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  • Chicago ranks as 161st worst city for crime in new national survey Chicago
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Category: Politics

Madigan, House Democrats urge Fair Tax to ease Burden on Middle Class

Posted on April 26, 2018April 26, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Madigan, House Democrats urge Fair Tax to ease Burden on Middle Class
Madigan, House Democrats urge Fair Tax to ease Burden on Middle Class

Madigan, House Democrats urge Fair Tax to ease Burden on Middle Class Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, House Democrats and advocates for the middle class are calling out Gov. Bruce Rauner and Republicans for refusing to consider fair tax reform that would provide relief for the middle class while making the ultra-wealthy pay their fair…

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Chicago, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

A good movie should be about entertainment

Posted on April 21, 2018November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on A good movie should be about entertainment
A good movie should be about entertainment

A good movie should be about entertainment These days, movie reviewers judge films not by what the audience wants but rather by what they want. Oftentimes, those judgments are driven by issues that pander to social minorities and left-wing liberal preferences. Why can’t we judge films based solely on their entertainment value, rather than on…

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Blogger, Commentary, Entertainment, Movies, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Review, Theater

Reverend to challenge Congressman Bobby Rush as independent

Posted on April 19, 2018April 19, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Reverend to challenge Congressman Bobby Rush as independent
Reverend to challenge Congressman Bobby Rush as independent

Reverend to challenge Congressman Bobby Rush as independent Longtime Congressman Bobby Rush criticized for failing to represent district, failing to defend against increasing violence, and failing to provide leadership Reverend Anthony Williams will challenge incumbent Congressman Bobby Rush in the upcoming race for the First Congressional District.  Reverend Williams will make his formal announcement on…

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Chicago, elections, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Morrison re-elected as Cook County GOP Chairman

Posted on April 19, 2018April 20, 2018 By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Morrison re-elected as Cook County GOP Chairman
Morrison re-elected as Cook County GOP Chairman

Morrison re-elected as Cook County GOP Chairman Pro-taxpayer champion and 17th District Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison re-elected as leader of the Cook County Republican Organization. Morrison led the drive to block the oppressive soda and sweetened drink tax imposed by former Chicago Machine alderman and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle Sean Morrison, the…

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elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

30-year anniversary of a Chicago journalist’s passing

Posted on April 12, 2018November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on 30-year anniversary of a Chicago journalist’s passing
30-year anniversary of a Chicago journalist’s passing

30-year anniversary of a Chicago journalist’s passing Chicago City Hall Journalist Harry Golden Jr., died on May 1, 1988, 30 years ago having documented Chicago’s rollercoaster political scene, and bringing to a final end the era of Front Page journalism. Golden was one of the best journalists in America at the time and has never…

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Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania

Roseanne revival brings back memories of great TV

Posted on April 6, 2018November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Roseanne revival brings back memories of great TV
Roseanne revival brings back memories of great TV

Roseanne revival brings back memories of great TV Television has always reflected the worst of our society, but in recent years it has gotten even worse especially int he area of politics. But the revival of a former TV sitcom, Roseanne, has returned us to the glory days of TV when comedy and humor in…

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Blogger, Commentary, Features, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Television

Anti-gun protestors are missing the real target

Posted on March 29, 2018November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Anti-gun protestors are missing the real target
Anti-gun protestors are missing the real target

Anti-gun protestors are missing the real target I’m glad young people are taking to the streets to protest for justice but they need to refocus their aim at the real issue of stopping violence and not the partisan political issue of attacking the NRA. They should be protesting in neighborhoods against street gangs, not engaging…

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Blogger, Commentary, Crime, Government, National, Opinion, Police, Politics, rayhanania

Nearly every congressman, candidate has taken money from AIPAC

Posted on March 23, 2018November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Nearly every congressman, candidate has taken money from AIPAC
Nearly every congressman, candidate has taken money from AIPAC

Nearly every congressman, candidate has taken money from AIPAC In the heated battle for the 3rd Congressional District in the March 20, 2018 Democratic Primary, which has one of the largest concentrations of Arab American voters in the country, incumbent conservative Dan Lipinski squeaked out a slim victory over liberal challenger Marie Newman. For the…

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Blogger, Commentary, Government, National, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Brannigan vows to stand up to bullies, work for Township

Posted on March 22, 2018September 25, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Brannigan vows to stand up to bullies, work for Township
Brannigan vows to stand up to bullies, work for Township

Brannigan vows to stand up to bullies, work for Township Palos Township Trustee distributes newsletter vowing to stand up to the small group of bullies who have been disrupting Township board meetings over opinion comments she posted on her Facebook page critical of immigration that some accused of being “racist.” Brannigan apologized for the comments…

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Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Democratic Machine revives in election as big names are pushed under

Posted on March 20, 2018November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Democratic Machine revives in election as big names are pushed under
Democratic Machine revives in election as big names are pushed under

Democratic Machine revives in election as big names are pushed under J.B. Pritzker defeats Kennedy who runs 3rd behind Daniel Biss for Governor. Kwame Raoul holds a lead over former Governor Pat Quinn for Illinois Attorney General. Congressman Dan Lipinski holds a tight lead over liberal challenger Marie Newman. Fritz Kaegi unseats Joe Berrios as…

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

Trump factor in Illinois being over-played

Posted on March 20, 2018November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Trump factor in Illinois being over-played

Trump factor in Illinois being over-played Just like in the 2016 presidential election campaigns, the mainstream news media is getting it wrong.  Every newspaper predicted that Hillary Clinton would easily defeat Donald Trump in the November 8, 2016 presidential election. Every poll, every pundit and every journalist made the prediction as if it were a…

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Blogger, Commentary, elections, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Will County Clerk race shows how little media cares about real issues

Posted on March 17, 2018November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Will County Clerk race shows how little media cares about real issues
Will County Clerk race shows how little media cares about real issues

Will County Clerk race shows how little media cares about real issues The race for Will County Clerk will determine who will be responsible for maintaining the county’s records, and managing department budget costs, things the mainstream news media apparently doesn’t seem to concerned about. What they are worried about is an incident that happened…

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Blogger, Commentary, Government, Media Bias, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Why conspiracy theories are necessary

Posted on March 14, 2018March 14, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Why conspiracy theories are necessary
Why conspiracy theories are necessary

Why conspiracy theories are necessary Youtube has launched a campaign to delete and ban videos that promote “conspiracy theories” that trend against mainstream acceptance and news media coverage. But is that a wise thing to allow? Conspiracy theories keep the American public aware of instances when conspiracy theories are actually a reality By Ray Hanania…

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Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, General Topics, Government, Opinion, Politics, Racism, Technology

Arab Democratic Club endorses Kennedy, Lipinski, Fioretti

Posted on March 13, 2018March 13, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Arab Democratic Club endorses Kennedy, Lipinski, Fioretti
Arab Democratic Club endorses Kennedy, Lipinski, Fioretti

Arab Democratic Club endorses Kennedy, Lipinski, Fioretti The Arab American Democratic Club, Chicagoland’s largest and most active Arab American political organization, released its endorsements for candidates in the March 20, 2018 Democratic Primary election, urging all Arab Americans to vote Board members of the Arab American Democratic Club (AADC), AADC which represents the voice and…

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elections, Government, News, Politics

Crestwood, saving money at the expense of the public

Posted on March 9, 2018November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Crestwood, saving money at the expense of the public
Crestwood, saving money at the expense of the public

Crestwood, saving money at the expense of the public

In the heated race for the 6th Cook County Board District, Patricia Joan Murphy offers taxpayers a better chance of standing up to tax increases. Crestwood Mayor Lou Presta reflects Crestwood’s record of failing to defend taxpayer rights. Crestwood’s history and recent newspaper disclosures about Presta’s past problems with tax debt and red light cameras raises serious questions

By Ray Hanania

(Published in the Southwest News Newspaper Group March 8, 2018)

I first became acquainted with Crestwood in the late 1970s when a police officer there called claiming then Mayor Chester Stranczek ordered police to shoot stray dogs. The order would “save money” by not requiring the village to chase them down.

After I wrote the story, Stranczek and officials there got angry, first because I wrote the story and second because I refused to identify the officer, the whistle blower who I consider to be a hero. The anonymous phone threats wouldn’t stop.

Crestwood was known for refunding resident property taxes, and that meant they needed to find ways to save money. But it just doesn’t seem that the price the public has to pay so Crestwood can “save money” hasn’t been worth it at all.

A red light camera in Chicago, USA. Français :...
A red light camera (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I made it a habit not to drive through Crestwood, fearing I might get pulled over and who knows what could happen in a Crestwood jail? They might force me to drink the water there.

As it turned out, to save money, Crestwood officials figured they could save money by ignoring EPA safety regulations, mixing poisoned water into the village water system between 1985 and 2007. How many people got cancer from that outrageous “money-saving” practice?

