Category: Opinion

Congresswoman Robin Kelly clear leader in race to succeed Senator Dick Durbin

May 6, 2025May 6, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Congresswoman Robin Kelly clear leader in race to succeed Senator Dick Durbin Congresswoman Robin Kelly announces her candidacy to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Kelly has one of the strongest public service records, introducing legislation to support not only her constituents in the 2nd Congressional District, but is viewed as a more popular candidate…

Blogger, Civil Rights, Commentary, elections, News, Opinion, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many

May 2, 2025May 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many There are two types of referendums — binding and advisory. The government is legally required to act on binding referendum results. Advisory referendums aren’t legally binding and are often used to measure public opinion before making a governmental decision. That…

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

Illinois has many better options than Pritzker’s choice to succeed Durbin

April 27, 2025April 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois has many better options than Pritzker’s choice to succeed Durbin By Ray Hanania Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who believes he can buy any election, any time for any amount of money, wants to buy the seat of retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Pritzker has pushed his Lieutenant Governor, Juliana Stratton, to run for the…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Senator Michael Hastings, Taxes

72 years around the sun, an experience that continues to grow

April 19, 2025April 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

72 years around the sun, an experience that continues to grow Journalist and columnist Ray Hanania looks back at 72 years and the ups and downs of life from school to journalism, politics, cancer, legionnaires’ disease, standup comedy, and music By Ray Hanania 72 years around the sun today .., thank you everyone for the…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, General Topics, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago

April 18, 2025April 18, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago By Maria Pappas My office is managing about $122 million in potential refunds for property tax overpayments going back 20 years that I’m eager to send back to property owners. But determining who’s entitled to a refund isn’t simple. Most overpayments…

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

Men can be Victims of Domestic Abuse Too

April 6, 2025April 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Men can be Victims of Domestic Abuse Too By Jeffery M. Leving and Arthur S. Kallow The conviction of a former ballerina who had been charged with second-degree murder and convicted by a jury of manslaughter in the shooting death of her estranged husband in Florida has generated a lot of interest, playing out like a typical…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Blogger, Commentary, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion

Why We Pay Property Taxes In Arrears?

April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Why We Pay Property Taxes In Arrears? Column: Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas One of the most common questions I get in my office, is, “Why do we collect taxes for the previous year?” Here’s the backstory. Cook County’s property tax system has changed dramatically since The Treasurer’s…

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

Leving Team saved Dad’s Son from living with Reported Predator – Registered Sex Offender!

March 28, 2025March 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Leving Team saved Dad’s Son from living with Reported Predator – Registered Sex Offender! By Laura Reichel A desperate Dad called attorney Jeffery Leving for help after discovering his ex planned to take their son away from him to live with her and her new boyfriend, who was a registered sex offender! The Leving legal…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Blogger, Commentary, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion, Radio

Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities

March 23, 2025March 23, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities State lawmakers have made it easier for people with disabilities to continue receiving annual property tax relief. By Maria Pappas Cook County homeowners who receive the Persons with Disabilities Exemption no longer must reapply for the benefit every year. Lawmakers acted to allow…

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

Patch publishes inaccurate news story on Fire District & merger

March 21, 2025March 24, 2025 News Editor No Comments

Patch publishes inaccurate news story on Fire District & merger By Ray Hanania The Patch is a great source of information but it should also have checks and balances on the publishing of news and information. This week, Patch writer Lauren Traut published an article on the growing controversy regarding the issue of “consolidation” or…

elections, Government, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

After fleeing SiriusXM, I was shocked by the hate on AM Radio in Chicago

March 20, 2025March 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

After fleeing SiriusXM, I was shocked by the hate on AM Radio in Chicago I was pushed into subscribing to SiriusXM when I purchased my car. But after many years, I realized I was wasting my money listening to only one or two stations and never getting enough info. Most of it is Islamophobic hate…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, journalism, National, Opinion, Politics, Racism, Radio

Property Tax Exemptions: How Homeowners and Seniors Can Save on Taxes

March 9, 2025March 9, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Property Tax Exemptions: How Homeowners and Seniors Can Save on Taxes By Maria Pappas Property taxes can be a financial burden, but exemptions can help reduce those costs by offering significant savings to property owners. There are three exemptions that do the most good for the most people. They are the Homeowner Exemption, the Senior…

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

New parenting schedule brings peace to dad and kids

February 28, 2025February 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

New parenting schedule brings peace to dad and kids By: Laura Reichel When a couple divorce or separate, it can be difficult to maintain a safe family dynamic when children are involved. One dangerous factor that can damage a father’s ability to secure a stable family dynamic with his children is parental alienation. Parental alienation…

Arthur Kallow, Arthur S. Kallow, Blogger, Commentary, Dads' Rights, Fathers' Rights, Jeffery Leving, Law, Opinion, Radio

Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill name and address information

February 21, 2025February 21, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Treasurer’s website offers easy way to update property tax bill name and address information By Maria Pappas You may not look forward to receiving your property tax bill, but it’s crucial that you get it. Not getting it can lead to missing the payment due date, which can cost you money. That’s exactly what happened…

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

Paying your tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person

February 7, 2025February 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Paying your tax bill online is easy and safe, but you can also pay by mail or in person By Maria Pappas In 1789, Ben Franklin wrote that nothing was certain “except death and taxes.” Today I write about the taxes part of the great American statesman’s uncomfortable reminder: The due date for Cook County…

Blogger, Comedy, Commentary, Cook County, Humor, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Police, Religion

Recent Ray Hanania columns you might have missed on President Carter, Tom Cotton, Keith Pekau, Camelot, and JFK assassination

February 1, 2025February 1, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Recent Ray Hanania columns you might have missed on President Carter, Tom Cotton, Keith Pekau, Camelot, and JFK assassination Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau continues to throw trash and lies at the residents of his Suburban Chicagoland community in an eNewsletter that is filled with political exaggerations and distortions attacking anyone who challenges his failed…

Chicago, Civil Rights, Comedy, Crime, Federal, Festival, Government, Humor, National, News, Opinion, Orland Park, Podcast, Police, Politics, Racism, Regional Midwest, Religion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Opinion: Edgar County “Watchdogs” continue to exaggerate and mislead facts for political pals

January 27, 2025May 1, 2025 Press ReleaseChicago No Comments

Opinion: Edgar County “Watchdogs” continue to exaggerate and mislead facts for political pals The so-called “newspaper” the “Edgar County Watchdogs” (Illinois Leaks) continue to publish misleading and distorted information pimping for their political pals and cronies to attack anyone they disagree with. The website can’t get their facts right, and they twist and distort FOIA…

Blogger, censorship, Commentary, General Topics, Media Bias, News, NewsWire, Opinion

Property Tax Pointers from the County Treasurer: 10 Must-Know Tips for Homeowners

January 24, 2025January 24, 2025 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Property Tax Pointers from the County Treasurer: 10 Must-Know Tips for Homeowners By Maria Pappas As Cook County Treasurer, I’ve learned the property tax system can be confusing and intimidating. Whether you’re a new or longtime homeowner, or a senior citizen, I understand your frustrations. To help, I’ve created 10 tips to better understand your…

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