Fra Noi

Fra Noi produces a magazine and website that serve the Chicago-area Italian-American community. Our magazine offers our readers a monthly feast of news and views, culture and entertainment that keeps our diverse and widely scattered readers in touch with each other and their heritage. Our website offers a dizzying array of information drawn from every corner of the local community.

Maniscalco to stage triumphant return

Fresh off a two-year-plus run on his Stay Hungry Tour, Billboard’s inaugural Comedian of the Year Sebastian Maniscalco is back with the You Bother Me tour, which will visit 12 cities in the U.S. and Canada throughout its fall run. Touted as “the comedian’s comedian” by People Magazine, Maniscalco finds himself “at the vanguard of a live comedy revolution,” according to Pollstar. And the man “NBC Nightly News” called “comedy’s new superstar” is showing no signs of stopping. A native of the Chicago area, Maniscalco will of course make a stop in Chicago, performing at the United Center on Nov. …

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IAPA to honor Alderman Sposato, 3 others

The Italian American Police Association will honor a foursome of stalwart souls at an Oct. 26 dinner dance at Elmcrest Banquets in Elmwood Park. (312-415-1202) The following profiles were provided by the organization: Alderman Nick Sposato • Man of the Year Award 38th Ward Ald. Nicholas (Nick) Sposato grew up around Belmont and Harlem avenues and is a lifelong resident of Chicago’s Northwest Side. Ald. Sposato is currently serving his third term. He was the first firefighter elected to the City Council and the first elected in two different wards. In 2011, he beat the machine in a runoff to …

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IALC honors labor leader Michael Somone

The Italian American Labor Council honored Michael Somone as Man of the Year at an Oct. 9 dinner-dance at the Local 150 Banquet Hall in Countryside. (312-339-1437) The following profile was provided by the organization: “Michael has a family history in labor that dates back three generations, and he proudly upholds that legacy every day,” says IALC President Anthony Guida. “We’re honored to present him with this year’s Man of the Year Award.” Michael’s grandfather, an officer and International Vice President of HERE, first introduced him to organized labor. Michael’s union membership expands over 35 years. In 1983, Michael became …

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Healthcare advocate Murer honored

Cherilyn G. Murer received the Top Women in Healthcare Legacy Award from PR News at an awards luncheon at The Yale Club in New York City in July 2019. The president and CEO of CGM Advisory Group, Murer is an internationally recognized advocate for the advancement of quality, cost-effective health care. As founder and president of Murer Consultants for 35 years, she advised multi-hospital health care systems, academic medical centers and large physician group practices on matters including complex regulatory, strategic and financial issues. When she sold the firm in 2017, Murer Consultants had more than 500 clients in 42 …

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Cabonargi goes to bat for families of fallen heroes

The Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Chicago City Council introduced ordinances to authorize a property tax abatement for the surviving spouses of Cook County’s fallen heroes. The program would aid the spouses of a fallen police officer, soldier or rescue worker. “The financial impact of the loss of these families’ loved ones does not go away when the TV cameras shut off,” says Board of Review Commissioner Michael Cabonargi, who brought the initiative to the County Board’s attention. “This program will recognize and honor the ongoing impact of this sacrifice on these families.”

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Circuit Court offers Italian Heritage Month tours

Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans has announced that the annual Italian Heritage Month Courthouse Tour of the Richard J. Daley Center will take place on Oct. 9. The tour is co-sponsored by the JCCIA and the Justinian Society of Lawyers. Offering the public a sense of the day-to-day operations in one of the nation’s largest unified court systems, the tour will include a visit to a courtroom to observe a trial in progress, an informal presentation by a circuit court judge and a meeting with bar association representatives. Reservations are required by Oct. 4 with …

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D’Amico paves the way for equal pay

A reform sponsored by state Rep. John D’Amico that aims to close the wage gap by prohibiting employers from using unfair practices to force women and people of color into a lifetime of lower pay was recently signed into law. D’Amico sponsored and helped pass House Bill 834, which updates the Equal Pay Act by prohibiting employers from requiring job candidates to submit their current wage or salary history. Given historic wage discrimination based on gender and race, banning this unfair practice aims to prevent a history of unfair pay from following women and minorities from job to job.

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OSDIA state lodge elects new officers

The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America’s Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin held its 48th Biennium State Convention on June 15 at the Edward Hotel Chicago in Rosemont. Grand lodge officers elected at the convention for the biennium 2019-2021 are Paul Loparco, president; Frank Schiro, first vice president; James LasCola, orator; Anna DeLuca, recording secretary; Maria Mancini, financial secretary; Carl Busateri, treasurer; Joseph Dentice, historian; and the Rev. John Belmonte, S.J., chaplain. Grand lodge trustees are Margurite Rowley, Giacomo Mancini, Elia Kress, Carol Hatley, Gino Montalbano and Joseph Santoro. Delegates to the convention were members elected by …

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Justinians honors worthy pair, install officers

The Rev. Michael P. Caruso and Larry Wert were the guests of honor when the Justinian Society of Lawyers hosts its annual installation and awards dinner on Sept. 12 at the Palmer House Hilton. For details, call 708-338-0760. The following officers were formally installed at the event: Natalie M. Petric (president), Judge Regina A. Scannicchio (first vice president), Dion U. Davi (second vice president), Bruno R. Massaro (third vice president), Michael D. Pisano (treasurer) and Brian T. Monico (secretary). The following profiles were provided by the organization: Fr. Michael P. Caruso, SJ — Award of Excellence The Rev. Michael P. …

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SACA celebrates 25th anniversary with gala luncheon

The Sicilian American Cultural Association celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gala Medal of Merit luncheon on Sept. 8 at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village. All past presidents and Medal of Merit recipients were honored at the event, along with this year’s honorees, Joseph and Martha Monastero and Katherine Amari O’Dell. For details, call 773-454-4710. The following profiles of this year’s Medal of Merit recipients were provided by the organization: Joseph Monastero Joseph Monastero was born in Philadelphia on Sept. 21, 1930, and returned to Caccamo, Italy, in 1932. He completed Liceo Classico in Palermo, returned to the United …

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