
Ray Hanania
Lightfoot’s giveaway is a reprehensible stunt
By Ray Hanania
Prices have been skyrocketing at every level and on every item in a large part because of the heavy toll the pandemic has had on businesses and workers.
The Russian invasion and accelerated war crimes in Ukraine have aggravated the economic impact on everyday citizens.
That’s what inspired Dr. Willie Wilson last month to decide he would take a part of his wealth and do something to ease the burden on the economically oppressed citizens. So, he announced a gasoline giveaway.

Ray Hanania
The first giveaway was so popular, he upped it to $1 million and paid for the gasoline for motorists who lined up at several dozen gas stations, not just in Chicago but throughout Cook County for a second wave of gasoline assistance.
Wilson didn’t just come up with the idea because he is running for mayor of Chicago. He has been donating money, food and PPE to safeguard and help residents who have been severely affected by the pandemic.
The money he donated was hard-earned money taken out of his own pocket.
Contrast that to the unimaginative and controversy-plagued mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot. After Lightfoot saw how popular Wilson’s gasoline giveaway was, she announced she was going to top his $1 million and giveaway $12.5 million in prepaid gas and public transit cards.
Lightfoot’s giveaway is not for everyone suffering because of the economic hardships, like what Wilson did, but just for the people in Chicago.
The difference between what Wilson did and what Lightfoot is doing is so transparent and selfish.
Wilson did it out of the goodness of his heart.
Lightfoot is doing it purely for votes, to bolster her sagging image as a failed mayor. Lightfoot can’t do a thing about the rising crime that has worsened under her leadership. She can’t stop herself from insulting segments of the city’s constituents by pandering to some minority interests while ignoring others.
Remember when she said she would only grant interviews to non-white journalists? Can you imagine how that would have gone over if a white mayor had announced they were only doing interviews with white journalists?
But that’s not the worst part of what Lightfoot is doing. Wilson dug deep into his own personal wealth and used money that was his.
Not Lightfoot, who instead is using taxpayer money to ease the economic burden to give her parallel credit to offset Wilson’s popularity. Lightfoot is envious of Wilson. She has a poor record to run on.
What Wilson did was a genuine expression of concern for the challenges facing residents. What Lightfoot is doing is purely political, and, in my opinion, utterly honestly reprehensible.
Instead of doing what’s right, Mayor Lightfoot continues to dig herself into a self-made shameful political hole.
THE POLITICAL GRAPEVINE: I am happy to announce I am re-launching my live weekly English-language political talk-radio show focused on Arab American issues. It’s the only Arab American radio show in the country partnered with the popular U.S. Arab Radio Network based in Dearborn, Mich. The radio show will be broadcast on Wednesdays through four radio stations: 4 p.m. on WNZK AM 690 in Detroit, WDMV AM 750 in Washington, D.C., and WTOR AM 770 in New York, including Ontario, Canada. It will be rebroadcast on WNWI AM 1080 out of Oak Lawn at noon Thursday. This is Arab American Heritage Month and Arab Americans deserve the same voice and equal status as every ethnic and national group in this country. I hope you listen.
Liz Gorman received the largest single campaign donation of $100,000 from a supporter in any race outside of the statewide race for governor, in her bid to return to the 17th Cook County District. Gorman wants to restore the fight for taxpayer rights that was abandoned by her successor four years ago, the beleaguered Sean Morrison … Property tax bills are going to be six months late in Cook County this year, coming out probably sometime in September. Getting the blame is Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, who is being challenged for re-election by Kari Steele, currently a member of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. The election is on June 28, and Kaegi doesn’t want taxpayers to see how your property taxes have skyrocketed this year and undermine his fight to stay in office against Steele, a tough challenger.
In the weekly “Two Guys on Politics” podcast, which is available on iTunes, former Congressman Bill Lipinski and I discuss Ukraine’s strength pushing Russia’s war crimes forces back, and problems facing the Republican and the Democratic parties nationally. We also get insight from producer Brian Broeking, who explains Bitcoin and crypto currencies.
Check out Ray Hanania’s columns and political podcasts at hanania.com.
Local News

Orland Park police station to be named after former chief Tim McCarthy
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Sometime in the near future, Tim McCarthy will be driving by or visiting his old home at the Orland Park police station and he will notice something new. His name. The Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees voted to name the station the Tim McCarthy Police Headquarters at its…

23 EPCHS students achieve perfect attendance
Spread the loveTwenty-three Evergreen Park Community High School students were recognized by Principal Bill Sanderson at a breakfast in the school cafeteria on May 19 for having achieved perfect attendance for the 2022-2023 school year. Perfect attendance is truly an accomplishment, and we commend the following students and their parents for their focus on coming…

Chicago man charged in Palos Heights motor vehicle thefts
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Chicago man was charged last week with possession of stolen motor vehicles after Oak Lawn police found him allegedly driving a van stolen in Palos Heights. Police said they responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of Good Shepherd Church at 7800 McCarthy Road…

