Many business owners dream of their children following in their footsteps. That dream became a reality for veteran property loss adjuster Ben Tedesco when his daughter Renee Tedesco-Ohr earned her public adjuster’s license in 2020. Tedesco-Ohr had been working at Ben Tedesco Inc. in a variety of capacities since 2014. “Renee is the best associate I’ve even had,” says Tedesco, who launched his firm in 1982. “It’s a comfort to know that the company will be in capable hands for decades to come.” Born in Elmwood Park and raised in Shiller Park, Tedesco-Ohr graduated from Mother Guerin High School then …

The Women’s Division of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans held its 2026  Festa della Donna on March 10 at the Des Plaines Theatre. Carmela Capriati and Sharon DePrizio chaired the event, which was hosted by Onesti Entertainment. This year’s theme was “Italian American Women Business Owners,” with 17 standout entrepreneurs sharing the spotlight. Around 150 guests turned out to hear stories about how they all got started. The honorees represented a diverse range of businesses, including consulting, retail, fashion design, bridal couture, Italian product development and distribution, real estate, financial and insurance, floral design, marketing and branding, food industry, …

Two-time James Beard Award recipient chef Rick Tramonto joined Roanoke Hospitality as vice president of culinary for Grill on 21, on the 21st floor of The LaSalle Chicago hotel in the Loop. The initiative stems from the company’s commitment to ensuring that the once-vibrant dining scene of the city’s downtown financial district is restored, Food Industry News reported. A celebrity chef who has written eight books, Tramonto has worked in many facets of the industry in his career, including serving as executive chef and founding partner of Tru in Chicago, and overseeing Tramonto’s Steak & Seafood in Wheeling and RT …

  After 42 years, Tony Spavone’s Ristorante in Bloomingdale has changed ownership, although it might not be apparent to customers. New owners Dan and Teresa Williams, who live in nearby Wood Dale, bought the eatery at 266 W. Lake St. from founder Tony Spavone in late October. However, Spavone remains actively involved in the running of the restaurant, which has helped tremendously with the transition, Dan Williams explained. “It’s been a great partnership,” Williams said. Born in Naples, Spavone came to the U.S. as a boy and learned to cook at 13 while working in his father’s Chicago restaurant, Seven …

Gibsons Italia in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood took the top spot among the 13 Illinois restaurants featured in Restaurant Business’ 100 top-grossing independent restaurants for 2025. The modern Italian steakhouse boasted more than $32 million in sales, with an average check of $114. The No. 1 spot was claimed by Mila in Miami, with more than $51 million in sales. Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse in Chicago, Oak Brook and Rosemont are also on the list, as well as Bob Chinn’s Crab House in Wheeling, and Cindy’s Rooftop, Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, Quartino, Swift & Sons, Cira, Luxbar, Girl …

La Scarola Italian restaurant at 721 W. Grand Ave. in Chicago has at least two celebrity fans: actor Jeremy Allen White of the FX’s hit show “The Bear” and Guy Fieri, the Emmy award-winning restaurateur and TV personality. Fieri is said to never skip a visit to La Scarola — which appeared twice on his show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” — while in town, Chowhound reported. White also pointed to La Scarola, which opened in 1998 and is owned by Joey Mondelli and Armando Vasquez, as a favorite, according to Chicago Star media.  

Restaurant industry veteran Brett Patterson was appointed president and CEO of Portillo’s in February. He also joined the board of directors of the Chicago-based fast-casual restaurant known for its Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs and decadent chocolate cake. Patterson brings extensive leadership experience across large, national restaurant brands, with a strong background in operations, team development and driving sustainable growth, according to GlobeNewswire. “This is a tremendous brand with a powerful culture, an incredibly passionate fan base, a long runway for growth, and a team that truly cares about delivering great experiences,” Patterson said.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill, which operated more than 200 restaurants at its peak in the early 2000s, is now down to fewer than 10 locations, TheStreet reported. The casual Italian restaurant chain’s website lists 17 locations, but many of those have closed, according to media reports. One location remains operational in Illinois, at O’Hare International Airport. Founded in Texas in 1988, Romano’s peaked in 2006 with nearly 250 restaurants but filed for bankruptcy in 2017, with closures bringing it down to 91 restaurants, Restaurant Business reported. The chain is currently owned by RMG Acquisition Co.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Melrose Park will celebrate the Feast of St. Rita, Patroness of the Impossible, on May 22 and 30. A bus will depart from the parish for the Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia in Chicago at 4:30 p.m. on May 22. The pilgrimage will include a Mass, tour of the relics and reception. The cost is $22. A 9 a.m. Mass on May 30 at the parish will be followed by a breakfast in the gym. The cost of the breakfast is $10. Reservations are required for the pilgrimage and breakfast. (312-860-2530)  

Carmine’s, one of Chicago’s most iconic Italian restaurants, reopened at 1037 N. Rush St. after a two-year, multimillion-dollar renovation that included major interior and exterior upgrades. The restaurant is owned by Alex Dana, founder and president of the Rosebud Restaurant Group, who first opened Rosebud on Taylor Street in 1976. Carmine’s originally opened in 1994, Block Club Chicago reported. “Carmine’s has always been about bringing people together around great food and genuine hospitality,” Dana said in a statement reported by the news site. “This reopening allows us to honor that history while creating something exciting and relevant for the next …