Category: Government

Speaker Madigan applauds adoption of bipartisan balanced budget

June 1, 2019June 1, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Speaker Madigan applauds adoption of bipartisan balanced budget Legislative report: The Illinois General Assembly approved a bi-partisan budget on Saturday that Speaker Michael J. Madigan predicted will off-set much of the state’s outstanding deficits and shortfalls “Two years ago at this time, Illinois stood on the edge of a cliff. Billions of dollars in debt…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes

Pritzker Applauds Cannabis law, passes Illinois House

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker Applauds Cannabis law, passes Illinois House The Illinois House approved the legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis, sale of recreational Marijuana (Cannabis), a vote appaluded by Gov. JB Pritzker. “The state of Illinois just made history, legalizing adult-use cannabis with the most equity-centric approach in the nation. This will have a transformational impact on our state,…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes

Petroleum Marketers: Raising taxes on gas and cigarettes will hurt businesses across Illinois

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Petroleum Marketers: Raising taxes on gas and cigarettes will hurt businesses across Illinois New taxes will be disastrous for gas stations and convenience stores, particularly along border As lawmakers prepare to head home for the summer, one of their final acts before leaving the Capitol includes potentially doubling the state’s motor fuel tax and raising…

Business, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes

Sandoval cosponsors legislation to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis in Illinois

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Sandoval cosponsors legislation to legalize adult-use recreational cannabis in Illinois Proposal includes provisions for expungement, equitable participation in the industry. The Illinois Senate on Thursday May 30, 2019 voted 38-17 to approve the legislation after about 40 minutes of debate. It must still pass the Illinois House. Recreational cannabis could soon be legal in Illinois under…

Government, Health, Illinois Legislature, News

Gov. Pritzker Activates Illinois National Guard for Flood Relief and urges caution in flood areas

May 30, 2019November 9, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Gov. Pritzker Activates Illinois National Guard for Flood Relief and urges caution in flood areas Gov. JB Pritzker activated the Illinois National Guard to help respond to flooding caused by this past week’s devastating tornadoes and heavy rain storms, and launched a program called “Don’t Wait, Evacuate” to urge residents in flood-slammed communities to leavew…

DuPage, Environment, Government, News, Weather

The psychology of JB’s massive tax hike plan

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

The psychology of JB’s massive tax hike plan JB Pritzker has been lobbying hard to get the legislature to adopt his “Fair Tax” plan, but that plan is just a cover for 18 other big tax hikes that are waiting to slam your pocket book. The Pritzker “Fair Tax” will replace the Flat Tax with…

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

“Fair Tax” approved by Illinois House, now goes to voters

May 28, 2019May 28, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

“Fair Tax” approved by Illinois House, now goes to voters Leaders Also Announce Property Tax Relief Task Force As Part of Fair Tax; Bipartisan, Bicameral Task Force to Make Recommendations for Property Tax Relief. The “Fair Tax” law will be presented to Illinois Voters in a binding referendum in the November 2020 elections Governor JB…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Taxes

Lipinski introduces bill to help taxpayers hurt by SALT deduction

May 24, 2019May 24, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski introduces bill to help taxpayers hurt by SALT deduction Lipinski Introduces Tax Relief Legislation That Will Help Families Hurt by SALT Deduction Cap Without Adding to Federal Debt Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) this week introduced legislation to provide tax relief to families in Illinois and across the country who saw their tax burden increase…

Government, News, Politics, Taxes

Ben Joravsky tackles Chicagoland Politics on podcast

May 23, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Ben Joravsky tackles Chicagoland politics on podcast It was a lot of serious laughs joining longtime Chicago political writer and TIF Authority Ben Joravsky on his podcast this past Wednesday with former Tribune political writer Monroe Anderson. Joravsky’s podcast is one of the top discussions on Chicagoland politics By Ray Hanania Ben Joravsky’s Podcast Tuesday…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Government, News, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Teamsters Local 727 criticize Pritzker plan to impose 6% parking tax

May 22, 2019May 22, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Teamsters Local 727 criticize Pritzker plan to impose 6% parking tax Pritzker’s Proposal for State Parking Tax in ‘Rebuild Illinois’ Plan Will Do Real Harm to Illinois Business Climate. Confiscatory parking tax targets City and unreasonably burdens Chicago workers and businesses The “Rebuild Illinois” capital plan recently released by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker proposed a 6%…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Taxes, Transportation

2nd candidate enters race to challenge Dan Lipinski for Congress

May 22, 2019May 22, 2019 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

2nd candidate enters race to challenge Dan Lipinski for Congress Rush Darwish, Community Organizer and Small Businessman, Announces Candidacy for U.S. Congress Illinois District 3. Darwish is the 2nd candidate to announce he will challenge incumbent Congressman Dan Lipinski who has held the office since 2005. His announcement follows the announcement of former Lipinski rival…

Chicago, elections, Federal, Government, News, Politics, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Illionois State Fair lowers admission prices

May 22, 2019June 12, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illionois State Fair lowers admission prices Adult admission is now only $5 Sunday through Thursday Kevin Gordon, Manager of the Illinois State Fair (ISF) in Springfield is pleased to announce that Sunday through Thursday daily admission prices have been lowered to $5 for adults during the 2019 State Fair—senior prices will remain at $3 and…

Entertainment, Features, Festival, Government, News

Governor Pritzker needs a reboot on his tax plan

May 22, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Governor Pritzker needs a reboot on his tax plan Is Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker anti-women, or does he just not care about empowering women in politics? His faulty drive to replace the Flat Income Tax with the Graduated Income Tax is driven by a male arrogance and a shortsighted political strategy that spells loser across…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Lightfoot targets gun violence in inauguration

May 20, 2019July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lightfoot targets gun violence in inauguration Mayor Lori Lightfoot is sworn into office on May 20, 2019, as Chicago’s first African American woman and first “openly Gay” mayor. Much of Lightfoot’s inauguration speech reflected many of the same principles that were reiterated 40 years ago when on April 16, 1979, Jane Byrne was inaugurated as…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Government, Opinion, rayhanania

The Mother of TV Shows Game of Thrones comes to an end

May 19, 2019July 13, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Mother of TV Shows Game of Thrones comes to an end A recap of Game of Thrones for the 290 million Americans who didn’t watch the eight season series on HBO, putting into modernday context so the rest of the world might understand what’s going on. A spoiler summary for those who haven’t watched…

Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, General Topics, Government, Opinion, rayhanania, Television

Chicagoland American Arab Chamber to host Iftar with Chicago Police

May 17, 2019May 17, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicagoland American Arab Chamber to host Iftar with Chicago Police Arab-American Chamber of Commerce to host Ramadan Iftar at Chicago Police Headquarters with Commander Eddie Johnson, former Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson, leaders of Chicagoland’s Muslim, Christian and Jewish faiths What: The Arab American Chamber of Commerce is hosting an interfaith Ramadan iftar –the time Muslims…

Business, Chicago, Government, News, Police, Politics

IDNR Reminds Boaters to Wear Life Jackets and Stay Sober

May 16, 2019May 16, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

IDNR Reminds Boaters to Wear Life Jackets and Stay Sober National Safe Boating Week is May 18-24 Illinois Conservation Police Officers (CPOs) are reminding boat operators to always drive sober and to wear life jackets – life-saving reminders heading into the state’s busiest boating season. Illinois will join in the observance of National Safe Boating…

Entertainment, Environment, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago aldermen urge Mayor Lightfoot to support new agenda

May 16, 2019May 16, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago aldermen urge Mayor Lightfoot to support new agenda Progressive Aldermen and Aldermen-Elect Announce Reimagine Chicago 100 Day Legislative Platform. Emboldened progressive bloc release “100 Day Plan to Reimagine Chicago” with legislative priorities for the first 100 days Thursday, progressive aldermen and aldermen-elect released a “100 Day Plan to Reimagine Chicago” with legislative priorities for the…

Chicago, Government, News, Politics