Category: Suburban Chicagoland

“The Dinner Detective” is an audience-interactive phenomenal entertainment option

April 20, 2025April 20, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

“The Dinner Detective” is an audience-interactive phenomenal entertainment option If you are looking for entertainment that is unusual, fun, and immersive, The Dinner Detective is a perfect choice to enjoy. Dinner, a murder mystery, and audience involvement, it offers everything. Check it out at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lisle Naperville By Ray Hanania A…

Comedy, Crime, Entertainment, Features, News, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Theater

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

Getty Celebrates Successful Re-Election and Local Victory Sweep

April 9, 2025April 9, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Getty Celebrates Successful Re-Election and Local Victory Sweep Voters in the Village of Lyons and across Lyons Township sent a strong message of confidence and support on April 1st, re-electing Mayor Chris Getty and many other public officials in a sweeping election victory. Mayor Getty, who also serves as Lyons Township Supervisor, expressed his gratitude…

elections, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Village of Lyons

Vehicles crash in Orland Park and one careens into a nearby home Friday April 4, 2025

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

Vehicles crash in Orland Park and one careens into a nearby home Friday April 4, 2025 Two vehicles crashed at 151st and just east of 80th Avenue in Orland Park (at Meadow Lane), about a half block east of 80th Avenue and near the Orland Fire Protection District Station #2, on Friday morning April 4,…

accident, Fire, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Releases, Suburban Chicagoland

Rashid, Porfirio host Town Hall Meeting April 19, 2025

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

Rashid, Porfirio host Town Hall Meeting April 19, 2025 Join State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid and State Senator Mike Porfirio to discuss legislative updates, the impact of federal changes on Illinois, and the continued efforts to fight for working families. The Town Hall meeting will be held on April, 19 2025 beginning at 12 NOON. It…

Events, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Veterans

Record Number of Property Tax Appeals Filed for 2024 Tax Year

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

Record Number of Property Tax Appeals Filed for 2024 Tax Year The Cook County Board of Review (CCBOR) has received a record number of property tax appeals, involving a nearly 41% increase in the total of Property Index Numbers (PINs) compared to the 2023 tax year. Appeals filed for tax year 2024 increased by 11%…

Cook County, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Frankfort hosts community cleanup in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day, April 26, 2025

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

Frankfort hosts community cleanup in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day, April 26, 2025 In celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day, the Village of Frankfort is inviting residents, businesses, and organizations to take part in a community-wide cleanup event on April 26, 2025, to help spruce up neighborhoods, parks, roadways, and the Old…

Events, Frankfort, News, Suburban Chicagoland

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

Illinois officials offer best wishes to Muslim community at end of Ramadan

March 30, 2025March 30, 2025 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Illinois officials offer best wishes to Muslim community at end of Ramadan By Ray Hanania Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, and several officials including from Cook County, the State of Illinois and from officials of the Orland Fire Protection District offered their best wishes to the Muslim American community as they prepared…

Culture, Editors Pick, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

MWRD Vice President Theresa Flynn Honors Duggan Sisters at Women’s History Month Celebration

March 28, 2025March 28, 2025 News Editor No Comments

MWRD Vice President Theresa Flynn Honors Duggan Sisters at Women’s History Month Celebration MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn with The Duggan Sisters (Mary, Annie, and Clare) The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) celebrated Women’s History Month with a special event on March 27 recognizing women making strides in public safety, cybersecurity,…

Events, Government, Health, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, women

Pappas Urges Citizens to Vote on April 1 as Study Reveals Racial and Income Disparities in Referendum Turnout

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

Pappas Urges Citizens to Vote on April 1 as Study Reveals Racial and Income Disparities in Referendum Turnout In a first-of-its-kind analysis, the Cook County Treasurer’s Office found much higher property tax referendum turnout in wealthier, predominantly white communities where nearly all people own their homes than in areas with mostly minority populations, lower incomes,…

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

Mayor Christopher Getty Welcomes Buddy Bear Car Wash to Lyons

March 27, 2025March 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor Christopher Getty Welcomes Buddy Bear Car Wash to Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty joined business owner Phil DeGeratto and local officials on Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of Buddy Bear Car Wash’s 17th location at 8136 Ogden Avenue in Lyons. The new facility, spanning three acres, represents a multimillion-dollar investment in the community. The…

Business, Events, Government, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Village of Lyons

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

Former Homer Glen trustee Pazmino says village board needs independent voice

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

Former Homer Glen trustee Pazmino says village board needs independent voice Former trustee and restaurant owner Ruben Pazmino hopes to continue to push his ideas to help taxpayers in Homer Glen as an independent voice in the April 1 election. Homer Glen gets very little attention from the media and its issues and needs are…

elections, Homer Glen, News, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Will County

Independent candidates launch social media and website for Orland Fire race

March 8, 2025March 8, 2025 Press ReleaseChicago No Comments

Independent candidates launch social media and website for Orland Fire race The independent candidates seeking re-election and election to the Orland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees in the April 1, 2025 General election have launched their website and Facebook page to inform voters about their experience, platform and news. The candidates are Donald “DJ”…

Fire, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Investigation leads to aggravated vehicular hijacking arrest

March 7, 2025March 7, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Investigation leads to aggravated vehicular hijacking arrest A Country Club Hills man on Tuesday (March 4, 2025) was charged with felony aggravated vehicular hijacking stemming from an incident that occurred in September in Tinley Park. Police said Jamal Britton, 33, approached a 27-year-old man as he was leaving work Sept. 11 in the 18700 block…

Crime, Law, News, NewsWire, Police, Suburban Chicagoland, Tinley Park