Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Casinos need to get their act together Chicago is planning to build at least one new casino possibly more. Hopefully the city will do a better job than Indiana which has the worst, dirtiest casinos in the Midwest. Government should put more restrictions on casinos and give more money back to the public By Ray…
It was more than just “Walking on the Moon” There have been many big moments in history that I remember with clarity as if they just happened. Yet the biggest was Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. Why have we stopped that quest? By Ray Hanania I remember many things vividly from history during my…
Former Mayor Jane Byrne deserves more recognition With a rising awareness of the importance of the role of women in society, government, politics and the need to continue to champion equality for the sexes, remembering one of the pioneers of women in politics in Chicago is important. Jane Byrne deserves more recognition as Chicago’s first…
Read More “Former Mayor Jane Byrne deserves more recognition” »
I promise, I didn’t write this column high on the Ganja The decision by the State of Illinois to legalize marijuana has raised some concerns from foes. But marijuana is really no different than alcohol. And if they want to eliminate marijuana, they should eliminate alcohol, too, from our retail stores. By Ray Hanania Anybody…
Read More “I promise, I didn’t write this column high on the Ganja” »
Is there a double standard when it comes to “corruption” Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot seemed to treat Alderman Carrie Austin, who is African American, differently from how she treated Alderman Edward M. Burke, who is White. Both aldermen were targets of FBI office raids when Lightfoot slammed Burke but was caution on Austin By Ray…
Read More “Is there a double standard when it comes to “corruption”” »
I don’t need a day to remember my father George John Hanania was a great guy and a phenomenal father, for the 16 years that I knew him. My dad fled the Holy Land in 1926 to get away from the hatred that consumed both Arabs and Jews. An older brother Joseph drowned in the…
The solution to climate change grows on trees By John Keppler Americans are tired of half measures on climate change. Seven in ten Americans want utility companies to overhaul their operations and generate 100 percent of the nation’s electricity from renewables in the near future. That’s ambitious. Renewable energy accounts for just 17 percent of…
Podcast: A preview of the upcoming battle for the 3rd Congressional District Another battle in the 3rd Congressional District: Dan Lipinski, Marie Newman, Rush Darwish. Season 1, Episode 17, June 17, 2019 Award-winning former Chicago City Hall reporter, and syndicated political columnist Ray Hanania offers a preview of the upcoming battle brewing in the…
Read More “Podcast: A preview of the upcoming battle for the 3rd Congressional District” »
Republican legislators criticize Pritzker Gas Tax Governor Pritzker’s doubling of the Illinois Gasoline Tax causes damage to Illinois economy coalition of Republican legislators argue in an Op-Ed commentary By Republican State Representatives Transportation is a vital part of the Illinois economy. When it comes to Interstate highways, Illinois has the third most Interstates in the…
Read More “Republican legislators criticize Pritzker Gas Tax” »
Hold communities accountable and stop blaming the police Chicago continues to be ravaged by street gang gun-related violence. Mayor Lightfoot has vowed to address the problem. But only focusing on the Chicago Police is not the answer. More emphasis needs to be placed on the residents living in the communities where the violence occurs to…
Read More “Hold communities accountable and stop blaming the police” »
Mayor Lightfoot should not rush to judgement on Burke Newly elected Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has used the troubles of Alderman Ed Burke to bolster her image as a “reformer” and pandered to the hedonic character of the mainstream news media demanding that he resign. But in America, the mob doesn’t rule, the Rule of…
Read More “Mayor Lightfoot should not rush to judgement on Burke” »
The psychology of JB’s massive tax hike plan JB Pritzker has been lobbying hard to get the legislature to adopt his “Fair Tax” plan, but that plan is just a cover for 18 other big tax hikes that are waiting to slam your pocket book. The Pritzker “Fair Tax” will replace the Flat Tax with…
Ben Joravsky tackles Chicagoland politics on podcast It was a lot of serious laughs joining longtime Chicago political writer and TIF Authority Ben Joravsky on his podcast this past Wednesday with former Tribune political writer Monroe Anderson. Joravsky’s podcast is one of the top discussions on Chicagoland politics By Ray Hanania Ben Joravsky’s Podcast Tuesday…
Read More “Ben Joravsky tackles Chicagoland Politics on podcast” »
Governor Pritzker needs a reboot on his tax plan Is Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker anti-women, or does he just not care about empowering women in politics? His faulty drive to replace the Flat Income Tax with the Graduated Income Tax is driven by a male arrogance and a shortsighted political strategy that spells loser across…
Read More “Governor Pritzker needs a reboot on his tax plan” »
Orland Park’s Texas de Brazil knocks it out of the park Texas de Brazil opens a new restaurant in Orland Park and it sizzles with perfect meat selections. It’s one of the best restaurants to enjoy a great family meal with the family for lunch or dinner. And it has a phenomenal salad bar which…
Read More “Orland Park’s Texas de Brazil knocks it out of the park” »
Lightfoot targets gun violence in inauguration Mayor Lori Lightfoot is sworn into office on May 20, 2019, as Chicago’s first African American woman and first “openly Gay” mayor. Much of Lightfoot’s inauguration speech reflected many of the same principles that were reiterated 40 years ago when on April 16, 1979, Jane Byrne was inaugurated as…
Read More “Lightfoot targets gun violence in inauguration” »
The Mother of TV Shows Game of Thrones comes to an end A recap of Game of Thrones for the 290 million Americans who didn’t watch the eight season series on HBO, putting into modernday context so the rest of the world might understand what’s going on. A spoiler summary for those who haven’t watched…
Read More “The Mother of TV Shows Game of Thrones comes to an end” »
Applauding Game of Thrones for an exciting run Forget all of the whiners and complainers. HBO’s Game of Thrones series which is ending this week after nine years and eight seasons, has been fantastic and thrilling. There have been a few disappointments, like the rush to end the series in only six final episodes rather…
Read More “Applauding Game of Thrones for an exciting run” »