Category: Commentary

Illinois program lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 per year in property taxes

January 21, 2024January 21, 2024 Ray Hanania 3 Comments

Illinois program lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 per year in property taxes Your Property Taxes column with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Illinois offers senior citizens a property tax relief program that works like a loan. The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral program allows qualifying seniors to defer up…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Require that future presidents serve in the U.S. Military

January 21, 2024January 21, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Require that future presidents serve in the U.S. Military Anyone who wants to run for President of the United States, and Vice President, should be required to have served in active duty American military service. Right now we have a bunch of draft dodgers who pander to military service who are telling us how to…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, National, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

It can be embarrassing to be an American, sometimes

January 20, 2024January 20, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

It can be embarrassing to be an American, sometimes With poor leadership across the board, polarization across this country, and a hypocrisy when it comes to principles of the rule of law, and fairness, America is stumbling. And it is embarrassing to see this happen. We need to do something about this growing problem by…

Blogger, Commentary, National, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

I was raised by TV moms and dads in the 50s

January 2, 2024January 2, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

I was raised by TV moms and dads in the 50s Television in the 1950s and 1960s was far more positive in helping families to raise their children in a moral and respectful manner. But as society’s parental structure deteriorates television has deteriorated with it and probably today contributes to the growing turmoil plaguing our…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Humor, Opinion, rayhanania

Right from the Middle: Both candidates for President are lacking

December 27, 2023February 4, 2024 William Lipinski No Comments

Right from the Middle: Both candidates for President are lacking By Bill Lipinski How did our Land of Liberty and Fortress of Free, the most generous, most helpful nation on earth. America is the greatest spreader and defender of freedom and democracy in the history of this world. The economic and military power houses of…

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Commentary, elections, National, Opinion, Politics

“Migrant crisis” is political spin that disguises “homeless”

December 27, 2023December 27, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

“Migrant crisis” is political spin that disguises “homeless” America’s immigration system is not only messed up, but the language we use to discuss it is also inaccurate and misleading. The word “migrant” is a political term that really means “homeless,” and homeless people should never be dropped off on a street corner, especially in the…

Civil Rights, Commentary, immigrant, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Slashed interest rate on late property tax payments could prevent home loss

December 16, 2023December 16, 2023 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Slashed interest rate on late property tax payments could prevent home loss By Maria Pappas As my office prepares for the Annual Tax Sale, we’re doing all we can to help people avoid losing their homes because of unpaid property taxes. One of the biggest legislative reforms to the Illinois property tax system in decades…

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

Robert F. Kennedy calls to release all JFK files, making him great choice for president

December 16, 2023December 16, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Robert F. Kennedy calls to release all JFK files, making him great choice for president American voters don’t have a great choice for president next year, so what can they do? Focus on an issue you support instead of on the faltering personalities. The other issue to consider is, who does the biased and racist…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, elections, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors

New tool shows where property tax dollars go and informs fed up taxpayers

December 3, 2023December 3, 2023 Guest Columnist 1 Comment

New tool shows where property tax dollars go and informs fed up taxpayers By Maria Pappas When I saw how recent property tax bills shocked and angered many Cook County homeowners I knew people needed to understand why their taxes are so high. I began hearing from frustrated homeowners before tax bills landed in early…

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

Is Thanksgiving and Christmas about celebration, or just about the money?

December 1, 2023December 1, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Is Thanksgiving and Christmas about celebration, or just about the money? Thanksgiving and Christmas have been forcibly morphed from family holidays into commercial focused profit generation and greed. It’s no longer about families, enjoyment or religion but rather about spending money. By Ray Hanania When I was growing up, a phrase I am sure younger…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Culture, Features, Opinion, rayhanania, Seniors

Vote against any member of Congress who doesn’t support this Social Security protection bill

November 17, 2023November 21, 2023 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Vote against any member of Congress who doesn’t support this Social Security protection bill By Ray Hanania US Rep. Thomas Massie (Republican Kentucky) continues to reintroduce a bill that would prevent the double taxation of Social Security payments to seniors and retirees, but not enough members of Congress will support it. In fact, opposition to…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Opinion, Seniors, Taxes

Unveiling Wonder: Andi Gladwin’s “SHUFFLED” Delivers an Unforgettable Night of Magic at The Rhapsody Theater in Chicago

November 13, 2023November 13, 2023 Aaron Hanania No Comments

Unveiling Wonder: Andi Gladwin’s “SHUFFLED” delivers an unforgettable night of magic at The Rhapsody Theater in Chicago Andi Gladwin’s new intimate magic show unveils a mesmerizing fusion of storytelling, technology, and your very own deck of cards! An electrifying evening of magic awaits you for this brand-new show, developed exclusively for performances at The Rhapsody Theater….

Aaron Hanania, Blogger, Comedy, Commentary, Entertainment, Features, News, Opinion, Review, Theater

What can America do with $14.3 billion?

November 6, 2023November 7, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

What can America do with $14.3 billion? By Ray Hanania In 2022, the Social Security Trust Fund had a $22 billion deficit, which shows you how little Congress cares about Seniors compared to how they care about some foreign countries. When the deficit was announced, no Republican or Democrat members of Congress rushed to resolve…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Employment, Health, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Seniors, Taxes, Veterans, Veterans Column

Gun control debate and failure to impose severe punishments on criminals fueling American violence

November 4, 2023November 9, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Gun control debate and failure to impose severe punishments on criminals fueling American violence By Ray Hanania There are three kinds of major gun-related violent crimes. One involves individuals who commit suicide. They accounted for more than half of the 35,000 fatalities in America so far in 2023. Another is domestic violence involving individuals who…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, Culture, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

The Maine massacre & gun control, & the election of Rep. Johnson as House Speaker

October 29, 2023October 29, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Maine massacre & gun control, & the election of Rep. Johnson as House Speaker Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and columnist Ray Hanania discuss the massacre of 18 people by a gunman in Maine this past week and the politicization of “gun control” and the failure to impose harsh penalties for killers of all sorts….

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Commentary, Crime, Government, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Issues and controversies that I just can’t seem to ignore

October 28, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Issues and controversies that I just can’t seem to ignore Award winning columnist Ray Hanania writes about migrants and illegal aliens, the failed policies of President Biden, handicapped parking violators, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau one of the region’s worst elected officials next only to Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, and the killing of civilians…

Blogger, Commentary, immigrant, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Qualifying disabled veterans are fully exempt from paying property taxes

October 28, 2023October 28, 2023 News Editor No Comments

Qualifying disabled veterans are fully exempt from paying property taxes By Maria Pappas Veterans deserve our thanks, especially those whose abilities were diminished as a result of active military service. Illinois law recognizes that. Qualifying veterans whose disabilities are certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for tax breaks. Veterans classified as…

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

Grasso responds to Pekau’s pathological lies and abuse of his village office

October 20, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Grasso responds to Pekau’s pathological lies and abuse of his village office Real Republican Gary Grasso responds to Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau’s vicious political lies and mischaracterizations. Pekau made his political attacks in his taxpayer funded position as Mayor of Orland Park, something Pekau does quite often. By Ray Hanania Orland Park Mayor Keith…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland