale of love on stage at the start of the 20th Century. Playing at the Cadillac Palace Theater in Chicago’s Loop, it’s well worth the time and…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Editors Pick, Entertainment, Features, Opinion, rayhanania, Theater

Arab American empowerment continues to grow

February 23, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Arab American empowerment continues to grow Arab Americans have been fighting for a place at the American table from the day they set foot in America. But in recent years, their empowerment has increased despite the increased discrimination in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In recently years, Arab Americans have…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Remembering Billy Graham and Christian Arabs

February 21, 2018December 25, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Remembering Billy Graham and Christian Arabs The Rev. William “Billy” Franklin Graham Jr. died this week at the age of 99. During his life, Graham once held the Palestinian Christians of Bethlehem in the highest esteem. And when my mother passed through one of his evangelical conventions one day, Graham held her hand high up…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Editors Pick, Opinion, Racism, rayhanania, Religion

Where had the Willis Tower Globe gone?

February 14, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Where had the Willis Tower Globe gone? Christopher Glass & Aluminum, Inc. – Elmhurst, IL. is the new home of the iconic Willis Tower Globe. Company relocates to west Suburbs with the iconic globe sculpture. Acclaimed Chicagoland full-service glass, glazing, aluminum, architectural metals, custom steel and service company, Christopher Glass & Aluminum, Inc. (CGA), is…

Business, Chicago, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Lisa Hernandez fundraiser March 7

February 14, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lisa Hernandez fundraiser March 7 I’m locked in the primary battle of my political career. My opponent is spreading lies like a running faucet. Years of hard work for our community is under threat of being wiped out for good. We must take a stand and speak up for the residents of the 24th District….

Chicago, elections, Events, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Madigan dismisses aide accused of sexual harassment

February 12, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan dismisses aide accused of sexual harassment By Ray Hanania [UPDATED Tuesday Feb. 13, 2018] Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan announced the dismissal of a longtime aide after charges he “made unwanted advances” and sent a woman “inappropriate text messages.” Madigan praised the woman for speaking out and instructed his attorney to “conduct a…

Chicago, Government, News, Politics

Chicagoland communities prepare for snow storm impact

February 8, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicagoland communities prepare for snow storm impact The National Weather Service has issued a major storm alert for the Chicagoland area and suburbs. Schools, governments and many public agencies are closing, urging residents to be cautious while driving, to do welfare checks on neighbors who are disabled or seniors, and identifying warming centers in the…

breaking news, Chicago, Government, National, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Village of Lyons, Weather

Less booze at SoxFest 2018 than at CubsFest

January 31, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Less booze at SoxFest 2018 than at CubsFest We skipped the CubsFest this year because the Cubs went from Lovable Losers to difficult to speak with World Series ego maniacs. I hope they keep winning, cuz maybe they’ll start to get back to their lovable selves one day. In the meantime, we decided to go…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Events, Opinion, rayhanania, Sports

War heats up between Lipinski and challenger Newman

January 17, 2018November 30, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

War heats up between Lipinski and challenger Newman Congressman Dan Lipinski is facing a stiff challenge from popular newcomer Marie Newman in the March 20, 2018 Democratic primary for the 3rd Congressional District. Both candidates released lists of endorsements on Wednesday with Lipinski receiving support from 30 mayors in the district and Newman receiving the…

Chicago, elections, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Arab American Democratic Club urges Pritzker to apologize

December 13, 2017August 23, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab American Democratic Club urges Pritzker to apologize Arab Americans in Illinois called on gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker Wednesday to publicly apologize for insensitive comments he made in which he accused a Muslim American group of being “terrorists” when he ran for Congress in 1998. Arab American Democratic Club President Samir Khalil said the comment…

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

Video: Adventures in remembering Harold Washington

November 25, 2017September 8, 2024 Aaron Hanania No Comments

Video: Adventures in remembering Harold Washington I traveled with my dad this week to a meeting of former Chicago City Hall reporters at Italian Village to mark the 30th anniversary of the passing of Chicago Mayor Harold Washington. Afterwards, we went to WGN AM 720 radio to join “The Download” radio host Justin Kaufmann for…

Aaron Hanania, Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, Radio, Videos