Palos 118 foundation donates $30,000 for new classroom displays
Spread the loveThe Palos 118 Educational Foundation recently made a $30,000 donation to Palos School District 118 for classroom equipment upgrades. The donation will be used for the purchase and installation of new 70-inch interactive displays in all of the district’s third-grade elementary classrooms. “Our hope is that the new displays can be delivered and…

Family-run Bobalicious pops up on Harlem with community focus
Spread the loveBy Isabella Schreck Families can bond and kids can have fun at Bobalicious in Palos Heights, according to co-owner Gustavo Godinez. The cafe, which opened in late November at 12250 S. Harlem Ave., offers dozens of teas, smoothie and other drink combinations. It sells boba toppings and features free popcorn, cotton candy, foosball,…

Moraine Valley to host summer Movie in the Moonlight series
Spread the loveMoraine Valley Community College is hosting its popular Movie in the Moonlight series this summer. The college will show three movies on a 16-foot inflatable screen at the Gateway, between Buildings F and M, on campus, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills. Admission is free. The first movie is the Oscar-nominated “Puss in…

Shepard JROTC closes year with awards ceremony
Spread the loveThe U.S. Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Shepard High School concluded its academic year recently with an awards ceremony honoring cadets who distinguished themselves. Many national organizations presented awards to students for scholastic excellence, JROTC leadership and involvement, conduct, and military bearing. Students named the top cadets in their…

Worth passes parking restrictions for better safety
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle A series of parking regulations have been established in Worth in an effort to provide improved public safety within sections of the village. Trustee Brad Urban, who is the head of the public works committee, mentioned that an ordinance was being considered to eliminate parking on the south side of…

Contruction headaches starting, splash pad coming to Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Road construction time is in full swing and already residents of Palos Heights are experiencing some headaches. At a brief June 6 city council meeting that had four of eight aldermen absent, Alderman Jack Clifford said that an Oak Park Avenue construction project had started and is inconveniencing residents along…
Neighbors

Orland Park police station to be named after former chief Tim McCarthy
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Sometime in the near future, Tim McCarthy will be driving by or visiting his old home at the Orland Park police station and he will notice something new. His name. The Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees voted to name the station the Tim McCarthy Police Headquarters at its…

23 EPCHS students achieve perfect attendance
Spread the loveTwenty-three Evergreen Park Community High School students were recognized by Principal Bill Sanderson at a breakfast in the school cafeteria on May 19 for having achieved perfect attendance for the 2022-2023 school year. Perfect attendance is truly an accomplishment, and we commend the following students and their parents for their focus on coming…

Chicago man charged in Palos Heights motor vehicle thefts
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Chicago man was charged last week with possession of stolen motor vehicles after Oak Lawn police found him allegedly driving a van stolen in Palos Heights. Police said they responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of Good Shepherd Church at 7800 McCarthy Road…

Palos 118 foundation donates $30,000 for new classroom displays
Spread the loveThe Palos 118 Educational Foundation recently made a $30,000 donation to Palos School District 118 for classroom equipment upgrades. The donation will be used for the purchase and installation of new 70-inch interactive displays in all of the district’s third-grade elementary classrooms. “Our hope is that the new displays can be delivered and…

Family-run Bobalicious pops up on Harlem with community focus
Spread the loveBy Isabella Schreck Families can bond and kids can have fun at Bobalicious in Palos Heights, according to co-owner Gustavo Godinez. The cafe, which opened in late November at 12250 S. Harlem Ave., offers dozens of teas, smoothie and other drink combinations. It sells boba toppings and features free popcorn, cotton candy, foosball,…

Moraine Valley to host summer Movie in the Moonlight series
Spread the loveMoraine Valley Community College is hosting its popular Movie in the Moonlight series this summer. The college will show three movies on a 16-foot inflatable screen at the Gateway, between Buildings F and M, on campus, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills. Admission is free. The first movie is the Oscar-nominated “Puss in…

Shepard JROTC closes year with awards ceremony
Spread the loveThe U.S. Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Shepard High School concluded its academic year recently with an awards ceremony honoring cadets who distinguished themselves. Many national organizations presented awards to students for scholastic excellence, JROTC leadership and involvement, conduct, and military bearing. Students named the top cadets in their…

Worth passes parking restrictions for better safety
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle A series of parking regulations have been established in Worth in an effort to provide improved public safety within sections of the village. Trustee Brad Urban, who is the head of the public works committee, mentioned that an ordinance was being considered to eliminate parking on the south side of…

Contruction headaches starting, splash pad coming to Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Road construction time is in full swing and already residents of Palos Heights are experiencing some headaches. At a brief June 6 city council meeting that had four of eight aldermen absent, Alderman Jack Clifford said that an Oak Park Avenue construction project had started and is inconveniencing residents along…