Tag: Illinois

Illinois Legislature adopts bill to name April Arab Heritage Month

January 10, 2019January 10, 2019 rayhanania No Comments

Illinois Legislature adopts bill to name April Arab Heritage Month Illinois Legislature passes law to designate April as Arab American Heritage Month. The bill was introduced by Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, and co-sponsored by State Senator Steve Landek and Representative Mike Zalewski. The bill restores respect for Illinois’ Arab American community which was…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, immigrants, Israel, mainstream, News, Ray Hanania, US Arab Politics

Standing up against racist laws that restrict free speech

November 25, 2018November 25, 2018 rayhanania No Comments

Standing up against racist laws that restrict free speech By Ray Hanania #BDS #BoycottLaws #IsraeliApartheid Letter I wrote to Illinois Representative David Harris of Arlington Heights (Republican) who introduced a bill last year to expand the existing anti-BDS law that prohibits Americans from criticizing a specific foreign country, Israel. I criticize Israel’s government and will…

American Arabs, Arab World, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Commentary, Israel, mainstream, Opinion, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, The Arab Street, US Arab Politics

Longtime Lebanese American activist Jackie Haddad passes

October 28, 2018October 28, 2018 rayhanania No Comments

Longtime Lebanese American activist Jackie Haddad passes Jackie Haddad worked behind-the-scenes on behalf of the influential Lebanese and Arab American communities to raise funds for the needy, helped to lead and organize the annual conferences of the Midwest Federation of American Syrian & Lebanese Clubs, and was active in her local community in Elmhurst where…

American Arabs, Arab American History, Christian & Muslim, Editors Picks, Features, Lebanon, News, Obits, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, The Arab Street

Illinois legislator introduces law to recognize Arab Heritage month in April

October 23, 2018March 30, 2022 rayhanania 1 Comment

Illinois legislator introduces law to recognize Arab Heritage month in April Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan announced he has introduced a law to recognize April as Arab Heritage Month in Illinois. If approved, the law would add Illinois to the seven other U.S. States that now recognize April as a national commemoration month for…

American Arabs, Civil Rights, Election, Features, mainstream, News, Politics, racism, Ray Hanania, The Arab Street, US Arab Politics

Pritzker interview with Arab American newspapers

October 11, 2018August 7, 2022 rayhanania No Comments

Pritzker interview with Arab American newspapers Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker sat down with The Future News Newspaper (Al Mustaqbal) which is the largest Arabic and English bi-lingual newspaper in Illinois to discuss issues he hopes to address if he wins the Nov. 6, 2018 election for governor. Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker sat down…

American Arabs, Editors Picks, Features, mainstream, News, Politics, US Arab Politics

Federal Court in Arizona blocks anti-BDS law targeting Israel critics

September 29, 2018September 29, 2018 rayhanania No Comments

Federal Court in Arizona blocks anti-BDS law targeting Israel critics U.S. Federal District Court Judge Diane J. Humetewa Friday suspended an Arizona State law that has been spreading across America like a cancer that singles out critics of Israel for special punishment. The Law targets anyone who “boycotts” Israel for any reason denying them the ability…

American Arabs, Civil Rights, Editors Picks, Israel, mainstream, News, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Ray Hanania, US Arab Politics

Arab American Forum Oct 21 to showcase Illinois Speaker Madigan, Clerk candidate Yarbrough

August 30, 2018March 30, 2022 rayhanania No Comments

Arab American Forum Oct 21 to showcase Illinois Speaker Madigan, Clerk candidate Yarbrough The Arab American Democratic Club (AADC) announced this week that Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and Karen Yarbrough, the current Cook County Recorder of Deeds and now the official Democratic candidate for Cook County Clerk, will be keynote speakers at the…

American Arabs, Editors Picks, Election, mainstream, News, Politics, US Arab Politics

Illinois congressional race attracts Arab American vote

March 14, 2018March 14, 2018 rayhanania No Comments

Illinois congressional race attracts Arab American vote Contentious election to represent the 3rd Congressional District in Illinois has energized Arab American voters. But can it trigger an “Arab American Spring?” The race between 7-term congressman Dan Lipinski and newcomer Marie Newman pits traditional conservative Democrats against liberal Democrats in the March 20, 2018 primary election….

