Category: Government

Hastings files bill to protect homeowners from post-storm contractor scams

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings files bill to protect homeowners from post-storm contractor scams State Senator Michael E. Hastings filed legislation aimed at protecting Illinois homeowners from deceptive and high-pressure contractor practices that often follow severe weather and natural disasters. “After a major storm, families are overwhelmed and trying to protect their homes, not negotiate contracts on their front…

breaking news, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

Chicago Couple Among Nine Individuals Charged in Federal Drug Investigation

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago Couple Among Nine Individuals Charged in Federal Drug Investigation A federal drug investigation has resulted in criminal charges against nine individuals for allegedly trafficking cocaine in the Chicago area. The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Chicago Police Department, utilized covert surveillance operations, undercover narcotics purchases, and wiretapped communications to…

Crime, Federal, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, U.S. Attorney

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Endorses Richard Boykin for 7th Congressional District Seat

January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Endorses Richard Boykin for 7th Congressional District Seat Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is throwing her support behind former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin in his quest to become the next US Congressman in the 7th District. In her video announcement, Pappas points out that Boykin was one of her…

Chicago, elections, Federal, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

City Paid Tens of Millions in Overtime to Potentially Ineligible Employees, OIG Finds

January 21, 2026January 21, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

City Paid Tens of Millions in Overtime to Potentially Ineligible Employees, OIG Finds The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) has published an advisory sent to the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Department of Finance (DOF) alerting them that from 2020 through 2024, the City paid $26.5 million in overtime to…

Chicago, Government, News, NewsWire, Releases

Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau

January 21, 2026January 21, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information On January 20, 2026, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Kate Moreland denied former Mayor Keith Pekau’s motion to dissolve the existing Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), allowing the Village’s lawsuit…

Crime, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Open House at District Office

January 15, 2026January 15, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Open House at District Office On Tuesday, January 13th, Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted an open house at his district office. The event attracted over 50 attendees from throughout the district and connected residents to government, health, and community services. Joining Commissioner Aguilar and his office were staff from the…

Cook County, Government, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Candidate Ruzevich shows unprecedented momentum in campaign for Congress

January 12, 2026January 12, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Candidate Ruzevich shows unprecedented momentum in campaign for Congress Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich shows an unprecedented level of momentum for a first-time candidate in the final months of 2025. Following the official launch of Joey’s campaign in October of 2025, expectations for a newcomer challenging an incumbent were low. However, an organic & insatiable desire for…

elections, Federal, Government, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Gill-Backed Law to Reduce Home Energy Costs

January 12, 2026January 12, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gill-Backed Law to Reduce Home Energy Costs State Rep. Mary Gill, D-Chicago, passed key legislation to reduce home energy bills, providing both short and long-term relief to Illinois families as they faced rising energy costs. “Families across our state are worried every time they receive their energy bills, and that should never be the case,”…

Energy, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire

Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Sixth Annual Three Kings Celebration

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Sixth Annual Three Kings Celebration The Three Kings Day event hosted by Abuilar remains one of the largest celebrations of the important Mexican holiday in Chicagoland, drawing support from important leaders and elected officials, including Lyons Mayor Chris Getty and Pastor John Harrell, co-founder of Black Men United…

Cook County, elections, Entertainment, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

React to President Trump’s war on Venezuela from American leaders

January 3, 2026January 3, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

React to President Trump’s war on Venezuela from American leaders By Ray Hanania We will run statements as they are released by various American officials on President Donald Trump’s illegal invasion of Venezuela and his bombastic assertions of his greatness and plans to take over the Venezuelan Oil Field after his detention of Venezuelan President…

Crime, Economy, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, Politics

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

January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 a year in property taxes 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 or postpone the payment of up to $7,500 a year in property…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Seniors

Ray Hanania Radio and Podcasts

December 26, 2025January 2, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ray Hanania Radio and Podcasts People have asked how to access all of my writings, radio shows, and audio/video podcasts, which include Ray Hanania on Politics, Two Guys on Politics with Bill Lipinski, The Ray Hanania Radio Show sponsored by Arab News on WNZK AM 690 Radio in Michigan, and Ray Hanania’s Syndicated column. Hanania takes…

Bill Lipinski, Books & Films, Commentary, elections, Entertainment, Government, Illinois Legislature, National, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Orland Park, Podcast, Politics, Radio, rayhanania, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Review, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Travel

Kat Abughazaleh Leaves X, Calls on Candidates to Stop Funding Elon Musk’s Platform

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

Kat Abughazaleh Leaves X, Calls on Candidates to Stop Funding Elon Musk’s Platform Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh announced today that she will no longer use X, formerly known as Twitter, citing the platform’s transformation into a tool for right-wing radicalization, misinformation, and surveillance under Elon Musk’s ownership. Abughazaleh also called on other candidates to stop…

Chicago, Civil Rights, elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Republican Party in Illinois needs new grassroots, candidate says

December 21, 2025December 21, 2025 News Editor No Comments

Republican Party in Illinois needs new grassroots, candidate says In a recent press release, U.S. Republican Senate Candidate R. Cary Capparelli argues that the Republican Party needs new leadership. Capparelli is correct, and several GOP candidates have surfaced to help redefine the Republican effort in Illinois, including in and around Chicago, such as Liz Gorman…

elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics, Republican, Suburban Chicagoland

Hastings law modernizes missing persons investigations starting Jan. 1

December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings law modernizes missing persons investigations starting Jan. 1 According to the Department of Justice’s National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, Illinois has 461 open missing persons cases. Starting Jan. 1, law enforcement will take a new approach to these cases, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Michael E. Hastings. “I teamed…

Crime, Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Law, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Releases, Senator Michael Hastings

Cook County Pastors from the south and west sides and suburbs urge property tax reform

December 16, 2025December 18, 2025 News Editor No Comments

Cook County Pastors from the south and west sides and suburbs urge property tax reform Chicago, IL — A coalition of African American Pastors representing more than 100 churches on Chicago’s South and West sides and suburbs called for immediate reforms in the property tax system, warning recent tax hikes will force thousands to lose…

Cook County, Economy, elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

John Harrell hosts taxpayer review workshops for residents, urges extension of appeals period and tax hike limits

December 12, 2025December 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

John Harrell hosts taxpayer review workshops for residents, urges extension of appeals period and tax hike limits 8th Legislative District candidate Harrell calls for extension of property tax payment deadline, new laws to make it more difficult for homeowners to lose their properties because of property tax debts, and to limit how much property taxes…

Chicago, elections, Government, News, news release, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Orland Park Statement on Settlement of William Sanchez vs. Village of Orland Park, et al., Lawsuit

December 5, 2025December 5, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Statement on Settlement of William Sanchez vs. Village of Orland Park, et al., Lawsuit Status of Temporary Restraining Order Against Former Mayor Keith Pekau for Releasing Confidential Village Information William Sanchez vs. Village of Orland Park, et al. The Village of Orland Park has reached a settlement agreement with William Sanchez to fully…

Government, News, Orland Park, Police, Politics