Category: Government

Harper proposes measure to institute “Smarter Sentencing” in Illinois

February 27, 2019February 27, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Harper proposes measure to institute “Smarter Sentencing” in Illinois As part of her commitment to criminal justice reform, state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is proposing a major overhaul of Illinois’ sentencing laws, easing reliance on unfair mandatory minimum sentences and providing judges with discretion to use alternative sentences. “We’ve seen how a so-called ‘tough on…

Chicago, Crime, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

Great choices showcase Chicago’s mayoral election

February 26, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Great choices showcase Chicago’s mayoral election A quick look at all of the great Chicago mayoral contenders and their slogans. Suburbanites want Chicago to succeed. When the city goes down, it drags the suburbs with. Crime there creates crime in the suburbs. Drugs there brings drugs to the suburbs. And when Chicago suffers financially, the…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Van Dyke deserves leniency not race persecution

February 21, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Van Dyke deserves leniency not race persecution The decision by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to pursue a more severe sentence for former Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke in the shooting of drugged-up, armed thug Laquan McDonald is a travesty and a slap against not only families who seek safety and protection from criminals…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, Editors Pick, Government, Opinion, Police, Politics, Racism, rayhanania

The “Ricketts affair,” double standards and media hypocrisy

February 16, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

The “Ricketts affair,” double standards and media hypocrisy The criticism of Joe Ricketts and the attacks against the Chicago Cubs reflect the twisted, distorted form of public justice that has corrupted today’s society. It also displays the hypocrisy of some of the politicians like Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel who have exploited the incident for personal…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Sports, Suburban Chicagoland

Pritzker names Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia to head Veterans Affairs

February 15, 2019February 15, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker names Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia to head Veterans Affairs Governor JB Pritzker announced a new appointment to lead the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, nominating Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia to head the agency. “The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs has faced numerous challenges, and it’s a priority for my administration to ensure that our…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Pawar gets endorsement of new Muslims group for Chicago Treasurer

February 13, 2019June 12, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pawar gets endorsement of new Muslims group for Chicago Treasurer New Muslim Political Organization makes its first endorsements in Chicago City-Wide Elections: Ameya Pawar for City Treasurer and Anna Valencia for City Clerk. The Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition also released its list of Muslims running for office in Chicago and the Chicagoland suburbs Today, on the first…

Chicago, elections, Government, News, Politics, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland

Coalition Calls for Added Funding of Brookfield Zoo in Capital Bill

February 13, 2019February 13, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Coalition Calls for Added Funding of Brookfield Zoo in Capital Bill Infrastructure investment will fix crumbling facilities and spur local economy while preventing cuts to conservation and education programs As negotiations over the state’s first major capital construction program in a decade get underway, the B-NICE Coalition (Brookfield Zoo: Needed Infrastructure for Compassionate Education) is calling…

Entertainment, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

What Chicago mayor candidates are really saying about themselves

February 9, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

What Chicago mayor candidates are really saying about themselves Comparing the campaign TV ads of the various mayoral candidates says a lot about who they really are and what their priorities are, or are not. The candidates for Chicago mayor define themselves in their TV campaign ads. Here’s what it looks like. Published in the…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Taxes

Orland residents call for Mehalek and Fenton to step down

February 7, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Orland residents call for Mehalek and Fenton to step down Voters call foul after a decision by Orland Park Village Clerk John Mehalek and Trustee Kathy Fenton is thrown out by a Cook County Circuit Court Judge. Mehalek and Fenton ruled that a slate of candidates for Orland Park trustee could not appear on the ballot…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Orland Park mall shooting: When does safety become a form of racism?

January 31, 2019October 14, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park mall shooting: When does safety become a form of racism? A teenager brought a gun into the Orland Park Mall and shot and killed a fellow student. But instead of talking about measures to protect innocent shoppers, some want to focus on racism. It’s time to consider metal detectors and restrictions on clothing…

Blogger, Commentary, Crime, General Topics, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Police, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Ald. Quinn Reminds Seniors to call Ward Office for Help with Snow Removal

January 30, 2019January 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ald. Quinn Reminds Seniors to call Ward Office for Help with Snow Removal Ald. Marty Quinn today reminded seniors in the 13th Ward to call his office for help with snow and ice removal. In light of this week’s extreme weather conditions and more snow predicted for tomorrow, Quinn wants people to be sure they have…

breaking news, Chicago, Government, News, Releases

Legislative leaders release report on sexual harassment

January 30, 2019January 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Legislative leaders release report on sexual harassment Legislative leaders release statements detailing steps to be taken in response to allegations of sexual harassment. Statements released by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, former legislator Barbara Flynn Curry, and Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, the chair and the minority spokesperson of the 100th General Assembly’s Illinois House Task Force on…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Releases, women

In Chicago mayoral election, other issues are important, too

January 29, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

In Chicago mayoral election, other issues are important, too With all the usual issues being skirted and glossed over in the Chicago Mayoral election, voters should take notice of the undercurrent of issues on the sidelines that have as much impact on their lives as the rest. Conspiracies are a part of Chicago politics, so…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Gariepy: Protect Taxpayers from Frivolous Petition Challenges

January 25, 2019January 25, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gariepy: Protect Taxpayers from Frivolous Petition Challenges This week, the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners dismissed a challenge filed against the nominating petitions of Peter Gariepy’s campaign for Chicago City Treasurer. The Gariepy campaign filed with more than 30,000 signatures and despite the time and resources expended, easily survived the challenge. “To call the challenge…

Chicago, elections, Government, News, Politics

Mayor Getty and community mourn Trustee Greg Ramirez passing

January 24, 2019January 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor Getty and community mourn Trustee Greg Ramirez passing Mayor Christopher Getty has Closed the Lyons Village Hall and suspended Garbage Service for Monday, January 28th in a Call for Mourning of Trustee Greg Ramirez “It is with deep regret that we share the news of the passing of Village of Lyons Trustee Gregory F….

breaking news, Government, News, Obituary, Suburban Chicagoland

Residents deserve answers from school officials, not a snub

January 24, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Residents deserve answers from school officials, not a snub Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan criticized the Lyons School District 103 board and its chairman Marge Hubacek for violating the Open Meetings Act when she denied parents the ability to speak at a meeting on October 22, 2019. Hubacek, seeking to silence criticism of the hiring…

Blogger, Commentary, Education, General Topics, Government, News, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois leaders denounce Trump’s campus harassment changes

January 23, 2019January 23, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois leaders denounce Trump’s campus harassment changes Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, and leaders of the Illinois Democratic Party including Assistant Majority Leader Kelly Burke denounce President Donald Trump’s efforts to weaken Campus Harassment Rules for university and college students House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and members of the House Democratic Women’s Caucus are calling…

breaking news, Education, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Illinois Tollway prepared for changing winter conditions

January 23, 2019January 23, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Tollway prepared for changing winter conditions Drivers urged to reduce speed, be alert for plows and emergency vehicles The Illinois Tollway has mobilized its full fleet of 196 snowplows in response to freezing rain and snow that is expected to slow rush hour travel as it continues falling overnight and into Wednesday, creating slippery…

General Topics, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation