Category: Illinois Legislature

April named Arab Heritage Month by new Illinois Law

January 10, 2019October 4, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

April named Arab Heritage Month by new Illinois Law Illinois Legislature passes law to designate April as Arab American Heritage Month. The bill was introduced by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, and co-sponsored by State Senator Steve Landek and Representative Mike Zalewski. The bill restores respect for Illinois’ Arab American community which was disrespected…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Entertainment, Festival, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Opinion, Racism, rayhanania, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland

Madigan appoints Rep. Greg Harris as Majority Leader

January 10, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan appoints Rep. Greg Harris as Majority Leader Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Thursday Jan. 10, 2019 announcing his appointment of state Rep. Greg Harris as the Illinois House majority leader: “At my request, Representative Greg Harris will serve as House majority leader. This is the first in a series…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News

Legislative updates: reps sworn in to new terms

January 9, 2019January 9, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Legislative updates: reps sworn in to new terms Illinois Representative Michael J. Madigan was elected to another term as Speaker of the Illinois House. Read releases from other legislators below including: Fran Hurley, Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, Sonya Harper, and Camille Y. Lilly. Hurley to Fight for First Responders, Property Tax Relief in…

elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Protestors block 30 cent gasoline tax hike

January 9, 2019January 9, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Protestors block 30 cent gasoline tax hike Illinois taxpayers defeated the plan of downstate and Cook County Democrats to give the state of Illinois the highest gasoline tax in the country during the Illinois 100th General Assembly lame duck session. The Democrat mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emmanuel, showing how out-of-touch he was with taxpayers, had…

Chicago, Editors Pick, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Taxes

Pritzker announces schedule for inauguration, and new appointments

January 9, 2019January 9, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pritzker announces schedule for inauguration, and new appointments Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker also announced plans to give his top cabinet members a 15 percent raise, and is rumored to be preparing to demand resignations of all appointees on state-held boards and commissions Today, the Pritzker-Stratton Inaugural Committee announced the schedule of weekend events leading up to the inauguration on…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics

Multi-Agency collaboration reduces backlog at the Illinois Human Rights Commission

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Multi-Agency collaboration reduces backlog at the Illinois Human Rights Commission The Illinois Human Rights Commission (HRC) is releasing its first Progress Report on transforming service delivery and addressing the backlog of cases pending before the HRC. The report comes in response to Executive Order 18-08, issued by Gov. Bruce Rauner in June, which required the…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, news release, Politics, Releases

Mayor Emanuel’s disregard for the best interests of taxpayers

December 12, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor Emanuel’s disregard for the best interests of taxpayers Mayor Rahm Emanuel, one of the worst mayors to ever sit in the Chicago mayor’s office, is making one last effort to slam taxpayers in suburban Chicagoland to pay for the financial shortfalls and deficits caused by his poor leadership. He wants to jack up the…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, General Topics, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Transportation

Hurley Holds Business Attire Clothing Drive to Benefit Local Non-profit

November 28, 2018November 28, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hurley Holds Business Attire Clothing Drive to Benefit Local Non-profit State Rep. Fran Hurley, D-Chicago, is holding her 6th Annual Business Attire Clothing Drive this year for young adults from November 29 to December 14. Hurley is encouraging residents in the community to donate new and gently used business clothing attire to benefit the Mercy…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Suburban Chicagoland

GOP Chairman Schneider denounces State Rep. Kifowit’s remarks

November 28, 2018November 28, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

GOP Chairman Schneider denounces State Rep. Kifowit’s remarks Today during floor debate in the Illinois House of Representatives, Democratic State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit wished death upon Republican State Rep. Peter Breen and his family. Kifowit later said her words were “misheard, misrepresented, misinterpreted and mischaracterized,” but an audio recording of her extreme rhetoric proves otherwise….

Government, Illinois Legislature, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland

Challenging racist laws that restrict free speech

November 25, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Challenging racist laws that restrict free speech By Ray Hanania Letter I wrote to Illinois Representative David Harris of Arlington Heights (Republican) who introduced a bill last year to expand the existing anti-BDS law that prohibits Americans from criticizing a specific foreign country, Israel. I criticize Israel’s government and will continue to criticize Israel’s government…

Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Harper Overrides Rauner’s Veto of Urban Agriculture Zones Bill

November 20, 2018November 20, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Harper Overrides Rauner’s Veto of Urban Agriculture Zones Bill State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, helped override the governor’s veto of her legislation that creates local urban agricultural zones across communities in Illinois to help residents grow their own produce. “I have been fighting for access to healthy food options and to expand urban agriculture on…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Politics

Madigan accuses Trump of attacking sexual harassment survivors

November 19, 2018November 19, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan accuses Trump of attacking sexual harassment survivors Madigan: Trump Administration’s Proposed Title IX Overhaul is an Attack on Sexual Assault Survivors Michael J. Madigan, chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, issued the following statement regarding Friday’s action by the Trump Administration’s Education Department that proposed new rules governing school sexual harassment and assault…

breaking news, Education, Illinois Legislature, National

Arab American voters to rally for Democratic candidates Oct. 21

October 11, 2018October 11, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab American voters to rally for Democratic candidates Oct. 21 Dozens of Democratic candidates running in the November 6, 2018 General election will be showcased at the annual Candidate’s Breakfast & Brunch on Sunday, October 21 hosted by The Arab American Democratic Club. The keynote speakers at the event are Illinois House Speaker Michael J….

breaking news, Editors Pick, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Statement from Chairman Madigan on sexual harassment

September 26, 2018September 26, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Statement from Chairman Madigan on sexual harassment Michael J. Madigan, chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, released the following statement Wednesday: “Addressing harassment, increasing access and ensuring equality of all forms are issues of great importance to the Democratic Party of Illinois, and the time and commitment that Comptroller Mendoza, Senator Bush and Representative…

Government, Illinois Legislature, Politics, women

Munger named interim DCEO director

September 21, 2018September 21, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Munger named interim DCEO director Takes business development role as McCarthy leaves for private sector Gov. Bruce Rauner today said that Deputy Gov. Leslie Munger would be taking on the new role of acting director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). She replaces Director Sean McCarthy, who has accepted a position…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Releases

Speaker Madigan, Clerk candidate Yarbrough to keynote Arab American Forum

August 30, 2018August 30, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Speaker Madigan, Clerk candidate Yarbrough to keynote Arab American Forum The Arab American Democratic Club (AADC) announced this week that Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and Karen Yarbrough, the current Cook County Recorder of Deeds and now the official Democratic candidate for Cook County Clerk, will be keynote speakers at the annual Candidate’s Brunch…

Chicago, Editors Pick, elections, Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Madigan’s staff challenges report on gender diversity

August 14, 2018August 14, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan’s staff challenges report on gender diversity Statement from Chief of Staff Jessica Basham on Gender Diversity Statistics Jessica Basham, chief of staff for the Office of the Speaker, released the following statement Tuesday on diversity and the hiring of women: “While recent reporting by the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform recognizes the importance of…

Illinois Legislature, Releases, women

Rick Lesser Slated as Candidate in 58th Illinois House District

August 7, 2018September 25, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Rick Lesser Slated as Candidate in 58th Illinois House District “We need everyday people to fix Illinois for the sake of our children and grandchildren.” Rick Lesser, a successful small business owner and one of the leading estate planning attorneys in Illinois, announced his candidacy today for Illinois State Representative in the 58th District. Lesser was slated…

elections, Illinois Legislature, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland