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  • Chicago Wolves one win from Calder Cup Championship
    Chicago Wolves win over Springfield Thunderbirds puts them one away from Calder Cup championship Chicago
  • Morrison gets special attention at expense of taxpayers, column in the Regional News Newspaper June 23, 2022
    Sean Morrison gets special police protection at expense of other taxpayers Blogger
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Aguilar accuses opponent of faking endorsements Cook County
  • Chicago Wolves take Game 3 for 2nd win in the Calder Cup Finals 2022 over Springfield Thunderbirds.
    Chicago Wolves seize Calder Cup Finals lead over Springfield Thunderbirds Chicago
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     Sheriff Dart Launches New Community Resource Center Site  Cook County
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    Right from the Middle: Continuation of the beginning of the end Bill Lipinski
  • Convicted sex predator Anthony Martin, senior vice president at Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison's company Morrison Security. Photo courtesy of the Cook County Courts
    Sean Morrison drops the ball fighting for Cook County Republicans Blogger
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    Two Guys on Politics podcast analyzes both sides of the Jan. 6 Insurrection Baby Boomers
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    Chicago Wolves triumph over the Springfield Thunderbirds in second Calder Cup Finals game Chicago
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    Illinois Speaker Welch releases official Democratic Party endorsements Chicago
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    Springfield Thunderbirds take first game of Calder Cup Finals against Chicago Wolves Chicago
  • Clásico Capitalino match between Club América and Pumas at SeatGeek Stadium is Sold Ou
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  • Illinois State Fair 2022
    Comedian Trevor Noah Will Headline the Illinois State Fair Lottery Grandstand August 19th Comedy
  • State Rep Fran Hurley 35th district
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Tag: 2018

Four rescued in fire in Cicero late last night

Posted on December 5, 2018December 5, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Four rescued in fire in Cicero late last night
Four rescued in fire in Cicero late last night

Four rescued in fire in Cicero late last night Four residents including two children were rescued from a burning apartment building late on Tuesday night (Dec. 4, 2018) by the Town of Cicero Fire Department. A total of 18 people were displaced and assisted in finding emergency shelter. There were no injuries Cicero Firefighters extinguished…

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breaking news, Fire, News, Suburban Chicagoland

Preckwinkle supports Cook County’s Arab American community

Posted on October 26, 2018May 17, 2021 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Preckwinkle supports Cook County’s Arab American community
Preckwinkle supports Cook County’s Arab American community

Preckwinkle supports Cook County’s Arab American community Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has worked hard to be a friend of the Arab American community. Despite a few stumbles,  Preckwinkle has turned the page to realign support for Arab American rights. By Ray Hanania Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has worked hard to reverse…

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

High school senior says writing book will improve student grades

Posted on October 17, 2018October 17, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on High school senior says writing book will improve student grades
High school senior says writing book will improve student grades

High school senior says writing book will improve student grades Aaron Hanania will sign copies of his new book at an event on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at the Oak Lawn Library from 6 pm until 8 pm, and discuss how young students can become better students through disciplined writing and storytelling. A writing project…

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Books & Films, Entertainment, Features, General Topics, News, news release, Suburban Chicagoland

Erika Harold campaign launches new Digital Ad: “Grandma”

Posted on August 29, 2018August 29, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Erika Harold campaign launches new Digital Ad: “Grandma”
Erika Harold campaign launches new Digital Ad: “Grandma”

Erika Harold campaign launches new Digital Ad: “Grandma” Today is Erika’s grandma Louise’s 97th birthday; to celebrate, Harold campaign highlighting the values Louise taught Erika Today is Erika Harold’s grandma Louise’s 97th birthday. To celebrate, Erika’s campaign for Attorney General is launching a new digital ad titled “Grandma,” highlighting the values Louise taught Erika. Throughout…

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Editors Pick, elections, Government, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Kaegi Vows to Fix Broken Property Tax System

Posted on August 29, 2018September 28, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Kaegi Vows to Fix Broken Property Tax System
Kaegi Vows to Fix Broken Property Tax System

Kaegi Vows to Fix Broken Property Tax System Cook County assessor hopeful Fritz Kaegi, who bested incumbent Joseph Berrios in the Democratic primary, pledged to attendees of an Illinois Campaign for Political Reform event that the obscure yet critical office will be more transparent and accountable under his watch. “You don’t need me to tell…

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elections, Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Candlewick Lake & Links Festival June 10

Posted on June 1, 2018June 1, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Candlewick Lake & Links Festival June 10
Candlewick Lake & Links Festival June 10

Candlewick Lake & Links Festival June 10 Come Out for a Day of Fun with Your Family & Friends Sunday June 10. Open to the public. Candlewick is a gated community with a large beautiful lake. Non-residents normally require entrance through a resident. But during the Lake and Links Festival, the gates will be open…

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Entertainment, Events, Festival, News

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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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

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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Lipinski-Newman Congressional fight has nation’s attention

Posted on February 15, 2018November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Lipinski-Newman Congressional fight has nation’s attention
Lipinski-Newman Congressional fight has nation’s attention

Lipinski-Newman Congressional fight has nation’s attention Six term Congressman Dan Lipinski is no stranger to controversy. Appointed to succeed his father Bill, Dan Lipinski has faced criticism from Day One. He’s no media darling and his conservative Democratic beliefs often pit him against more liberal and “progressive” colleagues. This year’s election challenge from Marie Newman…

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Cook County GOP Chairman Endorses Bruce Rauner for Re-election

Posted on February 2, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Cook County GOP Chairman Endorses Bruce Rauner for Re-election
Cook County GOP Chairman Endorses Bruce Rauner for Re-election

Cook County GOP Chairman Endorses Bruce Rauner for Re-election Cook County Republican Party Chairman Sean M. Morrison announced his personal endorsement of Governor Bruce Rauner for re-election this morning. Citing Governor Rauner’s tireless efforts to rebuild the Republican Party in Illinois and fight one party rule in Springfield as the two central reasons for Chairman…

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Government, News, Politics

Less booze at SoxFest 2018 than at CubsFest

Posted on January 31, 2018November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Less booze at SoxFest 2018 than at CubsFest

Less booze at SoxFest 2018 than at CubsFest We skipped the CubsFest this year because the Cubs went from Lovable Losers to difficult to speak with World Series ego maniacs. I hope they keep winning, cuz maybe they’ll start to get back to their lovable selves one day. In the meantime, we decided to go…

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