The Illinois Supreme Court has reappointed personal injury attorney Antonio M. Romanucci vice chairperson of its Rules Committee. A founding principal and partner at Romanucci & Blandin, Romanucci has served on the Rules Committee since December 2011. He and 15 other committee members are responsible for analyzing and recommending new Supreme Court rules or modifications to existing rules that govern all proceedings in trial court. “Serving on a committee with such well-regarded attorneys, judges and educators is a true honor,” says Romanucci, who has been named a Top Superlawyer in Illinois for 10 straight years.  

  Anthony Langone has stepped up to the plate for a second two-year term as president of the Italian American Police Association. A member for since 1983, he previously served as vice president and chairman of the board as well as president. Tony is the eldest of four sons of Louis and Betty Langone. He has lived his entire life in the Taylor Street neighborhood. “(When I was a kid), from Halsted to Western, everybody knew everybody,” he recalls. “We would play baseball at Peanut Park and ride our bikes around the neighborhood. It was like one big, happy family.” …

  John Mirabelli was honored as Man of the Year and Marianne D’Amico as Woman of the Year at the Mazzini-Verdi Club’s President’s Ball in December. John Frank Mirabelli was born on Feb. 28, 1938, at home near Taylor and Ashland. His parents, Enrico and Mary Anne Mirabelli, migrated from Calabria to Chicago in the early 1900s where they raised their six children: Edith, Irma, Louie, Theresa, Joe and John. He attended Notre Dame and Holy Trinity grade schools and St. Philip’s High School. John met the love of his life, Julie, on a blind date at North Avenue Beach …

by Ryan Calabretta-Sajder The American Association of Teachers of Italian recently bestowed its Honorary Membership Award (Socio Onorario) upon longtime Fra Noi Associate Editor Fred Gardaphè. A pioneering voice in the field of Italian-American studies, Gardaphè recently gave a keynote lecture at AATI’s 2016 International Conference in Naples. A Distinguished Professor of English and Italian American Studies at Queens College/CUNY and the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, Gardaphè directs the Italian/American Studies Program at Queens College and formerly directed the programs in Italian American and American studies at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Gardaphè is …

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans has elected Enza Raineri as president. Raineri and her fellow officers were installed by the Hon. Gloria Coco at the JCCIA’s Christmas party in December. Joining Raineri as JCCIA officers are First Vice President Jon Zivojnovic; Second Vice President Mariann Gullo, Third Vice President Ron Onesti, Treasurer Christine Caliendo Cerami, Secretary Arlene Elia and Sergeant-at-Arms John Galluzzi.   Vincenza “Enza” M. Raineri, President Enza Raineri serves as the associate clerk of the Criminal/Juvenile Bureau for the Hon. Dorothy Brown, clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Enza has oversight of the Criminal …

The Sicilian American Cultural Association has elected the Hon. Gloria Coco Esq. as president. Judge Coco and her fellow SACA officers will be sworn in by the Hon. Frank Orlando Esq. at a dinner meeting on Feb. 22 at Monastero’s, 3935 W Devon Ave, Chicago. SACA Chaplain the Rev. Charles N. Faso, OFM, will present a program on the history of Carnevale at the meeting, which will start with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for non-members and guests. Joining Judge Coco as officers will be First Vice President Lauretta Berg, Second Vice President Joseph …

    On Thursday, September 15, the Justinian Society of Lawyers held its annual Installation and Awards dinner at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. Officers were sworn for 2016-2017 and honors were bestowed at the glittering gala in the presence of more than 300 attendees. The 2016-2017 Justinian Officers had their oath administered by Illinois Supreme Court Justice, Thomas L. Kilbride, including: President, Frank A. Sommario, Partner at Romanucci & Blandin, LLC; First Vice President, Michael F. Bonamarte, Partner at Levin & Perconti; Second Vice President, Vincent R. Vidmer, of the Law Office of Vincent R. Vidmer; Third Vice …

  A pair of Chicago-area titans and a compatriot in St. Louis have joined the ranks of the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia. Consul General Giuseppe Finocchiaro knighted Ron Onesti, Pat Capriati and Rio Vitale on behalf of Italian President Sergio Mattarella at an Oct. 18 ceremony at the consulate. RON ONESTI Entertainment industry powerhouse Ron Onesti is recognized as an innovative leader in the entertainment industry across the country. With a passion for his heritage, he is also renowned as the “go-to-guy” for entertainers from Italy who want to perform here in the States. He has provided enjoyment for …

  Buona Beef opened its 18th location in Algonquin in November. The new restaurant is located at 501 S. Randall Road. Buona is the area’s largest family-owned Italian beef restaurant group and official Italian Beef of the World Series Champions Chicago Cubs. The grand opening festivities included giveaways and freebies, including free beef for a year for the first 100 customers and a prize wheel with Buona swag and gift cards. “We’re excited to serve the Algonquin community,” says second-generation owner Joe Buonavolanto. “It’s a thriving area that our family is proud to be a part of.”  

  State Rep. Anthony DeLuca held a free women’s self-defense seminar in October that offered instructions on how women can protect themselves in dangerous situations. Instructors were Masters Daniel Kocsis (6th Degree Black Belt) and Master Cathy Kocsis (4th Degree Black Belt). “Knowledge is power and being aware of your surroundings and knowing basic self-defense techniques provides the knowledge to protect oneself when danger approaches,” DeLuca says. “I will continue working to extend opportunities such as the self-defense training event to my constituents, and I will continue my efforts to increase public safety in the Southland.”