Category: Opinion

Podcaster Marc Sims interviews Arab News columnist/writer Ray Hanania

June 15, 2026June 15, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Podcaster Marc Sims interviews Arab News columnist/writer Ray Hanania Podcaster Marc Sims interviews Ray Hanania, columnist and writer with Arab News newspaper, the leading English language newspaper in the Gulf, and the Southwest Regional Press newspaper chain on Chicago’s Southwest and West side and suburbs. Hanania and Sims discusses politics and the issue of the…

Chicago, Commentary, Government, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, Radio, rayhanania, Religion

Illinois Takes a Major Step to Protect Homeowners

June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 News Editor No Comments

Illinois Takes a Major Step to Protect Homeowners By Maria Pappas Owning a home has long been the foundation of financial security for American families. It’s typically a person’s largest investment, one that represents hard work, sacrifice, and a chance to build generational wealth. That’s why the Illinois General Assembly’s passage of House Bill…

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

Property Tax Pointers: 10 Must-Know Tips for Homeowners

May 22, 2026May 22, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Property Tax Pointers: 10 Must-Know Tips for Homeowners By Maria Pappas As Cook County Treasurer, I’ve learned that the property tax system can be confusing and intimidating. To help, I’ve created 10 tips to better understand your property taxes. Familiarize yourself with the Cook County Treasurer’s Office Website Visit cookcountytreasurer.com, your one-stop shop for property…

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

Frank Calabrese and Ray Hanania on Politics podcast discuss court ruling on Samatha Steele’s alleged DUI

May 7, 2026May 8, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Frank Calabrese and Ray Hanania on Politics podcast discuss court ruling on Samatha Steele’s alleged DUI Political consultants and writers Frank Calabrese and Ray Hanania discuss the shocking decision by a former judge this week to reject DUI charges against outgoing Board of Review 2nd District Commissioner Samantah Steele on the “Ray Hanania on Politics”…

Chicago, Cook County, Crime, Law, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Podcast, Police, Politics, rayhanania

Illinois lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 a year in property taxes

January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois lets senior citizens defer up to $7,500 a year in property taxes By Maria Pappas Illinois offers senior citizens a property tax relief program that works like a loan. The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program allows qualifying seniors to defer or postpone the payment of up to $7,500 a year in property…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Seniors

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

Financial planning tool offers free online help to budget late tax payments

December 11, 2025December 11, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Financial planning tool offers free online help to budget late tax payments By Maria Pappas Property owners unable to pay their tax bills in full by the Dec. 15 due date should look at our free online financial planning tool that helps you make smaller, more manageable payments over time. It’s called the Payment Plan…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes

November 30, 2025November 30, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Homeowners shocked by tax hikes should read bills to find out where their money goes By Maria Pappas Record-high increases in property tax bills have angered many Cook County property owners. My office has released an analysis of the nearly 1.8 million tax bills. It showed that in Chicago the median tax bill jumped 16.7%,…

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

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets

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

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets By Maria Pappas Illinois lawmakers in recent years have enacted significant changes to property tax exemptions benefiting veterans, including a landmark provision for those who served during World War II. These changes underscore our commitment to support veterans in Cook County and…

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch

October 17, 2025October 17, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch By Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer Every year, my office mails more than 1.8 million tax bills to property owners across Cook County. If you have a mortgage, your lender may collect money from you each month and put it in…

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

The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again

October 11, 2025October 11, 2025 Guest Columnist No Comments

The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again By Mohammed Faheem Each October, as the world waits for the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize, we are reminded that what began as a celebration of humanity’s highest ideals has become an increasingly political spectacle. This year was no different….

Blogger, Commentary, Government, Guest Commentary, Opinion, Politics

Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE

September 20, 2025September 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and political columnist Ray Hanania discuss the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s firing, the murder of Charlie Kirk, the backlash on free speech and increased censorship, Woke vs New Woke, the Great American Divide, how to…

Bill Lipinski, censorship, Civil Rights, Commentary, Culture, Entertainment, Government, immigrant, journalism, News, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, Racism

Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor

September 7, 2025September 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor As you know, I have never been a big fan of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, or, for that matter, many of the most recent governors we have had, including Bruce Rauner, Pat Quinn, or “Mr. Celebrity” Governor, Rod Blagojevich. (Previously published on Ray…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill

September 5, 2025September 5, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill By Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Twice each year, my office mails out about 1.8 million tax bills to Cook County property owners. Most people glance only at the amount due—but your bill is much more than a dollar figure. It’s a detailed breakdown of how your…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Maria Pappas, NewsWire, Opinion, Taxes

Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays

August 27, 2025August 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays By Jeffery M. Leving Despite Hollywood images of happy families sitting around a large table for holiday meals, the reality is that about 50% of couples end up divorced. So, while I am not trying to be a holiday Grinch, I am pointing out the…

Blogger, Commentary, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language

August 8, 2025August 8, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language By Maria Pappas Understanding Cook County’s property tax system can be a challenge even for people born and raised here. Words like “assessments,” “exemptions,” and “multipliers” aren’t part of everyday conversation. For many homeowners, deciphering a tax bill feels like solving a puzzle. Now…

Blogger, Commentary, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Taxes

How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny

July 25, 2025July 26, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

How My Office Handles Billions — And Protects Every Penny By Maria Pappas Cook County Treasurer Two times a year, my office mails nearly 1.8 million property tax bills and collects over $18 billion. That’s not a typo — $18 billion. As Cook County Treasurer, I oversee the second-largest property tax collection and distribution system…

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

Video Podcast on Trump’s problems with Jeffrey Epstein, Netanyahu’s coalition in jeopardy

July 19, 2025July 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Video Podcast on Trump’s problems with Jeffrey Epstein, Netanyahu’s coalition in jeopardy In the Video podcast, political columnist Ray Hanania and former Congressman Bill Lipinski discuss the Jeffrey Epstein controversy and its impact on President Trump; open rebellion among some MAGA Republicans including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene over foreign aid and Epstein, the issue of…

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Civil Rights, Commentary, elections, National, News, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Republican, Taxes