Activism, American Arabs, Arab News, Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, mainstream, Opinion, Politics, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, US Arab Politics

Obit: Illinois legislator George Shadid, 1929 – 2018

February 4, 2018February 4, 2018 rayhanania No Comments

Obit: Illinois legislator George Shadid, 1929 – 2018 Lebanese American legislator based in Peoria, Illinois dies, February 3, 2018. George P. Shadid ( born on May 15, 1929) died on Saturday February 3, 2018 according to friends and family. Shadid, 88, was a pioneer in American and Illinois politics, the inspiration of the growing and…

American Arabs, Arab American History, Election, Lebanon, mainstream, News, Obits, Politics, US Arab Politics

American Arabs endorse Kennedy for Governor

September 14, 2017September 14, 2017 rayhanania 1 Comment

American Arabs endorse Kennedy for Governor Chris Kennedy is leading as the candidate of choice for American Arabs and Muslims in Illinois. Kennedy has shown a sensitivity to issues facing American Arabs among which is access and engagement in state government. Under incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner, American Arabs have been marginalized and targeted with punitive…

American Arabs, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Commentary, Editors Picks, mainstream, News, Opinion, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Ray Hanania, US Arab Politics

American Arab named to Cook County Illinois judicial post

August 10, 2017August 10, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

American Arab named to Cook County Illinois judicial post Samuel J. Betar III appointed to Cook County 13th Subcircuit vacancy to fill position held by Circuit Judge Ann O’Donnell. The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Associate Judge Samuel J. Betar, III, to a 13th Subcircuit vacancy that will be created by the upcoming retirement of…

American Arabs, mainstream, News

Why is my TV clogged with election Ads?

May 12, 2017May 12, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

Why is my TV clogged with election Ads? Nauseating political commercials have already started to clog our Spring season television viewing, and it has a lot to do with the fact that the three candidates for governor in Illinois are among the richest people around. Republican Bruce Rauner, one of the most incompetent governor’s Illinois has…

Commentary, mainstream, Opinion, Politics, Ray Hanania, Television

Illinois men charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS

April 13, 2017April 13, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

Illinois men charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS Joseph D. Jones, also known as “Yusuf Abdulhaqq,” 35, and Edward Schimenti, also known as “Abdul Wali,” 35, both of Zion, Illinois, were arrested today on a federal complaint charging them with conspiring and attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic…

American Arabs, Middle East, News, Press Releases, Terrorism

American Arabs deserve respect

March 28, 2017June 12, 2019 rayhanania No Comments

American Arabs deserve respect American Arabs are finding their voice in this country, engaging in business, community service and in elective office and public service. Today’s atmosphere of American Arabs running for public office is in full swing from the days years ago when politicians did everything they could to exclude Arabs from government, from services…

American Arabs, Bloggers, Commentary, Election, mainstream, Politics, Ray Hanania, US Arab Politics

Bridgeview Muslim group holds blood drive for needy

March 24, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

Bridgeview Muslim group holds blood drive for needy Chicago Muslim Community Gathering to Donate Blood During World-Wide Day of Giving March 31 at Aqsa School in Bridgeview, 7361 W. 92nd St MARCH 22, 2017—CHICAGO—A Chicago non-profit that’s in the business of rallying those in the Muslim community to help make the world a better place is hoping…

American Arabs, Press Releases

Kennedy promises to bring diversity to Illinois government

March 23, 2017June 12, 2019 rayhanania No Comments

Kennedy promises to bring diversity to Illinois government Christopher Kennedy, the son of slain former New York Senator and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, told an overcrowded gathering of American Arabs outside of Chicago that he would defend the rights of immigrants and fight to bring diversity back to Illinois government when elected governor of the…

American Arabs, Bloggers, Commentary, Editors Picks, News, Politics, Ray Hanania, US Arab Politics

Arabs prepare to celebrate Heritage in Illinois

October 28, 2016June 12, 2019 rayhanania No Comments

Arabs prepare to celebrate Heritage in Illinois Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley declared November Arab American Heritage Month in 1991, kicking off an annual commemoration of the contributions made by American Arabs to this country, the state of Illinois and to the City of Chicago. Mayor Rahm Emanuel killed the event but American Arab leaders are…

American Arabs, Bloggers, Commentary, Editors Picks, Israel, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Ray Hanania, religion

University of Illinois at Chicago endorses BDS

February 17, 2016April 13, 2019 rayhanania 1 Comment

University of Illinois at Chicago Student Government votes unanimously to divest from Israeli occupation The Undergraduate Student Government Assembly of the University of Illinois at Chicago voted unanimously on Monday (February 15th, 2016) to pass a resolution urging the university to divest from corporations profiting off of the Israeli occupation and other human rights violations….

American Arabs, Editors Picks, Israel, News, Palestine & Jordan, Ray Hanania