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.

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 …

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. …

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 …

A pair of Illinois Italian Americans were among this year’s recipients of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Attorney Enrico J. Mirabelli, corporate executive Sergio “Satch” Pecori and 90 others received their medals during a May 11 ceremony on Ellis Island. Mirabelli is a family law attorney with more than 37 years of experience. He served for 10 years on the Illinois State Bar Association’s Board of Governors and has served on the ISBA General Assembly and Family Law Section Council. Mirabelli has been honored by the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Corporation, John Marshall Law School, National Center for Exploited …

The Cook County Board recently honored the passing of Dominic DiFrisco with a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Peter Silvestri. On hand were (from left) Commissioner John Daley, daughter Nina Mariano, grandson Pasquale Gianni, widow Carol Loverde, Silvestri and Pressident Toni Preckwinkle. The resolution reads as follows: WHEREAS, on April 27, 2019, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom called Dominic DiFrisco from our midst; and WHEREAS, Dominic DiFrisco was the beloved husband of Carol (nee Loverde) and loving father of Nina (Robert) Mariano; and WHEREAS, Dominic DiFrisco was the proud grandfather of Pasquale Gianni and fond brother of Carmela Soricelli of …

Antonio Romanucci has been installed as the 66th president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and Frank Sommario has been sworn in as the secretary of the National Italian American Bar Association. Romanucci and Sommario are partners in the Chicago-based law firm of Romanucci & Blandin. Romanucci has been an active member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association since 1995. He was elected to the Board of Managers in 2003 and has served on ITLA’s Executive Committee as well as ITLA’s Nominating Committee. He is a past president of the Justinian Society of Lawyers and the founder of the Justinian’s …

Film aficionados have hungered for the return of Casa Italia’s beloved feast of Italian cinema, and the wait is finally over. The Casa’s 2019 Italian film series will reboot on Sept. 13 and run for seven glorious Fridays. The host of this year’s series will be Pam DeFiglio, a veteran Chicago editor, columnist and arts critic. The following film descriptions were provided by Casa Italia: Sept. 13 — Un Paese Quasi Perfetto (An Almost Perfect Town) (2016) — Pietramezzana offers stunning mountain scenery, but all the jobs have left town. To save it, residents deploy improbable and highly comic schemes, …

Ron Ricchio was among the top 50 mortgage brokers in the country last year in terms of total loan volume, according to Scottsman’s Guide, a national residential and commercial publication. The ranking places him at the pinnacle of a profession that includes thousands of brokers nationwide. Ricchio was ranked among the best mortgage lenders in 2018 by #BorrowWisely, the top 350 originators in the country in 2016 by National Mortgage News, and the top 200 originators in the country in 2010, 2011 and 2014 by Origination News. A broker since 1991, Ricchio is president of Chicagoland Home Mortgage Services in …

The following article was provided by Pan American Bank & Trust. At a time when many community banks have been forced to merge or be acquired, Pan American Bank & Trust has emerged as a true story of tenacity and dedication. By putting their clients, communities, and employees at the heart of what they do, bank leadership has charted a course toward long-term independence and success. Pan American Bank & Trust has always embodied the true meaning of business and community banking. “We’re living proof that, with hard work, a clear vision, and solid ethics, anything is possible,” says bank …