Category: Commentary

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 pals

June 8, 2025December 11, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Opinion: Edgar County Watchdogs continue to exaggerate and lie for political 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 information…

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

Congresswoman Robin Kelly clear leader in race to succeed Senator Dick Durbin

May 6, 2025May 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Congresswoman Robin Kelly clear leader in race to succeed Senator Dick Durbin Congresswoman Robin Kelly announces her candidacy to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Kelly has one of the strongest public service records, introducing legislation to support not only her constituents in the 2nd Congressional District, but is viewed as a more popular candidate…

Blogger, Civil Rights, Commentary, elections, News, Opinion, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many

May 2, 2025May 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many There are two types of referendums — binding and advisory. The government is legally required to act on binding referendum results. Advisory referendums aren’t legally binding and are often used to measure public opinion before making a governmental decision. That…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Opinion, Taxes

Illinois has many better options than Pritzker’s choice to succeed Durbin

April 27, 2025April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois has many better options than Pritzker’s choice to succeed Durbin By Ray Hanania Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who believes he can buy any election, any time for any amount of money, wants to buy the seat of retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Pritzker has pushed his Lieutenant Governor, Juliana Stratton, to run for the…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Senator Michael Hastings, Taxes

72 years around the sun, an experience that continues to grow

April 19, 2025April 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

72 years around the sun, an experience that continues to grow Journalist and columnist Ray Hanania looks back at 72 years and the ups and downs of life from school to journalism, politics, cancer, legionnaires’ disease, standup comedy, and music By Ray Hanania 72 years around the sun today .., thank you everyone for the…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, General Topics, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago

April 18, 2025April 18, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago By Maria Pappas My office is managing about $122 million in potential refunds for property tax overpayments going back 20 years that I’m eager to send back to property owners. But determining who’s entitled to a refund isn’t simple. Most overpayments…

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

Men can be Victims of Domestic Abuse Too

April 6, 2025April 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Men can be Victims of Domestic Abuse Too By Jeffery M. Leving and Arthur S. Kallow The conviction of a former ballerina who had been charged with second-degree murder and convicted by a jury of manslaughter in the shooting death of her estranged husband in Florida has generated a lot of interest, playing out like a typical…

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

Why We Pay Property Taxes In Arrears?

April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Why We Pay Property Taxes In Arrears? Column: Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas One of the most common questions I get in my office, is, “Why do we collect taxes for the previous year?” Here’s the backstory. Cook County’s property tax system has changed dramatically since The Treasurer’s…

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

Leving Team saved Dad’s Son from living with Reported Predator – Registered Sex Offender!

March 28, 2025March 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team saved Dad’s Son from living with Reported Predator – Registered Sex Offender! By Laura Reichel A desperate Dad called attorney Jeffery Leving for help after discovering his ex planned to take their son away from him to live with her and her new boyfriend, who was a registered sex offender! The Leving legal…

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

Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities

March 23, 2025March 23, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities State lawmakers have made it easier for people with disabilities to continue receiving annual property tax relief. By Maria Pappas Cook County homeowners who receive the Persons with Disabilities Exemption no longer must reapply for the benefit every year. Lawmakers acted to allow…

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

After fleeing SiriusXM, I was shocked by the hate on AM Radio in Chicago

March 20, 2025March 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

After fleeing SiriusXM, I was shocked by the hate on AM Radio in Chicago I was pushed into subscribing to SiriusXM when I purchased my car. But after many years, I realized I was wasting my money listening to only one or two stations and never getting enough info. Most of it is Islamophobic hate…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, journalism, National, Opinion, Politics, Racism, Radio