Wheaton attorney Jessica Defino has been elected president of the Justinian Society of Lawyers, DuPage County Chapter. Joining her as officers are Vice President Amanda Zannoni, Second Vice President Kira Albrecht, Secretary Anthony DeLongis, Treasurer Gabby Antoniolli and Comptroller Elizabeth Pope. A member of the DuPage County Chapter since she was sworn in as a lawyer in 2016, Defino was a student member of the Justinians in law school, earning the Justinian Scholarship from the DuPage chapter while pursuing her law degree. “I love the camaraderie among the members and how dedicated each person is to their Italian heritage,” she …

Brian Bernardoni has been inducted into the Illinois State University Steve and Sandi Adams Hall of Fame. A resident of the village of Justice and president of the Roberts Park Fire Protection District, Bernardoni was recognized for enhancing the quality of life on campus as an undergrad, grad student and beyond. While earning his bachelor’s degree at ISU, Bernardoni served as Fell Hall Community Council president, Student Body student advocacy director and vice president, and co-chair of the Senior Challenge. A president of Delta Sigma Phi, he was named Greek Man of the Year. He also served as a human …

The law firm of Amari & Locallo has once again received high marks from their peers in the field of real estate tax reduction. Partners Leonard Amari and John Locallo were voted the top real estate tax lawyers in Illinois in the 2022 edition of Super Lawyer magazine, and associate attorney Vincent Oppedisano was recognized as a “Rising Star” in the field. Last year, Amari was ranked by Leading Lawyer magazine as the No. 3 lawyer in the state in the real estate tax field, and Locallo was ranked No. 9. Both Amari and Locallo were rated “The Midwest’s Top …

Local Italian-American organizations are being urged to provide the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia in Stone Park with photos, documents, newspaper clippings, banners and other memorabilia for archiving purposes. “These societies are treasured institutions in our community. They embody a tradition of family and culture that has endured down the years and is woven into the fabric of our lives,” says Dominic Candeloro, director of the Cultural Center Library. “Their legacy must not be lost to current and future generations, but action must be taken now to avoid that tragedy.” (candeloro@casaitaliachicago.org, 847-951-9109)  

Comitato per gli italiani all’estero took part in a pair of vigils for Diego Damis, an Italian citizen who was murdered while walking home from his job at the Cove Lounge in Hyde Park on Feb. 25. Friends and co-workers of Damis held a candlelight vigil on March 4 at the site of the attack, and Com.It.Es hosted a vigil of its own on March 6 at Piazza Italia on Taylor Street. “Diego’s family flew in from Italy for the events. They thanked us for honoring their son and were very moved that our community remembered him,” says Com.It.Es President …

The Justinian Society of Lawyers held its 20th annual Children’s Endowment Fund grant reception on March 17 at Lux Bar in Chicago. Justinian First Vice President Bruno Marasso and Endowment Fund Chairman Frank Sommario presented $10,000 CEF grants to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago and to CASA Kane County at the event. On hand to accept the donations were Anthonia Warren of Lurie and Gloria Kelley and Amy Deaschler of CASA. Additional donations were made to both causes by Justinians and by guests who attended the event. “The Justinian Society is fervent in continuing to …

State Rep. Bob Rita brought together state and local leaders on the frontlines of the fight against violent crime to explore solutions to the problems his constituents are facing. In late March, Rita hosted a “Combating Crime” roundtable discussion at Calumet Township Community Center in Calumet Park. On hand were mayors and police chiefs from the communities in Rita’s 28th House District, which covers south suburban Calumet Park, Blue Island, Riverdale, Oak Forest, Midlothian, Robbins, Posen and Crestwood. The discussion was led by top officials at the Illinois State Police, including ISP Director Brendan Kelly, Major Matt Gainer of the …

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans celebrated a beloved media veteran and a revered elected official at this year’s Dante luncheon. Radio and TV news legend Bob Sirott received this year’s Dante Award at the event, and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White willreceived the JCCIA’S Dominic DiFrisco Award. The following profiles were provided by the organization: BOB SIROTT Generations of Midwesterners have grown up with lifelong Chicagoan Bob Sirott, first as a top Chicago rock ’n’ roll DJ in the ’70s and later as a news anchor on CBS2, NBC5 and Chicago Tonight on PBS. Bob also worked …

Dr. Paul E. DiFranco has risen through the ranks to the presidency of the Arcolian Dental Arts Society. Joining him as officers are President-elect Dr. Mary Teresa Lima, Vice President Dr. Jessica Mattern, Treasurer Dr. Lauren Allegretti and Secretary Dr. Charles Martello. A member for eight years, DiFranco joined the Arcolians because he saw how much the organization meant to his father, the late Dr. Charles F. DiFranco, a past president and recipient of the Arcolian of the Year Award. “After I started to attend the meetings regularly, I could see why he loved it so much,” DiFranco says. “It’s …

Longtime community activist Carlo Vaniglia has been elected president of Comitato per gli Italiani all’Estero (The Committee for Italians Living Abroad). Joining Vaniglia on Com.It.Es are Vice President Pietro Lorenzini; Secretary Cristina Gorizio; Treasurer Ivana Di Piero; executives Michelangelo Gianpaoli and Francesco DiMaggio; and members Stefano Butera, Giovanni Geusa, Roberto Vinci, Carol D’Anca, Franco Franchi and Lucio Bosco. The above were elected by Italian citizens living in the jurisdiction of Italy’s Chicago consulate, which encompasses 11 states. The committee is responsible for communicating the needs of its constituents to the Italian consulate and for promoting Italian language, culture and history …