The tiny, 3-square-mile village of under 11,000 residents can’t seem to get away from officials who want to “save money.”

Both ABC TV’s “I-Team” and the Chicago Tribune have slammed Crestwood for their abusive red-light camera system. In fact, of 85 suburban communities that have red light cameras, the Chicago Tribune asserts Crestwood is the “most prolific ticketer in the suburbs.”

Many of the Crestwood red light camera intersections have been denounced as “traps” intended to squeeze drivers for their money, rather than to make the community safer, as Crestwood asserts on its village website.

That’s a history no one should be proud of. So, I am surprised that the mayor there, Lou Presta, instead of rolling up his sleeves to change that poor public image, is instead running for the 6th Cook County District seat that was held for many years by the late Joan Patricia Murphy. Murphy died in September 2016 and was succeeded by Edward Moody, who decided not to run for election.

Murphy’s daughter, Patricia Joan Murphy, is on the ballot running to succeed where her mother left-off and is in a head-to-head battle with Crestwood’s Mayor, Presta to win the March 18 Democratic primary. Donna Miller is also in the race.

I know both Murphy and Presta, although not very well. Murphy has reached out repeatedly to provide me with information about her candidacy but Presta and Miller have not. When I did research on the three candidates, Crestwood’s pathetic history kept dominating the Google searches.

And there is the Sun-Times disclosure that Presta owes a lot of money in back taxes. Presta says it’s from a bad investment and he’s paying it all back.

I’m not sure how a person who owes the IRS can stand up for the needs of taxpayers. But that’s what Presta claims.

IN OTHER RACES: Bob Fioretti is mounting a strong campaign to unseat Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who was bruised by a stupid political decision to impose a one cent per ounce tax on sweetened drinks and soda pop. Even her supporters abandoned her when County Commissioner Sean Morrison introduced a repeal ordinance that passed despite her objections. Fioretti is a credible anti-tax alternative.

Kwame Raoul’s TV Commercials touting his candidacy for Illinois Attorney General are pretty lame. Raoul succeeded Barack Obama in the Illinois Senate. But then I heard him speak at a candidate’s breakfast hosted by the Lyons Township Democratic organization. I was moved by his comments and understanding of the issues including fighting gun related crimes, being an independent voice, and standing up to Gov. Rauner. I wish he would have put “that candidate” in his TV Ads. He is a very powerful speaker, not a meek successor to Obama. That needs to come out in the next two weeks because right now, name recognition is the driving force for most voters.

(Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author and former Chicago City Hall reporter. Contact him through his webpage at www.RayHanania.com.)

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

Rally for Gutierrez for opposing Israeli detentions of children, Chicago, IL

Posted on March 7, 2018March 7, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Rally for Gutierrez for opposing Israeli detentions of children, Chicago, IL
Rally for Gutierrez for opposing Israeli detentions of children, Chicago, IL

Rally for Gutierrez for opposing Israeli detentions of children, Chicago, IL Congressman Luis Gutierrez will be honored by leaders and activists on Monday March 12, 2018 for his leadership in calling on Israel to end its policies of imprisoning and detaining children. Gutierrez, who has represented the Illinois 4th Congressional District since January 1993, has…

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Chicago, Editors Pick, National, News, Politics, Racism

House Democrats Pass Sweeping Gun Safety Measures, Answering Nationwide Call from Student Activists

Posted on March 1, 2018March 1, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on House Democrats Pass Sweeping Gun Safety Measures, Answering Nationwide Call from Student Activists
House Democrats Pass Sweeping Gun Safety Measures, Answering Nationwide Call from Student Activists

House Democrats pass sweeping Gun Safety Measures, answering nationwide call from student activists Responding to a nationwide call from students and parents for immediate action on gun safety in the wake of another tragic mass shooting, Illinois House Democrats passed critical legislation reducing access to assault rifles, banning the sale of ‘bump stock’ modifications, and…

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breaking news, Chicago, Government, National, News, Police, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Remembering Chicago’s racial tensions from the late 1960s

Posted on February 25, 2018November 29, 2020 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Remembering Chicago’s racial tensions from the late 1960s
Remembering Chicago’s racial tensions from the late 1960s

Remembering Chicago’s racial tensions from the late 1960s Looking back at Chicago in the 1960s and the racial tensions that divided Blacks and Whites, I decided to write a book about that experience. White Flight, which I titled “Midnight Flight: One family’s experience of White Flight and the racial transformation of Chicago’s South Side (an online…

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Blogger, Books & Films, Chicago, Commentary, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

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