Category: Government

Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt

July 12, 2025July 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt Newly elected Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge detailed the problems that former Mayor Keith Pekau left to the taxpayers of the village he controlled for the past six years including an impending financial debt of $200 million. You can read the entire…

breaking news, elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Republican, Suburban Chicagoland

Mohammed Jaber takes Oath of Office for Orland Fire Commission

July 8, 2025July 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mohammed Jaber takes Oath of Office for Orland Fire Commission The Orland Fire Protection District’s Board of Fire Commissioners on Monday, July 7, 2025, administered the Oath of Office to Mohammed Jaber, 42, to fill a vacancy on the three-member board. The Fire Commission reviews and recommends issues related to the hiring of firefighters and…

Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Village of Orland Park to Host Annual Veterans Golf Classic

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

Village of Orland Park to Host Annual Veterans Golf Classic Event to be held August 26 at Silver Lake Country Club, 9:30 a.m. shotgun start Registration is now open for the 2025 Veterans Golf Classic, hosted by the Village of Orland Park. Scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, at Silver Lake Country Club located at 14700…

Entertainment, Golf, Government, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Property tax bills delayed in Orland Township

June 30, 2025June 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Property tax bills delayed in Orland Township Orland Township Assessor Rich E. Kelly made the following announcement Monday, June 30, 2025: When Cook County’s second installment property tax bills are sent on time, tax bills hit mailboxes in late June and are due around August 1, 2025. This year, however, the mailing and due dates…

Government, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day

June 12, 2025June 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day By Jeffery M. Leving This Father’s Day I’d like to pay tribute to a certain segment of fathers that is often overlooked — single and divorced fathers who are raising their children. We often hear about single and divorced mothers who raise their children and while…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Government, Jeffery Leving, Law, News, Opinion

Southland manufacturer receives state funding thanks to Hastings

June 12, 2025June 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Southland manufacturer receives state funding thanks to Hastings State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced an Oak Forest manufacturer has been selected to participate in and receive state funding through the Made in Illinois Grant Program. “To keep up with big business, small-scale local manufacturers need support to help them thrive and achieve their goals,” said…

Business, Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County’s Annual Tax Sale to be Postponed for Seven Months

June 4, 2025June 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County’s Annual Tax Sale to be Postponed for Seven Months Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas plans to postpone the Annual Tax Sale for seven months, during which time she hopes to work with legislators on comprehensive property tax foreclosure reform measures. At Pappas’s urging, the Illinois General Assembly last week passed legislation that allows…

Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

State GOP Chair Salvi applauds Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”

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

State GOP Chair Salvi applauds Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” passed the House of Representatives with the unwavering support of Illinois Republicans. A big thank you to Congressman Darin LaHood, Congressman Mike Bost, and Congresswoman Mary Miller for their leadership. This landmark legislation locks in key provisions of the Tax Cuts…

Democrat, Economy, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Republican, Taxes

Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager

May 12, 2025May 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager Mayor Pro Tem announced, Downtown Orland Park development reviewed The Village of Orland Park is pleased to announce the appointment of George Koczwara as Orland Park Village Manager, following a special meeting held on May 12, 2025. Koczwara, who previously served as Orland Park’s Village…

Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Roseland Ceasefire Warns Chicago’s Homicide Numbers Could Be Victims of Trump’s Targeted Cuts

May 8, 2025May 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Roseland Ceasefire Warns Chicago’s Homicide Numbers Could Be Victims of Trump’s Targeted Cuts Chicago is seeing some of its lowest homicide numbers since 1962, according to the City of Chicago. In April, 20 homicides were recorded. That brings the total number of people slain to 116, which are 35 people fewer than last year. One…

Chicago, Crime, Government, Law, News, NewsWire, Police

Orland Fire District elects woman Board President

May 7, 2025June 15, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Fire District elects woman Board President Orland Fire Protection District Trustee Beth Damas Kaspar, who recently won re-election to a six-year term as Trustee, was elected on Tuesday (May 5, 2025) to serve as the Fire District’s first woman Board President in the past two decades. Damas Kaspar was sworn into her second term along…

breaking news, Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, Photos, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Fiscal Voices candidates to take Oath of Office for Trustee for Orland Fire District Monday

May 3, 2025May 3, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fiscal Voices candidates to take Oath of Office for Trustee for Orland Fire District Monday The Fiscal Voices for Fire Safety candidates will be sworn in to their seats as Trustees of the Orland Fire Protection District at a special meeting of the Fire District on Monday, May 5, 2025, beginning at 5 PM. Taking…

elections, Government, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Cook County Commissioner Aguilar expresses strong support for “workers’ rights” at rally Thursday

May 2, 2025May 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Commissioner Aguilar expresses strong support for “workers’ rights” at rally Thursday Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar joined May Day Celebrations, May 1, 2025, and spoke at the rally in support of workers’ rights and immigration On Thursday, May 1st, Commissioner Aguilar attended the May Day celebrations in Chicago. Commissioner Aguilar spoke to attendees about…

Civil Rights, Cook County, Government, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many

May 2, 2025May 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many There are two types of referendums — binding and advisory. The government is legally required to act on binding referendum results. Advisory referendums aren’t legally binding and are often used to measure public opinion before making a governmental decision. That…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Opinion, Taxes

Hastings working to ensure vet techs have necessary training

May 1, 2025May 1, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings working to ensure vet techs have necessary training State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced a measure to ensure anyone practicing as a veterinary technician is licensed and trained from an accredited program. “When you go to see a doctor, it can bring you peace of mind to see their medical license displayed on the…

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

Illinois has many better options than Pritzker’s choice to succeed Durbin

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

Illinois has many better options than Pritzker’s choice to succeed Durbin By Ray Hanania Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who believes he can buy any election, any time for any amount of money, wants to buy the seat of retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Pritzker has pushed his Lieutenant Governor, Juliana Stratton, to run for the…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Senator Michael Hastings, Taxes

Nick Uniejewski announces for Illinois State Senate District 6

April 22, 2025April 22, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Nick Uniejewski announces for Illinois State Senate District 6 “It’s time for new energy and leadership in Springfield,” said Illinois. State Senate 6th District candidate Nick Uniejewski Community organizer and policy analyst Nick Uniejewski launched his campaign for Illinois State Senate in the 6th District, challenging incumbent Senator Sara Feigenholtz in the Democratic primary, today…

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

You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago

April 18, 2025April 18, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago By Maria Pappas My office is managing about $122 million in potential refunds for property tax overpayments going back 20 years that I’m eager to send back to property owners. But determining who’s entitled to a refund isn’t simple. Most overpayments…

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