Community News

The Justinian Society of Lawyers held its 23rd annual Children’s Endowment Fund grant reception on March 13. Justinian President Brian Monico and Justinian Society Endowment Fund Chairman Frank Sommario presented a total of $15,000 in grants. The March 13 event was held at Luxbar Chicago. Homewood Science Center Executive Director Edie Dobrez, Keshet board member Doug Winkelstein and Chicago District Golf Association Executive Director Robert Markionni were on hand to accept the grants, provide short descriptions of their organizations and explain how the grant money will be used. “The Justinian Society is dedicated to promoting charitable giving as part of …

The Sanremo Giovani World Tour 2025 — a showcase for the rising stars of the iconic Italian music competition — will blow into the Windy City for a first-ever Chicago-area concert at 7 p.m. on May 11 at the Des Plaines Theatre. Admission to the event is free of charge. In its 75th year, the Sanremo Music Festival has kick-started the careers of many of Italy’s most famous entertainers. Toto Cutugno, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Domenico Modugno, Eros Ramazzotti, Il Volo and Maneskin are just a few of the acts that have performed on the Teatro Ariston stage in Sanremo, …

  UNICO National held its midyear board of directors meeting in Chicago from March 7-9. The centerpiece of the weekend was an awards banquet at the Embassy Suites hotel in Rosemont on March 8, where two Italian Americans were honored for their outstanding contributions to their community and their respective fields. The Guglielmo Marconi Science Award was presented to Dr. Carl D. Marci, a Boston-based physician, scientist, entrepreneur and author. Marci is the chief clinical officer and managing director of mental health and neuroscience at OM1, a venture-backed health-data company that uses artificial intelligence to improve patient outcomes. A Special …

The new home of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame is a beehive of activity, with Phase 1 of construction in the rearview mirror and Phase 2 well underway. Indoor demolition was completed in March on the building, located at 3417 N. Harlem Ave. in Chicago, with a mural on the north wall offering a taste of the pageantry and passion to come. “The Harlem Avenue location will be a multimedia experience focusing not only on athletic achievements, but also on the life lessons that go along with them,” says NIASHF President Ron Onesti. The Hall of Fame …

“I-A Literati 2025,” Casa Italia’s 21st annual celebration of local Italian-American authors, will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 17 in the Florentine Room of the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia. The event will begin with a meet-and-greet with the writers, followed by the keynote address and presentations. Additional activities include book sales, signings, lunch, raffles, and a new play, “The Maltese Biscotto,” a lighthearted mashup of “Casablanca” and “The Maltese Falcon,” which will be presented by the Casa Italia Players. The keynote address will be presented by Christina Marrocco, a professor of English and former …

State Rep. Bob Rita has been honored again as a top legislator in Illinois, this time for his efforts to support the state’s park districts. Rita was named the Illinois Association of Park Districts Outstanding Legislator of the Year at the 2025 IAPD and Illinois Parks and Recreation Association Soaring to New Heights Conference in downtown Chicago in late January. Rita sponsored a law last year giving local governments such as park districts and forest preserves the power to control the flying of drones over public spaces. The award was presented by IAPD Board of Trustees Chairman Gary Gillis.  

The Triton College Alumni Association has inducted River Forest chocolatier Madonna Fantetti Slepicka and TV/radio journalist Michele Fiore into its Alumni Hall of Fame. The honor is awarded to individuals who have made a significant impact on their profession, community and beyond. The owner of River Forest Chocolates, Fantetti Slepicka returned to Triton to take culinary classes after earning a Bachelor of Science in business from Eastern Illinois University. A chocolate-making class with chef Uzma Sharif set her on her current career path. “Chef Uzma was a fantastic instructor and was a second-generation chocolatier,” Fantetti Slepicka says. “She sparked my …

Patronato Acli, an agency that provides a variety of services to Italian citizens, has made the leap from the Office Center at Casa Italia in Stone Park to the Italian Cultural Center. The move took place at the beginning of the year, when the Office Center was shuttered after the property was acquired by the village of Stone Park. The office handles pension claims; provides consular, immigration and notary services; offers citizenship consulting; and does translations, apostilles and transcriptions of change-of-status documents like birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates. To make an appointment, call 708-345-0522.  

The Italian American Executives of Transportation held its second annual Augustus Caesar Awards on Feb. 1 at Ashton Place in Willowbrook. This year’s event honored nine young professionals who are excelling in their fields and exhibit potential for future success. The honorees were Nicky Amore (financial planning), Alex Corbo (law enforcement), Stephanie Corona (educational services), Rachel Matug (special education), Gianni Morrone (restaurant services), Anthony Palladino (medical marketing), Philip J. Sasso (audiovisual technology/entertainment), Nicole Sisco (food and beverage, planning/aviation) and Valerie Timpone (government services/judicial system). “These awards showcase young talent in our community who have made a significant impact in their …

Super Lawyers magazine has named 11 attorneys at Chicago-based Romanucci & Blandin to its 2025 Top 100 Super Lawyers, Illinois Super Lawyers and Illinois Rising Stars. Founding partner Antonio Romanucci ranked No. 3 on the Illinois list and senior partner Frank Sommario was among the Top 100 Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers relies on peer selection and review, third-party research and professional achievement to curate its lists. Candidates are eligible as Rising Stars if they are 40 or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less. Only 5% of attorneys in Illinois earned the Super Lawyer title and …