Tony’s Fresh Market recently opened a store at 965 Rollins Road in Round Lake Beach, bringing the number of outlets in the grocery chain to 17. The company’s holdings include a warehouse and corporate headquarters in Itasca. The Round Lake Beach location is the chain’s first in Lake County. The business was founded in 1979 by Tony Ingraffia and his uncle, Domenico Gambino, both of whom were born in the small Sicilian town of Ciminna. For the rest of the story, turn to pages 60 and 61.

Oak Brook attorney Mario Palermo has been elected president of the Justinian Society of Lawyers’ DuPage County Chapter. Palermo grew up in New York City, attended Kent College of Law in Chicago, passed the bar in 1996 and joined the chapter 15 years ago after setting up shop in DuPage County. “The organization gave me a chance to meet people who are respected in the legal community and establish connections to help me grow my business,” he says. “I’ve made lifelong friends, and now I get to mentor younger lawyers and pay it forward.” “The people are fantastic, and the …

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans honored Jennifer Lyons and Antonio M. Romanucci at this year’s Dante Awards luncheon. The organization provided these profiles. JENNIFER LYONS Jennifer Lyons received the Dante Award. She is a celebrated television news executive with more than 30 years of experience, most of it in Chicago, the third largest television market in the United States. The former vice president of news for WGN America, Lyons oversaw the design and buildout of a 24-hour newsroom and studio and the creation and launch of a new national cable news outlet. She worked in a variety of …

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans has filed a complaint in the Chancery Court of Cook County against the Chicago Park District in an effort to return the Columbus statue to its original location in Arrigo Park. “On July 24, 2020, it is believed that Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered the removal of the city’s three Columbus statues, claiming it as a safety measure during protests and civil unrest,” the JCCIA noted in a press release. “It was to be ‘temporary,’ and the JCCIA’s position is that a year is long enough.” “We have reached out to the park district …

Società Santa Fara di Cinisi has been a beacon of italianità at Addison Street and Oleander Avenue in Chicago since the organization opened the doors to its social hall and chapel on the northeast corner of the intersection in 1985. The society’s light shines a little brighter now that the city has named Oleander from Addison to Waveland Avenue Honorary Via Santa Fara di Cinisi. “We approached [36th Ward] Alderman [Nicholas] Sposato with the idea, and he was more than happy to help,” says society President Carlo Vaniglia. “We need to be proud of our heritage and show that pride …

Retired Chicago police officer Frank DiMaria has been elected president of the Italian American Police Association. An IAPA member since 1997, he previously served as second vice president. Founded in 1964, the IAPA organizes and advocates on behalf of Italian Americans in law enforcement, and serves as a social, professional and charitable outlet for its membership. “When I started going to their meetings, I thought, ‘This feels right. I like the concept. I like how they conducted their business,’” DiMaria recalls. “I’ve always felt like I belong, like I’m a part of a family.” DiMaria’s plans include increasing membership and …

Dr. Jean Barbanente has been appointed interim superintendent of DuPage High School District 88, which encompasses Addison Trail and Willowbrook high schools. She is the district’s first female superintendent as well as the first to speak multiple languages. Barbanente has been with District 88 for more than 25 years and worked with past superintendents Dr. Scott Helton and Dr. Steve Humphrey. She joined District 88 in 1995 as a member of the world language department at Addison Trail, where she taught Italian and Spanish. In 2002, she transitioned to her first leadership role in the district, taking on the position …

With state restrictions finally lifted, Casa Italia is back in full swing. The Casa got the ball rolling in June with the revival of its bocce league. The 10-week tourney pits 16 teams of four against each other in a pitched battle for coveted trophies plus bragging rights until next year’s competition. Having gathered via Zoom last year, I-A Literati convened its annual celebration of Italian-American authors in person at the Cultural Center in July. Terry Quilico’s play “Seatonville” premiered afterward in the Community Center. Società Beato Giovanni Liccio di Caccamo hosted its annual festa at the end of July …

In June 2020, as attacks on Columbus statues across the country heated up, a group of Italian Americans led by Carlo Vaniglia started meeting at Arrigo Park in Little Italy every Sunday morning. Originally dubbed “Coffee with Columbus,” the gatherings were meant as a peaceful show of support for their heritage. When the city of Chicago decided to remove the Columbus statues in the middle of the night, the get-togethers morphed into a protest against the move. In the months that followed, others joined in and the Chicago Italian-American Patriots group was born. The Patriots organized a 2020 Columbus Day …

In lieu of their annual Memorial Day remembrance, which was canceled due to COVID-19, the Old Neighborhood Italian American Club made a donation to the Fisher House at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. Hines Fisher House provides a home away from home for the family members, caregivers and loved ones of patients receiving medical care at Hines. “We’re proud to be honoring our veterans with this contribution for such a worthy cause,” says ONIAC member Pete Scalise, who presented Fisher House Manager Holly Wright with the donation.