Ray Hanania
30 years isn’t too late to start
(This column was first published in The Regional News on Nov. 12, 2014.)
By Ray Hanania
It took 30 years, but I finally made it to the Regional News.
I’ve covered Chicagoland since 1975, but it was in 1985 when I ended my eight years at the Daily Southtown and almost started work at the Regional News.
I left the Southtown to become lead columnist for the Joliet Herald. I also spoke with Charles Richards about writing a column for the Regional, with Joliet Herald approval.
The Richards were excited and laid-out a front page announcing I had been hired. I worked closely with Virginia Richards to bring my column, “The Grapevine,” to a larger Chicagoland audience. But the best laid plans, as they say, went awry.
The City Council gave me an enthusiastic farewell, introduced by Chicago Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th Ward). A brilliant orator, Burke poked fun at me for getting under the skin of every mayor including Mike Bilandic, Jane Byrne and Harold Washington. Washington chided me, too
The meeting was the first for new Alderman Dorothy Tillman, a public housing activist. Tillman refused to remove her traditional large brimmed hat during the meeting causing a fight which made news. During the battle, Tillman gave me a rose from a dozen she received from supporters and my friend and mentor at the Chicago Sun-Times, Harry Golden Jr., mentioned it in his story.
That story and event prompted Chicago Sun-Times Editor Ken Towers to urge me to head up the newspaper’s new Page Ten column as the political writer. How could I refuse a salary that was double what the Herald and Regional News offered together at the time?
The Richards were gracious and understanding. Being a political writer for the Chicago Sun-Times was, back then, a big deal.
The Regional News is one of the best community newspapers serving the Southwest Suburbs. I am proud to bring my writing talent (four Lisagor Awards, one Sigma Delta Chi award, and other national awards), as well as my controversy (as editor Jeff Vorva so graciously noted last week).
Journalism ink is in my blood. After leaving the Sun-Times, I launched the Villager Newspapers in 1993. In 2004, I started writing for the Southwest News-Herald and recently for the Desplaines Valley News.
Here’s a salute to the Richards dynasty, and to all the community publishers I knew, including Bruce Sagan at the Southtown, Walter Lysen at the Messenger Press, Ed Vondrak at the Southwest News-Herald, too, and now, Mark Hornung.
I promise to continue fighting to give Chicagoland’s Southwest region the recognition it deserves.
THE GRAPEVINE: The fact that Congressman Bobby Rush doesn’t care about the west end of his district is a disgrace, which explains why he lost the suburban vote to his challenger Jimmy Lee Tillman, who deserved to win … Bruce Rauner’s victory over Gov. Pat Quinn, thanks to the swing votes of Reagan Democrats in the suburbs, sets up a certain battle in 2018 that will probably see Lisa Madigan finally step up to the plate … The big push in the Spring will be to oust Mayor Rahm Emanuel and replace him with someone who appreciates, not offends, Chicago’s diversity. Rumors abound that Liz Gorman will be given a Cabinet post in the Rauner Government for her support … So fun to watch the mainstream news media which shamefully slammed Rauner before the election now climbing over itself to curry his favor … Pause to thank our Veterans this week for their service to America.
(Ray Hanania is an award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter and columnist. Reach him at rghanania@gmail.com.)
Local News
Foxx and YouTube face Pekau’s wrath
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The Cook County State’s Attorney and YouTube have Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau hot under the collar. Pekau continues to be upset with Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx about felons who are free who are coming into his community with illegal weapons. And he is none too happy with…
Palos Park to allow Cog Hill to apply for video gaming
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva At 8:25 p.m. Monday night the long-awaited decision was made on video gaming in Palos Park. After months of conversation and listening to businesses and the public, the village council voted 3-1 to allow the only Class G liquor license business in town – Cog Hill Golf and Country Club…
Pritzker, Ezike address plan to lift mask mandate
Spread the loveSchool mandates would remain in place for ‘coming weeks,’ pending court decision By Jerry Nowicki Capitol News Illinois and Tim Hadac If COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to decline for the rest of the month, Gov. JB Pritzker plans to lift his executive order that mandates face coverings indoors by Feb. 28. The plan does…
Eagle healed, released to mate
Spread the loveRescuers thrilled with victory By Kelly White Wildlife advocates last week released an eagle in the forest preserves several blocks northwest of Garfield Ridge. The eagle was the subject of a story last month in the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound. The release marked the end of a six-week rehabilitation stint that started when…
Ease off vax regs, aldermen ask
Spread the loveQuinn, Burke, Tabares say regs ‘cripple’ businesses By Tim Hadac With numbers of newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases falling across the city, the three aldermen serving Clearing and Garfield Ridge are among 11 City Council members who last week called on Chicago Department of Public Health Allison Arwady, M.D. to rescind a pandemic regulation…
Del Galdo named Super Lawyer for 12th straight year
