Category: Suburban Chicagoland

The Maine massacre & gun control, & the election of Rep. Johnson as House Speaker

October 29, 2023October 29, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Maine massacre & gun control, & the election of Rep. Johnson as House Speaker Former Congressman Bill Lipinski and columnist Ray Hanania discuss the massacre of 18 people by a gunman in Maine this past week and the politicization of “gun control” and the failure to impose harsh penalties for killers of all sorts….

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Commentary, Crime, Government, Opinion, Podcast, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Videos

Issues and controversies that I just can’t seem to ignore

October 28, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Issues and controversies that I just can’t seem to ignore Award winning columnist Ray Hanania writes about migrants and illegal aliens, the failed policies of President Biden, handicapped parking violators, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau one of the region’s worst elected officials next only to Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, and the killing of civilians…

Blogger, Commentary, immigrant, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Qualifying disabled veterans are fully exempt from paying property taxes

October 28, 2023October 28, 2023 News Editor No Comments

Qualifying disabled veterans are fully exempt from paying property taxes By Maria Pappas Veterans deserve our thanks, especially those whose abilities were diminished as a result of active military service. Illinois law recognizes that. Qualifying veterans whose disabilities are certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for tax breaks. Veterans classified as…

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

Keep Halloween Spooky and Fire Free

October 23, 2023October 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Keep Halloween Spooky and Fire Free Decorations were the first thing to ignite in roughly 800 reported home fires each year Halloween is a fun, spooky and exciting time for kids and adults as they scour for that perfect costume and people add spooky decorations to their homes. If you don’t keep fire safety in…

Culture, Events, News, Police, Suburban Chicagoland

No one injured in structure fire at 135th an Harlem, Al-Hayba Hookah Lounge

October 21, 2023October 24, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

No one injured in structure fire at 135th an Harlem, Al-Hayba Hookah Lounge At 5:06 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, companies of the Orland Fire Protection District and Palos Heights Fire District dispatched in response to a possible structure fire at the Al-Hayba Hookah Lounge, 13500 S Harlem Ave (formerly the Ale House) on…

Cook County, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Photos, Suburban Chicagoland

The Importance of Checking Your Furnace, Winter is Coming!

October 21, 2023October 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Importance of Checking Your Furnace, Winter is Coming! The weather might be crisp and lovely right now, but Chicago’s fierce winter winds and snow are on their way. Before it gets colder, take this time to check your furnace and any other appliances that may have been damaged in the June 29 – July…

Cook County, Flooding, Government, Health, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland

Pappas: Second Installment 2022 tax bills are now online, two weeks before they are mailed

October 21, 2023October 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas: Second Installment 2022 tax bills are now online, two weeks before they are mailed Cook County property owners who don’t want to wait until their property tax bills arrive in the mail may now view, download and pay their Second Installment bill for the 2022 Tax Year online at cookcountytreasurer.com, Treasurer Maria Pappas announced…

Cook County, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Grasso responds to Pekau’s pathological lies and abuse of his village office

October 20, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Grasso responds to Pekau’s pathological lies and abuse of his village office Real Republican Gary Grasso responds to Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau’s vicious political lies and mischaracterizations. Pekau made his political attacks in his taxpayer funded position as Mayor of Orland Park, something Pekau does quite often. By Ray Hanania Orland Park Mayor Keith…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Pappas: Property tax bills will soon be due. Are you getting all your exemptions?

October 15, 2023October 24, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas: Property tax bills will soon be due. Are you getting all your exemptions? Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas If you own a home or other real estate in Cook County, chances are you will have a property tax bill due soon. Property taxes in Illinois are billed…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Fire damages Sandbox Preschool building in Orland Park prior to re-opening: no one injured

October 6, 2023October 6, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Fire damages Sandbox Preschool building in Orland Park prior to re-opening: no one injured At approximately 8 AM on Friday, October 6th, the Orland Fire District responded to a report of smoke coming out of an upstairs window and water flowing down the wall of a commercial structure in the 14300 block of 82nd Ave…

Fire, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland

Anthony Rubino’s Office to Receive $1,075,000.00 In Grant Funds From State of Illinois

October 4, 2023October 4, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Anthony Rubino’s Office to Receive $1,075,000.00 In Grant Funds From State of Illinois Highway Department to Receive Grant Funds from State of Illinois Orland Park, IL – The Highway Department of Orland Township is slated to receive $1,075,000.00 in grant funds from the State of Illinois. These grants are for infrastructure and capital improvements. The…

Illinois Legislature, News, Orland Park, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland, Tinley Park

Kaegi’s policies impact the middle class and those in serious need

October 3, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Kaegi’s policies impact the middle class and those in serious need By Ray Hanania Last week, I wrote about how Fritz Kaegi artificially increased assessments on properties across Cook County in order to protect business property owners who are big donors with political clout. Kaegi knows voters have no lobbyists and are easily forgotten in…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Citizen champion Alderman Raymond Lopez announces his candidacy for U.S. Congress in 4th District

October 3, 2023October 3, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Citizen champion Alderman Raymond Lopez announces his candidacy for U.S. Congress in 4th District By Ray Hanania Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez, who has been one of the most vocal champions of citizen rights in Chicago and the region, announced Tuesday that he will be running as a Democratic candidate in the March 19, 2024 Democratic…

Chicago, Civil Rights, elections, Federal, News, NewsWire, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Pappas helps phone bank caller receive whopping $11,870 property tax refund

September 30, 2023September 30, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas helps phone bank caller receive whopping $11,870 property tax refund By Maria Pappas “Your Property Taxes” column with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Helping taxpayers obtain refunds for property tax overpayments is one of the most rewarding parts of my job as Cook County Treasurer. My office recently helped a south suburban resident receive…

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

Fritz Kaegi’s artificial inflation of property assessments to protect businesses

September 27, 2023October 28, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Fritz Kaegi’s artificial inflation of property assessments to protect businesses By Ray Hanania Last year, a report was issued that showed that a major tax burden would slam commercial properties in Cook County. Cook County Asessor Fritz Kaegi reassessed properties in 2021 claiming it would ease the burden on homeowners. But in fact, it has…

Blogger, Business, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Illinois Legislature, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Car crashes into Orland Park post Office

September 22, 2023September 22, 2023 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Car crashes into Orland Park post Office At approximately 1:49 PM on Thursday, September 21st, 2023, The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) responded to a report that a car had crashed into the building at 9500 W. 144th Place, identified as the Orland Park Post Office. On arrival crews found a vehicle that had driven…

accident, Cook County, Fire, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Suburban Chicagoland

Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program

September 18, 2023September 18, 2023 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program State Senator Michael E. Hastings is urging all eligible residents to apply for the state’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help them pay high utility bills. Applications will be accepted starting Oct. 2 through Aug. 15, 2024. “Families should not be forced to choose…

Frankfort, Government, Illinois Legislature, Mokena, News, NewsWire, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland, Tinley Park

Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund

September 15, 2023September 15, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund Your Property Taxes with Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas By Maria Pappas Many Cook County homeowners are losing thousands of dollars in savings because they are not taking advantage of property tax breaks. My office recently helped an older couple on Chicago’s North Side receive…

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