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.

State trial lawyers nominate Romanucci

Chicago attorney Antonio M. Romanucci has been nominated as second vice president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. A founding partner and principal at Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, Romanucci has been an ITLA board member since 2003, serving on several committees and participating in regular events. Founded in 1952, the 2,000-member ITLA believes that when large entities act irresponsibly by creating unsafe products and workplaces, polluting the environment or swindling employees, they must be held accountable in the courts. “I am honored to receive this nomination from an organization that I have the upmost respect and admiration for,” Romanucci says. …

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Justinians install officers, honor Perconti

Prominent attorney John J. Perconti was the guest of honor when the Justinian Society of Lawyers hosted its annual installation and awards dinner on Oct. 4 at the Palmer House Hilton. The following officers were formally installed at the event: Michael F. Bonamarte (president), Vincent R. Vidmer (first vice president), Natalie M. Petric (second vice president), Judge Regina A. Scannicchio (third vice president), Dion U. Davi (treasurer) and Bruno R. Massaro (secretary.) John J. Perconti — Award of Excellence John J. Perconti is a highly-acclaimed Illinois attorney and co-founder of Levin & Perconti, and a lifelong member of the Justinian …

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SACA honors attorney Umberto Davi

The Sicilian American Cultural Association presented attorney Umberto S. Davi with its Medal of Merit on Sept. 24 at Monastero’s Banquets in Chicago. Umberto S. Davi The Sicilian American Cultural Association is proud to present attorney Umberto S. Davi with its coveted Medal of Merit. Davi is a founding member of the Sicilian American Cultural Association, a lifetime member of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans and a past president (1995) of the Justinian Society of Lawyers. He is proud to have served as the first immigrant president (2015-2016) of the 33,000-plus-member Illinois State Bar Association. For the first …

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DePaul taps Benedetto for key post

Dr. Corinne Benedetto has been named interim dean of DePaul University’s School for New Learning. Benedetto joined the School for New Learning in 1998, previously serving as associate dean for operations and enrollment management and as associate dean of undergraduate programs. Last academic year, she also served as a member of the Office of the Provost’s SNL & Adult Learning Task Force. “As a task force member, Corinne played a key role in developing pathways to address the ongoing evolution of adult higher education and how DePaul can continue to lead in this competitive field,” DePaul Provost Marten denBoer says. …

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Saturday Night Live delivers a low blow

The Italian American One Voice Coalition placed “Saturday Night Live,” Executive Producer Lorne Michaels and the SNL writing staff in the One Voice Hall of Shame. The placement followed a blatantly anti-Italian comedy skit on a recent SNL. “The slurs used during this so-called comedy skit have not been heard on network TV in decades and should not be heard ever again on any broadcast medium — or anywhere,” said One Voice president Doctor Manny Alfano. “It baffles me as to how this skit was even included in the show and how Executive Producer Lorne Michaels allowed it to air!” …

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Rep. D’Amico goes to bat for his constituents

It’s been a busy spring for State Rep. John D’Amico. As Fra Noi goes to press, the state representative is sponsoring House Bill 2647, which would require the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs to create several programs to better serve veterans with PTSD and other service-related mental illnesses. He is also sponsoring House Resolution 274, which asserts the Illinois House of Representatives’ opposition to efforts to cut Meals on Wheels, the Congregate Meals Program, and community block grants that provide funding for senior meal programs. He is sponsoring and voted to pass House Bill 2462, which would forbid employers from …

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Rep. DeLuca hailed by local government

Local governments across Illinois are thanking Rep. Anthony DeLuca for helping advance a plan aimed at keeping critical revenue and budget decisions local. The Illinois Coalition of Local Governments hailed DeLuca, chairman of the House Cities and Villages Committee, for organizing a joint legislative hearing with the House Revenue and Finance Committee on House Bill 2717. The bill calls for municipalities around Illinois to be able to work with outside professional consultants to review their tax collections and identify areas for improvement. The bill would end actions by the Illinois Department of Revenue to prevent such hirings. In other news, …

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Justinians uphold legacy of giving

The Justinian Society of Lawyers held its 15th annual Children’s Endowment Fund dinner at Lux Bar in Chicago. More than 60 Justinians were in attendance as the 2017 CEF recipients, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Reflections Foundation, each received a sizeable grant check for $3,625. The mission of the CEF is to assist disabled or disadvantaged children in our community. Since establishing the CEF in 2002 during his term as president, Romanucci & Blandin principal and partner Antonio Romanucci and the Justinian members have raised crucial funds for a wide range of recipients, including Make-A-Wish Foundation, Bear Necessities, …

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Zerillo Realty earns Best of Park Ridge honors

Zerillo Realty Inc. has been selected for the 2017 Best of Park Ridge Award in the real estate brokerage category by the Park Ridge Award Program. Each year, the Park Ridge Award Program identifies companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their respective categories, and for enhancing the positive image of small businesses through service to their customers and community. Winners are determined based on information gathered internally by the program and data provided by third parties. Managing broker/owner Giuseppe Zerillo opened Zerillo Realty in 2014, only six years after earning his realtor’s license. Zerillo was honored by Top …

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“Satch” Pecori to chair Engineering Council

Sergio “Satch” Pecori, chairman and CEO of Hanson Professional Services Inc., has been named chairman of the American Council of Engineering Companies. Pecori, who served as chair-elect of ACEC this past year, accepted the post in April during ACEC’s annual convention in Washington, D.C. He will serve until April 2018. “ACEC represents the engineering industry on the legislative and business practice fronts,” Pecori says. “It is an honor to serve as chair.” ACEC has more than 600,000 members from 5,000 firms across the U.S. Hanson is an employee-owned consulting firm providing engineering, planning and allied services.

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