Category: Culture

Author Charlene Wexler Earns International Impact Book Award for We Won’t Go Back

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Author Charlene Wexler Earns International Impact Book Award for We Won’t Go Back Author Charlene Wexler recently won a 2025 International Impact Book Award in the Contemporary Fiction category for her book We Won’t Go Back, published by Speaking Volumes. We Won’t Go Back is the story of Babs, who lived a pleasant life…

Books & Films, Chicago, Culture, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Transition Team Launches Resume Portal for New Administration

November 6, 2025November 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Transition Team Launches Resume Portal for New Administration Mamdani’s transition opens application process to receive applicants interested in serving in the Mamdani Administration Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team launched on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 the Transition 2025 resume portal for applicants of all experience levels to help build an administration of public…

Civil Rights, Culture, elections, Government, News, Politics

Commissioner Frank Aguilar and Cook County officials celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month

October 16, 2025October 16, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Commissioner Frank Aguilar and Cook County officials celebrate Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month Officials, accompanied by musical guests, honored notable Hispanic and Latine residents for their contributions to Cook County, and honored three individuals with awards (Cook County, IL) – On Wednesday, October 15th, Cook County Commissioners and the Office of Cook County Board President…

Chicago, Cook County, Culture, Events, Features, Festival, Government, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago

October 8, 2025October 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and the Alliance of Polish Clubs USA will host a special event honoring Polish American Heritage Month by unveiling the first-ever U.S. showing of the “Different Faces of Solidarity” photography exhibit by…

Cook County, Culture, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire

Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair

October 8, 2025October 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair Residents from throughout the 16th District attended the fair which provided health and family services On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office….

Cook County, Culture, Events, News

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders

October 6, 2025October 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Indian Consul General Somnath Ghosh will host a Diwali celebration to honor Indian American community leaders, activists, and entrepreneurs for their outstanding contributions to the cultural, civic, and economic life of Cook County. The event will…

Cook County, Culture, Festival, Maria Pappas, News, Religion

Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE

September 20, 2025September 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and political columnist Ray Hanania discuss the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s firing, the murder of Charlie Kirk, the backlash on free speech and increased censorship, Woke vs New Woke, the Great American Divide, how to…

Bill Lipinski, censorship, Civil Rights, Commentary, Culture, Entertainment, Government, immigrant, journalism, News, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, Racism

Nick Uniejewski challenges anti-Arab Illinois State Senator Sarah Feigenholtz

September 11, 2025September 11, 2025 News Editor No Comments

Nick Uniejewski challenges anti-Arab Illinois State Senator Sarah Feigenholtz Former congressional aide challenges Illinois State Senator infamous for her anti-Arab and anti-Muslim political rhetoric, Sara Feigenholtz in 6th Illinois Senate District. Click these links to view Feigenholt’s racist conduct. Feigenholtz Islamophobic Social Media Posts … Arabs and Muslims call for Feigenholtz to resign It’s Nick…

Culture, elections, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Racism

Pritzker, Welch and regional leaders praise John Harrell and Black Men United for affordable housing project

August 30, 2025August 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker, Welch and regional leaders praise John Harrell and Black Men United for affordable housing project Gov. J.B. Pritzker, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch,” and legislative leaders and local mayors praised a projected to convert a building to low-income housing in Maywood by Rev. John Harrell and Black Men United. CLICK HERE to view a…

Civil Rights, Cook County, Culture, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Tastes and culture from 6 continents featured at SeatGeek Stadium World Fair US July 7 – 28

July 2, 2025July 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tastes and culture from 6 continents featured at SeatGeek Stadium World Fair US July 7 – 28 Organizers of the World Fair US at SeatGeek Stadium this month said they are hoping to recreate the successes they experienced at the 2020 World’s Fair hosted in Dubai. The World Fair US opens in Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium,…

Bridgeview, Chicago, Culture, Entertainment, immigrant, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Roseland Ceasefire Holds First Fundraiser to Kickoff National Anti-Violence Prevention Month

June 2, 2025June 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Roseland Ceasefire Holds First Fundraiser to Kickoff National Anti-Violence Prevention Month Even though this weekend saw the murder of one person and 15 others wounded, gun violence is down overall. Just last week, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was touting the good news this year’s Memorial Day weekend saw in gun violence reduction. According to Chicago…

Chicago, Crime, Culture, News, Police, Racism

President Obama Visits Future Obama Presidential Center Chef, Cliff Rome, at His Restaurant Ahead of Opening in 2026

May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

President Obama Visits Future Obama Presidential Center Chef, Cliff Rome, at His Restaurant Ahead of Opening in 2026 President Obama visited Chicago for the past couple of days to discuss planning and details for the Obama Presidential Center, ranging from the dining experience to testing various museum exhibits to touring the museum site. As part…

construction, Culture, Federal, National, News, NewsWire, Politics

Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues

May 10, 2025May 10, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues We Won’t Go Back, the latest novel from award-winning author Charlene Wexler, has been published by Speaking Volumes. We Won’t Go Back, the second book of Wexler’s Farewell to South Shore series, is the story of Babs, who lived a pleasant life in a northern suburb…

Books & Films, Chicago, Culture, Entertainment, News, NewsWire

Olivia and Liam Remain Most Popular Baby Names for 2024

May 9, 2025May 9, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Olivia and Liam Remain Most Popular Baby Names for 2024 Olivia and Liam are once again America’s most popular baby names of the year. 2024 marks the sixth consecutive year that families chose to stick with both familiar names. Also, for the sixth consecutive year, Emma took the second slot for girls, and Noah for…

Baby Boomers, Culture, News, NewsWire, women

Illinois officials offer best wishes to Muslim community at end of Ramadan

March 30, 2025March 30, 2025 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Illinois officials offer best wishes to Muslim community at end of Ramadan By Ray Hanania Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, and several officials including from Cook County, the State of Illinois and from officials of the Orland Fire Protection District offered their best wishes to the Muslim American community as they prepared…

Culture, Editors Pick, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Fire to host annual “Shamrocks & Shenanigans” Senior Luncheon on March 14

February 10, 2025February 13, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire to host annual “Shamrocks & Shenanigans” Senior Luncheon on March 14 Tickets for the Orland Fire Protection District’s popular Senior Citizen “Shamrocks & Shenanigans” luncheon go on sale beginning Monday, Feb 17, 2025, at the OFPD Administration building, 9790 W. 151st Street. The event will be held on March 14. It sells out…

Baby Boomers, Crime, Culture, Events, Festival, Fire, Government, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, Seniors

An Arab, Middle East recipe for Stuffed Grape Leaves

December 29, 2024December 29, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

An Arab, Middle East recipe for Stuffed Grape Leaves #Read @RayHanania I love #MiddleEastern #Arab food recipes in addition to politics. Here’s my how to make Stuffed #GrapeLeaves with diced #lamb #steak #wariqDuwali #OxTail and #rice Read Ray Hanania’s columns on politics, life in general and his love for Middle East and Arab food. In…

Culture, Features, food, News, rayhanania, restaurants, Suburban Chicagoland

County Treasurer Pappas can help you understand your property taxes in virtually any language

December 6, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

County Treasurer Pappas can help you understand your property taxes in virtually any language By Maria Pappas The property tax system can confound lifelong Cook County residents. Assessments, appeals, exemptions and other parts of the process can be difficult to understand. Now imagine you immigrated from a place that didn’t have property taxes. Many countries…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Culture, Festival, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes