The 2023-24 officers and executive board of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America were installed by Judge Jennie Giambastiani in December. Pictured are (seated, from left) Financial Secretary Janis Ryan, President Lyn Scolaro, Sergeant-at-Arms Stella Weber, (standing, from left) Trustee Carrie Peck, Vice President Mary Wroblewski, trustees Rich Reiss and Ralph Cardone, and Treasurer Jeff Sanderson. Not pictured are Past President Joe Papa and Secretary Patricia Schultz. The March meeting of SADIA will feature a St. Joseph’s Table. (sadia-chicago.org)  

The Mazzini-Verdi Club started December off with a bang, honoring Steve Menconi and Catherine Di Venere Ciminello as Man and Woman of the Year at its Dec. 3 President’s Ball. On the menu were an outstanding dinner and dancing that went well into the evening. Then came the Ladies Club’s Dec. 17 Christmas party, featuring a decorated tree and other traditional décor, carols in English and Italian, delicious home-baked treats and elegant baskets created by members to be raffled off. Two weeks later, more than 160 revelers partied until well after midnight at the club’s New Year’s Eve bash. (847-671-0055) …

The Lucchesi nel Mondo of Chicago celebrated a time-honored Italian tradition at a family-friendly gathering on Jan. 8 at the Mazzini Verdi Club in Franklin Park. Nearly 40 children and more than 60 adults were treated to a delicious lunch followed by a meet and greet with La Befana, who handed out gifts to every child 12 years of age and under. In Italian folklore, La Befana travels throughout the world on the Feast of the Epiphany distributing presents to all of the good girls and boys.

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 …