Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
The verdict on Jury Duty in Cook County I received my summons to appear at Jury Duty. I didn’t want to use any excuses having been a reporter covering the court system, being a political columnist who writes about court cases, having been in several legal cases as a defendant and plaintiff in political cases in…
Pretend interview with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel I’ve covered six Chicago Mayors since 1976 including Mayors Richard J. Daley, Michael A. Bilandic, Jane M. Byrne, Harold Washington, Eugene Sawyer and Richard M. Daley. But I have yet to get Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to allow me to interview him, despite numerous requests. What’s the excuse…
Read More “Pretend interview with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel” »
Cicero hosts Day of Prayer to fight street gangs This is the 7th year of what has become an annual summer tradition for this “Day of Prayer in Cicero” which has helped bring the community together and succeed in overcoming the violence of street gangs. Local church leaders and community members joined with the Town…
Read More “Cicero hosts day of prayer to fight street gangs” »
Orland Park High school junior publishes SciFi novel Orland Park High school junior Aaron Hanania published his first SciFi novel this month, a tale involving a science experiment that has gone wrong. Hanania, 17, said he was inspired to write the book because of his love for writing. A straight A honor student for almost…
Read More “Orland Park High school junior publishes SciFi novel” »
Video Interview: Aaron Hanania talks about his new book Videographer Steve Neuhaus interviews first-time author Aaron Hanania, 17, discusses his new book “The King’s Pawn”, why he wrote it, what it is about, and some of the key aspects of the characters in the book. Soon to be a high school senior. He urges other…
Read More “Video Interview: Aaron Hanania talks about his new book” »
Rock ’n’ roll restaurant backed by KISS stars coming to Oak Lawn Two new restaurants, including one affiliated with KISS stars Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, will highlight the beginning of phase two of the Stony Creek Promenade development in Oak Lawn. Rock & Brews is a California-based restaurant chain born out of a post-concert…
Read More “Rock ’n’ roll restaurant backed by KISS stars coming to Oak Lawn” »
Cicero Citizenship program helps 270 immigrants become citizens Arcadio Delgado, The Town of Cicero Director of Citizenship, introduced some of the more than 270 immigrants who became citizens of the United States this year as a result of the Citizenship Committee’s work, guidance and education programs during the regular meeting of the Town of Cicero…
Read More “Cicero Citizenship program helps 270 immigrants become citizens” »
Cheap Trick, Poison shine “Nothin’ But A Good Time” tour is just that By Steve Metsch After an entertaining nine-song set by Pop Evil, a fan wearing a “Hall & Oates 2018” T-shirt asked me – maybe it was my Cheap Trick T-shirt? – why the band from Rockford would open for Poison. The pairing,…
Rauner needs to block water rate increase bill The Illinois House and the Illinois Senate approved a new law, HB 4508, that would allow two major water companies to massively increase water rates on its customers to help them buy up smaller water companies so they can grow and profit. The sponsors used the confusing…
Read More “Rauner needs to block water rate increase bill” »
Andrew HS Tweets salute to 3 former student veterans Victor J. Andrew High school in Tinley Park Tweeted out the following honor to recognize the military service and sacrifice of its former students. Click here to view. The salute to three former Andrew High school graduates is timed to salute the service and sacrifice of…
Read More “Andrew HS Tweets salute to 3 former student veterans” »
Teenager uses iPhone 6 to write his first novel A 16 year old teenager from Chicago’s Southwest suburbs has published his first novel, “TheKing’s Pawn.” And Aaron Hanania explains he wrote the book only using his iPhone 6. Here’s the plot: A scientist creates a revolutionary experiment, The King’s Pawn, in which the participants are…
Read More “Teenager uses iPhone 6 to write his first novel” »
Bridgeview Stadium is an investment in our future Toyota Park changes its name to SeatGeek Stadium, remaining one of the Southwest Side and suburbs most valuable economic assets next to Midway Airport in driving up home, jobs and economic wellbeing in the Southwest Region By Ray Hanania For many years, the Southwest Side and suburbs…
Read More “Bridgeview Stadium is an investment in our future” »
Judge Betar win’s nomination to serve on 13th Judicial District Associate Judge Sam Betar III won the backing of voters on March 20, 2018 to represent the Democratic Party as their candidate for the 13th Judicial District in Cook County in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Judge Betar, one of the first Arab Americans…
Read More “Judge Betar win’s nomination to serve on 13th Judicial District” »
Why conspiracy theories are necessary Youtube has launched a campaign to delete and ban videos that promote “conspiracy theories” that trend against mainstream acceptance and news media coverage. But is that a wise thing to allow? Conspiracy theories keep the American public aware of instances when conspiracy theories are actually a reality By Ray Hanania…
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…
Read More “Rally for Gutierrez for opposing Israeli detentions of children, Chicago, IL” »
Should have dropped Acid before watching Annihilation Movie review: The movie theater was packed with people for the premiere of Annihilation, the Science Fiction story about an alien life form that slams into Earth and expands into what scientists call a “shimmer”. The movie not only had some great stars like Natalie Portman and Jennifer…
Read More “I should have dropped Acid before watching Annihilation” »
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…
Read More “Love Never Dies continues Phantom of the Opera tale” »
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…