Category: Illinois Legislature

Hastings champions school safety with mobile panic alert bill

February 6, 2026February 6, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings champions school safety with mobile panic alert bill SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is spearheading legislation aimed at improving emergency response in Illinois schools using mobile panic alert systems. The bill seeks to provide schools with modern tools to quickly alert first responders in the event of a crisis. “Every second matters…

Education, Fire, Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, safety, Suburban Chicagoland

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

Hastings introduces legislation to strengthen cannabis safety and prevent child access

January 28, 2026January 28, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings introduces legislation to strengthen cannabis safety and prevent child access State Senator Michael E. Hastings introduced Senate Bill 2866, legislation designed to strengthen safety requirements for cannabis products and reduce the risk of accidental ingestion by children. “While cannabis is legal for adult use in Illinois, we must continue to take responsible steps to…

Health, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire

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

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

Uniejewski Campaign Knocks 50,000 Doors in the 6th District

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

Uniejewski Campaign Knocks 50,000 Doors in the 6th District Grassroots organizing effort spans every ward, showing unprecedented organizing strength. Nick Uniejewski’s campaign announced today that it has knocked on more than 50,000 doors in all 10 wards across Illinois’ 6th State Senate District, demonstrating the scale of an organizing-first campaign focused on building lasting community…

elections, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics

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

Illinois Tollway prepared to clear roads and assist drivers during Thanksgiving weekend storm

November 28, 2025November 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Tollway prepared to clear roads and assist drivers during Thanksgiving weekend storm Motorists asked to slow down and increase their distance from other vehicles The Illinois Tollway is reminding drivers to slow down and allow extra time for their Thanksgiving holiday travels and weekend trips as a winter storm moves through Northern Illinois, with…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Weather

Illinois sees 7th highest rise in total household debt, ranks 29th in debt rise

November 6, 2025November 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois sees 7th highest in total household debt, ranks 29th in debt rise With household debt reaching $18.59 trillion in Q3 2025, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its rankings of the States With the Largest & Smallest Debt Increases, based on new data from TransUnion and the Federal Reserve, to highlight where people may…

Economy, Illinois Legislature, National, News, NewsWire

Hastings’ insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield

October 31, 2025October 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings’s insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced legislation designed to protect homeowners from excessive insurance rate increases and ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in Illinois homeowners insurance. “With this legislation, we are putting fairness and accountability back into the system,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Here is what this means…

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

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown

October 30, 2025October 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown Estimated 153,000 Federal Workers in Illinois to be impacted by government shutdown Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is committing $50 million to fund zero-interest and low-interest loans to unpaid federal workers during the government shutdown. The loans will be…

Economy, Federal, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Politics

Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families

October 29, 2025October 29, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families State Senator Michael E. Hastings was joined at a press conference Wednesday by Senators Willie Preston, Paul Faraci, Meg Loughran Cappel, Christopher Belt, and Doris Turner to announce new legislation designed to protect homeowners from excessive insurance rate increases and ensure fairness, transparency,…

Business, Economy, Government, Illinois Legislature, Insurance, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings

Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown

October 24, 2025October 24, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown FRANKFORT — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is urging federal lawmakers to resolve the ongoing government shutdown to prevent the cessation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, come Nov. 1. Nearly two million Illinois residents rely on SNAP to provide…

Baby Boomers, Economy, food, Government, Illinois Legislature, Michael Hastings, News, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield

October 24, 2025October 24, 2025 News Editor No Comments

Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus bill and how it could impact your electricity rates in Illinois. Consumers need to be aware of the full impact of the legislation. For more information, visit the website of the Illinois Industrial Energy Consumers, which provides updated…

Business, Energy, Environment, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Taxes

Senator Michael Hastings reacts to Illinois’ State Farm lawsuit

October 15, 2025October 15, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings reacts to Illinois’ State Farm lawsuit SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) released the following statement in response to Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s lawsuit against State Farm, which claims the firm is breaking the law by refusing to turn over homeowners’ insurance data to the state for regulatory examination: “The…

accident, Government, Illinois Legislature, Insurance, Law, Michael Hastings, News, NewsWire, Regional Midwest, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland

Illinois Conservation Foundation Announces 2025 Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Inductees

October 14, 2025October 14, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Conservation Foundation Announces 2025 Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Inductees The Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) has announced nine new inductees into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, recognizing their outstanding contributions to conservation, education, and outdoor recreation. The 2025 class represents decades of dedication to protecting Illinois’ natural resources and inspiring others to enjoy…