When driving east on the Kennedy Expressway, it doesn’t take much to pass up Norridge without noticing it. A town of less than 15,000, Norridge was incorporated in 1948 and is almost completely surrounded by Chicago. It is a town made up largely of European immigrants, first- and second-generation Italians and Polish, hard-working people who take care of their families and each other. It might be easy to miss Norridge if you’re not looking for it, but there is no missing what has been happening on Lawrence Avenue just east of Cumberland Avenue for nearly 30 years. When Cumberland Chapels …

Great law firms go to great lengths for their clients. They fight hard in court to get settlements that plaintiffs deserve and expect. Without question, Fichera & Miller, P.C. has delivered that stellar performance ever since Dominic R. Fichera and Howard S. Miller joined forces in 1993. The former DePaul University College of Law classmates have a refreshing take on client advocacy. “Some attorneys think that the case is their case and not the client’s case. As a result, decisions are made that reflect what’s good for the firm — and not what’s good for the client,” says Fichera, who …

It’s not that far from 710 W. Grand Ave. in Chicago — where V. Formusa Co. opened its doors in 1898 — to 2150 Oxford Road in Des Plaines, where the company relocated. That the move took more than a century to make is a testament to the dedication and vision of the four generations that have run the oldest Italian food importer in the Chicago area. “It was hard to leave the old factory,” Vice President Sue Formusa Johnson admits. “It’s one of the oldest buildings in the city, we had relatives who were born upstairs, and it was …

It’s been 50-plus years since Regal Seating Company starting manufacturing its custom, made-to-order commercial bar stools and chairs. And that kind of longevity extends not only across years and generations, but also into the very social fabric of the Chicago area’s most vibrant restaurants and taverns. Whether you’ve frequented Lou Malnati’s Gold Coast Chicago location, Beer House Chicago in Lombard, or Stout Barrel House and Galley on the Near North Side, you’ve seen the handiwork of Regal and its president, Jerry Saviano. On a grander scale, Regal has manufactured the seating for all the restaurants in the ever-expanding Buona Beef …

A strong entrepreneurial spirit, an emphasis on creativity, professionalism and a willingness to utilize best practices from all different types of industries are characteristics prized by Dominic M. Sergi, chief executive officer of REX Electric and Technologies LLC. These traits, along with the cornerstones of mutual respect and cooperation for all who interface with the company, and a commitment to good citizenship, have powered the success of REX, which has grown to be one of the largest providers of electrical and technology services in the Midwest. Sergi built the business from a modest family company started by his uncle in …

The Salerno family is entering its 100th full year of operation in the funeral industry, a major milestone by anyone’s standards. But they’ve also kept pace with the times. With its neoclassic atrium crowned by a striking peaked skylight, Salerno’s Rosedale Chapels in Roselle defies any dreary funeral home stereotype, as does the family’s Galewood Chapels on Harlem near North in Chicago. But ever since the first parlor opened its doors a century ago, Rosario D. Salerno established a tradition of compassionate service that his descendants honor with pride. “We still do business the way he did,” says Joe Salerno, …

Take a tantalizing culinary tour of Italy’s Lazio Region with Casa language instructor and amateur chef Giovanna Dimetros. Your adventure will include a cooking class, recipes, information about the region, and mini-language class with the spellings and pronunciations of Italian words and phrases related to food. Typical dishes from Sardegna will be prepared and enjoyed by the students with Italian music playing in the background. The session will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on March 25 in the Mentesana Weber Room of the Community Center at Casa Italia in Stone Park. Admission is $65 per person. This is a BYOB event. …

Gene & Georgetti received the inaugural Chicago Classic Award at this year Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Grand Chefs. The evening featured three-dozen Chicago’s chefs preparing and presenting their signature dishes to more than 750 guests. By the end of the night, more than half a million dollars was raised for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The event took place on Jan. 30 at the Fairmont Hotels and Resort. geneandgeorgetti.com

Franco A. Coladipietro has served as village president of Bloomingdale since 2013. He recently retired as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, having served in that capacity since 2005. Coladipietro joined the law firm of Amari & Locallo in 1995, and is the managing partner of the firm’s Bloomingdale office. His community involvement includes the DuPage County Area Project; Glen Oaks Hospital Foundation; and the Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Roselle, Glendale Heights and Wheaton chambers of commerce. He has been honored as a Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, Young Lawyer of the Year …

John D’Amico has served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives since 2004. Committee assignments include Consumer Protection; Labor and Commerce; Transportation – Vehicles and Safety (chairman); and Veterans’ Affairs. D’Amico is a member of the Edgebrook Community Association; St. Edwards Athletic Advisory Committee; City Club of Chicago; Mayfair Lions Club; Queen of All Saints Men’s Club; and the Edgebrook-Sauganash Athletic Association. He joined the Chicago Water Department in 1982 and now serves as an assistant superintendent.