Spread the loveLauded by suburban mayors for skills From staff reports A national legal magazine is out with its 2022 list of best Illinois lawyers and tapped eight Chicago-area attorneys as the state’s “super” local government lawyers–including Berwyn-based attorney Michael Del Galdo, a recognition that drew praise from several suburban Cook County mayors. “Super Lawyers” magazine,…
They had my back when I was stuck
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com We’ve dug out from snowmagedon, and I want to personally thank the three people on 61st Street who came to my rescue when I got stuck in the snow. I was nervous and I was making all the mistakes a…
Summit wants to hear from residents
Spread the loveThe Village of Summit is looking to get input from its residents on a variety of issues. Summit, in partnership with Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and the Illinois Housing Development Authority, is undertaking a Community Needs Assessment survey as a part of the Homes for a Changing Region…
Lyons Township to co-sponsor St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Countryside
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The annual Countryside St. Patrick’s Day Parade is getting a boost from the Township of Lyons. The township board unanimously approved a $1,000 sponsorship for the city’s popular event. “We have traditionally sponsored this event,” Township Supervisor Christopher Getty said at the board’s Feb. 8 meeting. “Although we have not…
Lyons man ‘accomplished something’ with Kilimanjaro climb
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Stephan Alheim of Lyons learned a lot about himself while making the 19,341-foot climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He learned preparation is important, especially when it comes to breathing properly. He also learned to have faith in the climbing guides. And he learned to always bring…
Neighbors
Rashid calls college demonstrators ‘student heroes’
Spread the love. Rips Israel over “apartheid’ and ‘genocide’ . From staff reports The crisis in Palestine is taking a terrifying turn as the Israeli military is preparing to invade Rafah where more than one million Palestinians have been forced to after their homes in northern Gaza were destroyed, State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-21st) said…
Titanic memories haunt Worth Library
Spread the loveBy Kelly White This year marks the 112th anniversary of the Titanic’s fateful ship crossing. Bringing the ship back to life was the Worth Public Library on April 15 with a program called, The Haunted Titanic, with local historian Bob Trzeciak, who walked patrons through the history, the lasting impact, and why it…
Spring cleanup day in Bridgeview set for Saturday
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Any Bridgeview resident with clutter to clear will be busy Friday night, May 10. That’s when they will be putting all kinds of things on the parkway as the village prepares for its annual spring cleanup day set for Saturday, May 11. All items must be at the curb by…
Family of man killed in McCook struggling with his absence
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch On what would have been his 37th birthday, the family of Morales Ricardo Lopez gathered at his grave in Evergreen Park Cemetery. Lopez, of Blue Island, was gunned down in McCook early Feb. 17, leaving behind a widow and three children. His family, other relatives and friends gathered at his…
Southwest Symphony presents ‘American Song Book’
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Southwest Symphony Orchestra will perform “The American Song Book” this weekend at Trinity College in Palos Heights. The performance will feature Grammy nominated Helen Welch under the direction of David Crane at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Auditorium. Welch will perform some of America’s best loved classics.…
Shoppers welcome back Evergreen Park Farmers Market
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Rain was forecast for the morning of May 2, but nothing could dampen the spirits of customers who dropped by the Evergreen Park Farmers Market. The large crowd that attended were instead greeted with mostly sunny skies. Beth Novotney, director of the Evergreen Park Office of Citizen Services that oversees…
Evergreen Park recognizes police for valor
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle The Evergreen Park police have been cited for valor after several key arrests that occurred the past couple of months. Police Chief Michael Saunders requested commendations for the officers during the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting Monday night. Mayor Kelly Burke and the board applauded the efforts of the force.…
Hickory Hills police bid adieu and say welcome
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam The Hickory Hills Police Department bid a fond farewell to Lieutenant Glenn Tienstra and welcomed new Officer Daniel Balzhiser. On a memorable Thursday evening, April 25, city hall was filled with the warmth of community family, friends, officers, and council members, all gathered to joyfully celebrate Officer Balzhiser and respectfully…
Mother Mac unveils new lights and scoreboard
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Across the nation, women’s sports are on the rise in terms of viewership, enthusiasm, sponsorship and excitement. Mother McAuley is no stranger to the impact that women’s athletics has on the development of an individual, strengthening of a team and key skills and attributes developed along the way. South Side…
Cicadas in the park in Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Cicadas are coming and the Village of Palos Park is ready. The village hosted its 31st annual Arbor Day Celebration on Sunday, May 5, themed, “The Wonder of Trees” at The Center in the Lodge, 12700 Southwest Highway, with featured speaker, Tricia Bethke of The Morton Arboretum who presented, “Cicadas…