Società Santa Fara di Cinisi attracted more than 300 guests to its annual dinner dance on Dec. 3 at Allegra Banquets in Schiller Park. The theme of the event was “Building Bridges to Cinisi,” the town in Sicily to which many of the members trace their roots. The gathering was attended by Cinisi Vice Mayor Aldo Ruffino; town Assessor Marina Maltese; and Padre Antonio Ortoleva, pastor of Santa Fara Church in Cinisi. Vice Consul General Marina Balestra also attended, presenting the society with a congratulatory letter. “Since there are very few Italian immigrants nowadays, it’s important that the younger generation …

Casa Italia honored Edward S. Lezza Jr. as Man of the Year and Joseph A. Russo as Humanitarian of the Year at its 2023 gala. The following profiles were provided by the organization. Edward S. Lezza Jr. Edward S. Lezza Jr. is a resident of Westchester, where he lives with his wife, Elizabeth and rescue dogs (Princess and Hazel).  Eddie was raised in Bellwood where his family currently resides.  He attended St. Simeon School in Bellwood.  Following graduation from Nazareth Academy, he received an Associate Degree in Business from Triton College. Eddie began at the family bakery, Lezza Spumoni & …

The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame will hosted its 44th annual gala and induction ceremony on Feb. 17 at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village. This year’s inductees were LPGA champion Missie Bereotti, Pro Football Hall of Famer Alan Faneca, Henry Repeating Arms Founder and CEO Anthony Imperato, White Sox legend Paul Konerko and Washington Nationals President Mike Rizzo. Patrick A. Salvi was honored as Sportsman of the Year at the event. An attorney and founder of SSP Trial Lawyers, Salvi also founded Salvi Sports Enterprise. A consulting firm that provides strategic planning for minor league sports teams, …

The Justinian Society of Lawyers bestowed 21 scholarships totaling $54,000 at their 2022 installation and awards gala. That total doesn’t include matching grants from law schools. The recipients were Isabella Mazzanti, Nicole Alfano, Kimberly Bernhard, Adriana Bosco, Evan Deichstetter, Frank DiLeo, Marla Fontana, Carol Frugoli, Giana Galle, Arabella Gigliotti, Brandon Grant, Dorthea Keys Kohon, Monika Nasiadka, Olivia Raimondi, Joseph Ranieri, Sabrina Scardamaglia, Marissa Scavelli, Krista Solano, Kaitlin Stanfield, Christina Valentini and Nicholas Zito.    

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca is spearheading a measure that would help municipalities receive funds that are currently being unfairly withheld by utility companies. DeLuca’s Senate Bill 1794 addresses the concerns of municipalities that are owed thousands or even millions by utility companies due to errors in tax remittance. Under current practices, when a municipality levies a local tax on utilities, the companies collect the tax via a consumer’s monthly bill and then distribute the money to applicable municipalities. In recent years, records discrepancies between utilities and municipalities have prevented substantial tax dollars from reaching the appropriate government body.  

Chicago-based Romanucci & Blandin was recently ranked among the area’s top law firms in U.S. News’ 2023 Best Lawyers list. The firm received a Tier 1 ranking in the Chicago region for Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation and Claimants Workers’ Compensation Law. It also received a Tier 2 ranking for Plaintiffs Product Liability Litigation and a Tier 3 ranking for Plaintiffs Medical Malpractice Law. Several of the firm’s partners and attorneys have been listed in Best Lawyers in America for 2023. Antonio M. Romanucci and Frank A. Sommario are listed for Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants; Antonio M. Romanucci, Stephan D. Blandin, Gina …

Local realtor Christopher DeSanto has stepped up to the presidency of the Calabresi in America Organization, continuing a legacy of leadership begun by his mother, Mary. DeSanto’s grandparents came to America from Castrolibero and Rende, Calabria. Both of his parents were members of CIAO from the club’s inception, and his mom was a perennial volunteer and longtime board member. “For the last decade or so, my mother and I served on the board together,” DeSanto says. “When I became vice president, she was so happy, and she knew the day would come when I would become president. The best feeling …

Lou Scaramuzzo has embarked upon his second term as president of the Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization, accepting the gavel from Bob Urbinati. A member of CIACO since 2003 and a board member since 2005, Scaramuzzo has served as secretary, second vice president and first vice president, in addition to his seven-year stint as president from 2007-14. “My good friend Tom Reboletti invited me to join the organization,” he explains. “I saw the good they were doing and the opportunity they offered to give back to the community and celebrate my Italian heritage. It was a perfect fit.” What Lou …

Frank T. Concialdi has been elected president of Il Comitato Beato Giovanni Liccio, a Chicago society named in honor of the patron of Caccamo, Sicily. The society has a chapel and clubhouse on Addison Avenue and celebrates its feast day in late July. Following in the footsteps of his uncle and cousins, Concialdi became a member of the society in 2005. His involvement has allowed him to connect with his parents’ hometown in Italy and the traditions they brought to America, as well as spend time with paesani of all generations. During his two-year term, Concialdi hopes to expand the …

On Feb. 6, a pair of Lyric Opera favorites, soprano Tamara Wilson and tenor Russell Thomas, teamed up with music director Enrique Mazzola to showcase excerpts from Giuseppe Verdi’s operatic opus. Included were the shimmering overture to “La forza del destino,” favorite arias from “Don Carlos” and “Simon Boccanegra,” and mesmerizing duets from “Aida” and “Otello.” Rarely performed duets and arias rounded out the program, which the Lyric dubbed “Verdi Voices.” That concert is now enshrined on the Lyric website and can be streamed for free. To view, click here.