Category: Education

Ted Dabrowski cuts through the BS and takes on the biggest drain on property taxes

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ted Dabrowski cuts through the BS and takes on the biggest drain on property taxes By Ray Hanania Ted Dabrowski is one of four candidates running for the Republican nomination for Illinois Governor in the March 17 Republican primary election. But he is the only one who is speaking to the real challenges of fast-rising…

Business, Cook County, Education, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Hastings champions school safety with mobile panic alert bill

February 6, 2026February 6, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings champions school safety with mobile panic alert bill SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is spearheading legislation aimed at improving emergency response in Illinois schools using mobile panic alert systems. The bill seeks to provide schools with modern tools to quickly alert first responders in the event of a crisis. “Every second matters…

Education, Fire, Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, safety, Suburban Chicagoland

Hastings meets with Matteson School District 162 leaders to strengthen school safety measures

September 19, 2025September 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings meets with Matteson School District 162 leaders to strengthen school safety measures State Senator Michael E. Hastings visited Matteson School District 162 last week to meet with Superintendent Dr. Blondean Davis and district leaders to discuss security measures, rapid response plans and other protocols designed to keep students safe. The meeting focused on how…

Education, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Hastings brings in over $7.2 million in additional funding for local schools through evidence-based funding formula

August 7, 2025August 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings brings in over $7.2 million in additional funding for local schools through evidence-based funding formula State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced today that local schools in the South Suburbs will receive more than $7.2 million in new evidence-based funding as part of the continued implementation of the landmark education funding reform he supported in…

Education, Frankfort, Michael Hastings, News, Senator Michael Hastings

Orland Fire Protection District hosts Open House June 28

June 6, 2025July 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire Protection District hosts Open House June 28 The Orland Fire Protection District will host its annual Open House on Saturday, June 28, beginning at 11 am at the Fire District Training Center, 10728 W 163rd St, Orland Park. The event features live demonstrations of situations firefighters often face, from fighting fires to rescues…

Education, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park

Level Up your Reading Game with the Oak Lawn Public Library

June 6, 2025June 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Level Up your Reading Game with the Oak Lawn Public Library The Oak Lawn Public Library began its youth and adult summer reading programs on Sunday, June 1 under iRead’s “Level Up at Your Library” theme. Patrons can sign up at olpl.beanstack.org to earn prizes by logging their reading through Friday, August 1 and partake…

Education, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Andrew High School makes Unified Sports history…again

December 9, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Andrew High School makes Unified Sports history…again Batman and Robin, Bert and Ernie, Buzz, and Woody have nothing on an incredible pair of students at Victor J. Andrew High School. T-Bolt seniors Scott Oftedahl and Montrell Sippel were recently selected to represent Special Olympic Illinois at Lobby Day in Washington D.C. It’s a known fact…

Cook County, Crime, Education, Festival, News, Sports, Tinley Park

Orland School District 135 turns sex abuse case involving 2 female students into victim shaming

November 23, 2024December 13, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland School District 135 turns sex abuse case involving 2 female students into victim shaming By Ray Hanania Everyone remembers in January 2015 when an Elementary School District 135 teacher, Cara Labus, was arrested on charges of sexually abusing two young school girls, aged 14, beginning in 2008 in suburban Orland Park. The case was…

Blogger, Commentary, Education, Law, Opinion, Orland Park, Police, rayhanania, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, women

SIU’s Touch of Nature removing invasive plants, restoring native flora and fauna

November 14, 2024November 14, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

SIU’s Touch of Nature removing invasive plants, restoring native flora and fauna by Christi Mathis The sweet-smelling flowers of bush honeysuckle and multiflora rose may look attractive in forests and yards, but in reality, they pose a serious danger to native flora and fauna. So Southern Illinois University Carbondale is taking action. Along with autumn…

Education, Environment, News

School District 230 welcomes students to Board of Education Committees

October 2, 2024October 2, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

School District 230 welcomes students to Board of Education Committees Students from across Consolidated High School 230 are adding their voices to Board of Education committee meetings. Specifically, three students from each school have been selected to serve on each of the three Board of Education Committees – Education, Student Support & Development, and Building…

Education, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Tinley Park

High School District 230’s President Lynn Zeder should resign from the board

September 27, 2024April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

High School District 230’s President Lynn Zeder should resign from the board Opinion: District 230 President Lynn Zeder was aware of plans involving three TIF districts that will siphon hundreds of millions in property taxes from the district’s three high schools, but she has been publicly silent about it. Instead of addressing these TIFs, which…

Blogger, Commentary, Education, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

District 230 Board of Education appoints new member

September 20, 2024September 20, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

District 230 Board of Education appoints new member The Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education appointed Orland Park resident Chris Kasmer to serve out a vacant term of office until April 2025. Kasmer serves as president of Carpenters Local 1027 and is in his 14th year as a trustee to the Chicago Transit…

Education, News, NewsWire, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Press Release: Orland Park should suspend TIF district plans until they release delinquent financial audits

August 29, 2024August 31, 2024 Ray Hanania 4 Comments

Press Release: Orland Park should suspend TIF district plans until they release delinquent financial audits Orland Park, IL — Plans by Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau to create three TIF districts to address “blighted land developments” should be put on hold until after he releases two delinquent financial audits detailing the true nature of the…

Education, Government, News, news release, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Plan to Allow Leftover College Savings Funds to Be Used For Retirement Signed Into Law

August 5, 2024August 5, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ Plan to Allow Leftover College Savings Funds to Be Used For Retirement Signed Into Law Treasurer Michael Frerichs Thanks Governor, Lawmakers for Bipartisan Approval Parents who don’t use all the money in their Illinois 529 College Savings Accounts (Bright Start and Bright Directions) are now able to roll over the…

Education, Government, Illinois Legislature, News

School District 230 T-Bolts score tops on National German Exam

May 30, 2024May 30, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

School District 230 T-Bolts score tops on National German Exam Victor J. Andrew had a total of 40 students across the German 1, 2 and 3 courses participate in the National German Exam given by the American Association of Teachers of German. Students scored very well, five of whom received Bronze and Silver medals for…

Education, Features, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Tinley Park

View the solar eclipse from Cahokia Mounds on April 8

April 4, 2024April 4, 2024 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

View the solar eclipse from Cahokia Mounds on April 8 Visitors are invited to view the April 8 solar eclipse from Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville. Although the site is not in the path of totality, a spectacular partial solar eclipse will be visible beginning at 12:43 p.m. and continuing for just over…

Culture, Education, Entertainment, Illinois Legislature, News

Windy City Blues Society presents “Blues in the Schools” performances in Willow Springs March 19

March 14, 2024March 14, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Windy City Blues Society presents “Blues in the Schools” performances in Willow Springs March 19 Blues In The Schools Presented by: The Windy City Blues Society & Willow Springs School District 108 Featuring: Geneva Red & The Original Delta Fireballs Willow Springs Public School (K-8), 8345 Archer Ave. Willow Springs, IL Tuesday March 19th 9:00…

Education, Entertainment, Features, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois welcomes visitors for April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse

March 11, 2024March 11, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois welcomes visitors for April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse Thousands expected to view the eclipse from southern Illinois for the second time since 2017. UPDATE: Video from Friday’s eclipse news conference at Giant City State Park is available for download Preparations are underway to host thousands of visitors in Illinois for the April 8,…

Education, Environment, Features, Health, Illinois Legislature, National, News, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Weather