The Chicago area was blessed in April with a first-ever visit by the renowned Choir of the Cardinal Bartolucci Foundation. One of the world’s premier Catholic choruses, the ensemble undertook a whirlwind tour that included five concerts in as many days. The first stop was on April 19 at the opulent Sanfilippo estate in far north suburban Barrington. On April 20, the ensemble paid a quick visit to Casa Italia, where they were wowed by the hand-carved 1/100-scale replica of St. Peter’s Basilica and Square on the third floor of the Italian Cultural Center. Moved to song, they were recorded …

Each year, more than three-dozen Italian patron saint celebrations grace the Chicago area. Kept alive by paesani from villages and cities across Italy, these events preserve some of the most cherished of our traditions. Festivities range from simple religious services to solemn masses and processions to family festivals that last several days. But they all have one thing in common: devotion to the spiritual protectors of la bell’Italia. At press time, information was available on the following events. ATTENZIONE! — All events are subject to cancellation, postponement, modification or restrictions based on current pandemic guidelines. Please call first to check …

As part of an ongoing effort to “save our stories,” Italian Cultural Center librarian Dominic Candeloro convened a roundtable discussion about a possible second volume of “Italian Women in Chicago: Madonna mia! QUI debbo vivere?” Published 10 years ago and spearheaded by Candeloro, the book features 40 accounts by scholars, journalists, freelance writers, researchers and first-person narrators, all of whom shed light on the history and experiences of Italian-American women in the Chicago area. Participants in the March 26 discussion included the editors and some of the writers of the first book. They discussed future essay subjects and possible contributors. …

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 …