Category: Commentary

Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor

September 7, 2025September 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor As you know, I have never been a big fan of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, or, for that matter, many of the most recent governors we have had, including Bruce Rauner, Pat Quinn, or “Mr. Celebrity” Governor, Rod Blagojevich. (Previously published on Ray…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill

September 5, 2025September 5, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill By Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Twice each year, my office mails out about 1.8 million tax bills to Cook County property owners. Most people glance only at the amount due—but your bill is much more than a dollar figure. It’s a detailed breakdown of how your…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, NewsWire, Opinion, Taxes

Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays

August 27, 2025August 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays By Jeffery M. Leving Despite Hollywood images of happy families sitting around a large table for holiday meals, the reality is that about 50% of couples end up divorced. So, while I am not trying to be a holiday Grinch, I am pointing out the…

Blogger, Commentary, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language

August 8, 2025August 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language By Maria Pappas Understanding Cook County’s property tax system can be a challenge even for people born and raised here. Words like “assessments,” “exemptions,” and “multipliers” aren’t part of everyday conversation. For many homeowners, deciphering a tax bill feels like solving a puzzle. Now…

Blogger, Commentary, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny

July 25, 2025July 26, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny By Maria Pappas Cook County Treasurer Two times a year, my office mails nearly 1.8 million property tax bills and collects over $18 billion. That’s not a typo — $18 billion. As Cook County Treasurer, I oversee the second-largest property tax collection and distribution system…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Video Podcast on Trump’s problems with Jeffrey Epstein, Netanyahu’s coalition in jeopardy

July 19, 2025July 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Video Podcast on Trump’s problems with Jeffrey Epstein, Netanyahu’s coalition in jeopardy In the Video podcast, political columnist Ray Hanania and former Congressman Bill Lipinski discuss the Jeffrey Epstein controversy and its impact on President Trump; open rebellion among some MAGA Republicans including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene over foreign aid and Epstein, the issue of…

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Civil Rights, Commentary, elections, National, News, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Republican, Taxes

Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN

July 12, 2025July 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN By Maria Pappas If you own property in Cook County, there’s one number you should always know: your PIN. That’s short for Property Index Number—a 14-digit code assigned to every piece of real estate in the county. It’s tied to the legal description…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Chicago parents and other community leaders must work together to make sure this summer isn’t deadly for our children

July 3, 2025July 3, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago parents and other community leaders must work together to make sure this summer isn’t deadly for our children By Jeffery M. Leving While many divorced and separated parents live with the worry that a school shooting can happen anywhere, anytime, parents in Chicago tend to worry the most when school is out for the…

Blogger, Commentary, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

How Technology Changed the Cook County Treasurer’s Office

June 27, 2025June 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

How Technology Changed the Cook County Treasurer’s Office By Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer When I became Cook County Treasurer in 1998, I walked into an office stuck in the past. Boxes containing $30,000,000 of uncashed checks lined the floor, collecting dust rather than earning interest. Just four working computers and six typewriters served a…

Blogger, Commentary, Maria Pappas, Opinion

Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection

June 13, 2025June 13, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection By Arthur S. Kallow Father’s Day is a time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the men who have shaped our lives in ways both big and small. As an attorney, and advocate for fathers’ rights, I am especially reminded every year on Father’s Day of the profound importance of…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Blogger, Commentary, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners

June 13, 2025June 13, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Navigating the complexities of the property tax system in Cook County can be daunting for homeowners. My hope is this column makes it less intimidating by breaking down a complex process into simple concepts….

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Two Guys on Politics Podcast on Elon Musk, Trump’s Parade, LA Riots, and Middle East ban

June 12, 2025June 12, 2025 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Two Guys on Politics Podcast on Elon Musk, Trump’s Parade, LA Riots, and Middle East ban 06-12-25 S4E13 Two Guys on Politics now broadcast on Detroit Radio on the US Arab Radio Network on WNZK AM 690 radio, as well as on YouTube at TwoGuysonPolitics.com with hosts Bill Lipinski and Ray Hanania discussing Elon Musk,…

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Civil Rights, Commentary, Law, National, News, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, Radio, Videos

Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day

June 12, 2025June 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day By Jeffery M. Leving This Father’s Day I’d like to pay tribute to a certain segment of fathers that is often overlooked — single and divorced fathers who are raising their children. We often hear about single and divorced mothers who raise their children and while…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Government, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Opinion

Podcast: Musk vs Trump and the impact of media distortion on news

June 11, 2025June 11, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Podcast: Musk vs Trump and the impact of media distortion on news Veteran political journalists and media analysts Thom Serafin and Ray Hanania discuss a wide range of issues on The Crisis Cast podcast including the rift between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump, the transformation of newsmedia news reporting from objectivity to “perspective news,”…

Commentary, Media Bias, National, News, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, Racism, rayhanania

Opinion: Edgar County Watchdogs continue to exaggerate and lie for political union pals

June 8, 2025June 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Opinion: Edgar County Watchdogs continue to exaggerate and lie for political union pals The so-called “newspaper” the “Edgar County Watchdogs” (Illinois Leaks) continue to publish misleading and distorted information pimping for their political pals and cronies to attack anyone they disagree with. The website can’t get its facts right, and it twists and distorts FOIA…

Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, Orland Fire Protection District, Politics

Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez blindly defends Israel at expense of truth

June 3, 2025June 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez blindly defends Israel at expense of truth Once a champion of the victims of racism, defending Arab American and Muslim store owners against the discriminatory policies of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Chicago Ald. Raymond Lopez has since flipped, replacing morality with political exploitation, blindly defending Israel’s government violence in Gaza to…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas

May 31, 2025May 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas The levy: It’s not a dam, but it is a word you should know! By Maria Pappas Since I first stepped into my office 27 years ago, one question has repeatedly come up: “Why do my property taxes always go up?” It’s a valid concern. At…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners

May 16, 2025May 16, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

The $2 Billion Wealth Transfer: How Cook County’s Property Tax Appeals System Rewards Businesses at the Expense of Homeowners By Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas After analyzing over 2 million Cook County property tax appeals filed between 2021 and 2023, researchers in my office uncovered a troubling trend: the system shifted nearly $2 billion in…

Blogger, Commentary, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes