State Rep. John D’Amico has voted to freeze lawmaker reimbursements and prevent a pay raise for politicians. “Politicians should not be receiving any sort of pay increase while middle-class families continue to struggle to get by,” D’Amico says. “With property taxes crunching the budgets of working families across the state, we should be focused on offering tax relief, not giving out perks to politicians.” D’Amico supported House Bill 643, which removes the automatic cost-of-living increase that state legislators are due in July. The measure also freezes reimbursement rates for travel, food and lodging on days lawmakers are in session in …

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca held his 16th annual clergy breakfast with spiritual leaders throughout the community to discuss his work in Springfield, as well as to address the concerns of the leaders and field their suggestions. “I always appreciate the opportunity to sit down and talk with them,” DeLuca says. “I am grateful that we have such great individuals who not only take the time to listen, but to offer advice and potential solutions that will help me as a legislator make the best decisions for families throughout my district.”

Antonio M. Romanucci and Frank A. Sommario are among several attorneys at the Chicago law firm of Romanucci & Blandin to be hailed recently by their peers. A principal and partner at the firm, Romanucci has been named to the prestigious “Top 100” list in Illinois for 2017 by Super Lawyers Magazine. This is the 11th consecutive year that Romanucci has been recognized as a “Top 100” attorney and the 13th consecutive year he has been selected to the list of Illinois Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers Magazine identifies the nation’s top attorneys through a process of peer selection and review, …

Dr. Luisa DiPietro, a professor of periodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. AAAS fellows are selected by their peers in recognition of significant advances made in the sciences. The director of the UIC Center for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration and the associate chancellor for research, DiPietro studies the process of wound healing and tissue regeneration following injury. She and her coworkers have discovered several key factors that dictate whether wounds heal perfectly or with scars.

Dr. Anna Manzotti, a clinical assistant professor of restorative dentistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, earned a Teaching Recognition Program (TRC) Award from the UIC Center for the Advancement of Teaching-Learning Communities. “Dr. Manzotti’s teaching is an excellent example of the high quality of instruction that characterizes the best of UIC,” says Dr. Maria Varelas, director of the center. The TRC considered student feedback, peer reviews, mentoring of students, curriculum development, impactful and innovative teaching, and other factors. Faculty “have to demonstrate clinical and professional excellence to inspire students to achieve high standards,” according to …

Sportivo Management Group founder Anthony H. Isabelli has parlayed a deep appreciation for his Italian heritage into a new role that he hopes will allow more Italian Americans to examine their own roots. In December, he was appointed to the position of United States Foreign Committee president for the Association of Sport, Culture and Leisure (ASCI), an Italian organization headquartered in Rome. This new post will allow Isabelli to further his mission of encouraging cultural exchanges between America and Italy by creating opportunities for young athletes from both countries to compete against each other. In an official statement, Isabelli expressed …

  Banking executive Peter Volpe was honored as Man of the Year and Stone Park Mayor Beniamino Mazzulla received a Chairman’s Special Recognition Award at Casa Italia’s 47th annual gala on April 22 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison.   Peter Volpe Casa Italia is proud to present its 2017 Person of the Year Award to banking executive Peter Volpe. “Whenever duty has called, Peter has answered,” says Casa Chairman John Ferrentino. “When he joins an organization, he puts his heart and soul into it and he always emerges as a leader.” Peter is the grandson of Salvatore and Josephine …

The first meeting of the 2017 term of JCCIA officers was called to order at Trattoria Poretta. Over 70 people were in attendance, representing Italian organizations throughout Chicagoland. Among them were the Italian Chamber of Commerce, UNICO, ARSA, Italian American War Veteran, Italian American Executives of Transportation, Italian American Human Relations Foundation, Justinian Society of Lawyers, Calabresi in America Organization, Società San Giovanni Bosco SS. Crocifisso di Ciminna, Elk Grove Sister Cities, and the JCCIA Women’s Division and Young Professionals Division. On the agenda for discussion was the Columbus Day Parade. 2017 Parade Chairman Sergio Giangrande was present. Giangrande is …

The Italian American Police Association honored a trio of worthy recipients at its 53rd annual dinner dance on Nov. 5 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. Accepting Man of the Year honors was attorney David Figlioli, co-founder and general partner at Morici, Figlioli & Associates. Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award was entertainment industry powerhouse Ron Onesti, founder and president of Onesti Entertainment. And accepting Humanitarian of the Year honors was Fr. Dan Brandt, director of the Chaplains Unit of the Chicago Police Department. Officer of the Year Awards were also bestowed.

Coco Pazzo has been hailed as having the best Italian wine list in Chicago by Gambero Rosso, an internationally renowned authority on Italian wine and restaurants. Wine Director Tamra Weiss was presented with the award at the Tre Bicchieri World Tour Wine Tasting kick-off in Chicago on Feb. 7. “I am honored to be recognized with this prestigious award,” Weiss says. “I am so proud that our restaurant was singled out by this world-renowned organization.” “We are thrilled to be recognized for the quality and diversity of the wines on our menu,” husband and co-owner Jack Weiss adds. “It is …