elections Archives

When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many

May 2, 2025May 2, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many There are two types of referendums — binding and advisory. The government is legally required to act on binding referendum results. Advisory referendums aren’t legally binding and are often used to measure public opinion before making a governmental decision. That…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, elections, Government, Maria Pappas, News, Opinion, Taxes

Pekau builds re-election campaign on anti-Muslim bias

March 25, 2024March 25, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pekau builds re-election campaign on anti-Muslim bias By Ray Hanania (Originally published in the Southwest News Newspaper Group newpapers): True to his colors, Orland Park’s beleaguered Mayor Keith Pekau is turning to racism and community division to base his re-election campaign. In a recent letter to “supporters,” Pekau launched his campaign using the racist slogan,…

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

Seniors being abandoned by extremist politics on both sides

April 6, 2023April 6, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Seniors being abandoned by extremist politics on both sides By Ray Hanania Buried in a lot of the news over the past few weeks was the announcement that Social Security recipients will see a 20 percent cut in monthly payments by 2034, predicting the Social Security Trust Fund will “run out” by 2035. That’s only…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Taxes

Pekau’s attacks: A personal letter from Columnist Ray Hanania

April 4, 2023April 28, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Pekau’s attacks: A personal letter from Columnist Ray Hanania By Ray Hanania I have covered Chicagoland politics since 1975, when I was honorably discharged from active duty service in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. I served 12 years in the Illinois Air National Guard and believed strongly in military service. I followed…

Blogger, Commentary, elections, Fire, Opinion, Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park, Orland Township, Police, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Theater

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot must go

January 15, 2023February 3, 2023 Ray Hanania 2 Comments

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot must go Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has failed to achieve any of her campaign promises from four years. In fact, under her leadership, she has made Chicago worse, failing to crackdown on rampaging crime or speaking out against those who enable the criminals like Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx or…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, elections, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, women

Can anyone be honest in an election?

October 27, 2022October 27, 2022 Ray Hanania 3 Comments

Can anyone be honest in an election? This year’s elections are driven by lies from both political parties but in Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is the worst. Fake newspapers exaggerate the facts but those facts are founded in some truth that Pritzker is also working to disguise. Voters are so easily driven by single exaggerated…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, Media Bias, National, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

Democracy is dead in Illinois as one-party control grows

October 15, 2022October 18, 2022 William Lipinski 1 Comment

Democracy is dead in Illinois as one-party control grows By William O. Lipinski The midterm elections are just around the corner, so I thought it was time for me to say were I think things stand at the present. In Illinois, I can’t see where the republicans win a single statewide office. The Illinois Republican…

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Commentary, elections, Opinion, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Two Guys on Politics podcast adds Facebook and Twitter accounts

December 29, 2021December 29, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Two Guys on Politics podcast adds Facebook and Twitter accounts The Town Guys on Politics podcast, which features commentary from former Congressman Bill Lipinski and former Chicago City Hall reporter Ray Hanania now has a Facebook and Twitter account. Lipinski and Hanania co-host the podcast discussion each week on local, regional and national politics and…

Bill Lipinski, Chicago, Crime, Government, National, News, Opinion, Podcast, Police, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes

More endorsements for Nonato for Water Reclamation District

September 17, 2021September 17, 2021 News Editor No Comments

More endorsements for Nonato for Water Reclamation District Fundraiser set for September 26th in Park Ridge at 1 PM Cristina Nonato who is running for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is hosting a fundraiser on Sept. 26th at 1130 N. Northwest Highway in Parkridge. Tickets are $75 each with sponsorships available for $$500, 1,000 and…

Cook County, elections, News, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland

Candidates for local office speak at Arab American Democratic Club Candidate and Leadership forum

March 25, 2021March 25, 2021 Ray Hanania

Candidates for local office speak at Arab American Democratic Club Candidate and Leadership forum The Arab American Democratic Club hosted its 2021 Candidate and Leadership Forum on Thursday March 25 featuring a long slate of candidates for local elective office and elected government officials and speakers. The event was held to commemorate April Arab American…

Chicago, Cook County, elections, Events, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Podcast, Politics, Suburban Chicagoland, Village of Lyons

Candidates, Judges and community leaders address AADC online rally

October 26, 2020October 26, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Candidates, Judges and community leaders address AADC online rally Arab Americans encouraged to be fully engaged in the November 3, 2020 General Election and to make their voices heard by the candidates, local government officials, and the news media. The 3 hour online Zoom Annual Rally for Candidates hosted by the Arab American Democratic Club…

Cook County, elections, Government, News, Orland Park, Politics, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland

Chicago columnist to host “Special Election Coverage” on Arab radio in Detroit

October 5, 2020October 6, 2020 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Chicago columnist to host “Special Election Coverage” on Arab radio in Detroit Middle East’s leading English language newspaper The Arab News will launch a weekly radio show on Detroit’s US Arab Radio Network to explore issues in the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election. The show will be hosted by the newspaper’s US Special Correspondent Ray…

Chicago, elections, Features, Government, News, Political Pundit, Politics, Radio, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland

Difference between O’Grady and Pekau is night and day

November 13, 2019November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Difference between O’Grady and Pekau is night and day Opinion: A battle over whether or not Orland Park can close a once-a-week homeless shelter at a local church has pitted Orland Park’s Mayor Keith Pekau against Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady. Pekau is trying to prevent Hope Covenant Church from hosting the weekly homeless shelter…

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

Duckworth introduces law to crack down on illegal robocalls

May 2, 2019May 2, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Duckworth introduces law to crack down on illegal robocalls U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth Thursday (May 2, 2019) introduced legislation that would crackdown on illegal robocalls, which she said have increased by more than 57 percent over the past year. Duckworth is proposing a petition to help get the legislation passed and she is asking members…

Briefs, elections, Federal, Government, News, Politics

Former Chicago City Hall reporter hosts politics podcast

April 3, 2019April 3, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Former Chicago City Hall reporter hosts politics podcast Ray Hanania, a former Chicago City Hall reporter, and political columnist during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, has launched a new podcast available for free on most podcat systems. Called “Ray Hanania on Politics,” the podcast is recorded several times each week and addresses mainstream American politics…

Chicago, Features, General Topics, News, Podcast, Politics

Second slate enters race for Orland Park Trustees

December 14, 2018December 14, 2018 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

People Over Politics Party announces Orland Park trustee slate, led by activists Cindy Katsenes and local author Bill Healy

elections, Government, News, news release, Orland Park, Politics

Madigan was never the real issue in the last election

November 28, 2018November 29, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Madigan was never the real issue in the last election Republican leaders in Illinois were easily swept aside and out of office by Democrats in the November 6 General Elections mainly because too much effort was put into personal attacks including against Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Voters are far more intelligent than some…

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

Activists Vow to Continue Fight Against Illinois Voter Suppression

July 17, 2018 Ray Hanania No Comments

Activists Vow to Continue Fight Against Illinois Voter Suppression Governor’s Veto Yet Another Reminder: Elections Matter Attention is now focused on the November elections and future legislation to secure elections and fight voter suppression, after Governor Rauner’s veto of SB 2273. The bill would have modified existing law to stop Illinois from sharing voter data…

breaking news, elections, Government, News, Politics