Community News

The Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Chicago City Council introduced ordinances to authorize a property tax abatement for the surviving spouses of Cook County’s fallen heroes. The program would aid the spouses of a fallen police officer, soldier or rescue worker. “The financial impact of the loss of these families’ loved ones does not go away when the TV cameras shut off,” says Board of Review Commissioner Michael Cabonargi, who brought the initiative to the County Board’s attention. “This program will recognize and honor the ongoing impact of this sacrifice on these families.”

Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans has announced that the annual Italian Heritage Month Courthouse Tour of the Richard J. Daley Center will take place on Oct. 9. The tour is co-sponsored by the JCCIA and the Justinian Society of Lawyers. Offering the public a sense of the day-to-day operations in one of the nation’s largest unified court systems, the tour will include a visit to a courtroom to observe a trial in progress, an informal presentation by a circuit court judge and a meeting with bar association representatives. Reservations are required by Oct. 4 with …

A reform sponsored by state Rep. John D’Amico that aims to close the wage gap by prohibiting employers from using unfair practices to force women and people of color into a lifetime of lower pay was recently signed into law. D’Amico sponsored and helped pass House Bill 834, which updates the Equal Pay Act by prohibiting employers from requiring job candidates to submit their current wage or salary history. Given historic wage discrimination based on gender and race, banning this unfair practice aims to prevent a history of unfair pay from following women and minorities from job to job.

The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America’s Grand Lodge of Illinois and Wisconsin held its 48th Biennium State Convention on June 15 at the Edward Hotel Chicago in Rosemont. Grand lodge officers elected at the convention for the biennium 2019-2021 are Paul Loparco, president; Frank Schiro, first vice president; James LasCola, orator; Anna DeLuca, recording secretary; Maria Mancini, financial secretary; Carl Busateri, treasurer; Joseph Dentice, historian; and the Rev. John Belmonte, S.J., chaplain. Grand lodge trustees are Margurite Rowley, Giacomo Mancini, Elia Kress, Carol Hatley, Gino Montalbano and Joseph Santoro. Delegates to the convention were members elected by …

There are pillars in the community. Those individuals who stand for something. Those who truly make a difference in the lives of all whom they touch. George Randazzo, the founder and president of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, was one such person. We lost George on July 28. He was 77. George was born on Oct. 21, 1941, and grew up in the classic Chicago Avenue Italian neighborhood. An extremely proud U.S. Army veteran, he served 11 months in Vietnam. In 1977, he founded the Boxing Hall of Fame. He threw a grand inaugural gala, with every …

The Cook County Board recently honored the passing of Dominic DiFrisco with a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Peter Silvestri. On hand were (from left) Commissioner John Daley, daughter Nina Mariano, grandson Pasquale Gianni, widow Carol Loverde, Silvestri and Pressident Toni Preckwinkle. The resolution reads as follows: WHEREAS, on April 27, 2019, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom called Dominic DiFrisco from our midst; and WHEREAS, Dominic DiFrisco was the beloved husband of Carol (nee Loverde) and loving father of Nina (Robert) Mariano; and WHEREAS, Dominic DiFrisco was the proud grandfather of Pasquale Gianni and fond brother of Carmela Soricelli of …

The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii is inviting current and former parishioners to purchase a paver for placement in the Shrine’s Garden of Remembrance. “If you’ve ever had a special moment in this sacred place, if you’d like to honor a loved one or commemorate a special date, please consider being a part of our Garden of Remembrance,” Shrine Rector the Rev. Richard Fragomeni says. The garden is located south of the Holy Family statue, with 100 bricks already installed. With every 100 bricks sold, another installation will take place. A 4-inch-by-8-inch brick costs $250 and is customizable with …

Retired local businessman and charitable dynamo Richard Montalbano Sr. will receive the prestigious Joseph P. Cianci Humanitarian Award at UNICO National’s annual convention, which will run from July 24 to 28 in Nashville. A knight grand cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Montalbano is also a past grand knight and district deputy of the Knights of Columbus and a past regional director and grand commander of the Order of Alhambra. He has served for nearly 40 years as the curator of the Crypt of the Saints, a shrine at Visitation Parish in Elmhurst that contains …

The Sons and Daughters of Italy in America will honor veteran educator Lyn Scolaro as Person of the Year at a gala on July 13 at Elmcrest Banquets in Elmwood Park. For details, call 630-913-7654. The following profile was provided by the organization. Lyn Scolaro Professoressa Lyn Scolaro is the daughter of Veneto parents Mary (Cecchin-Galliera Veneta) and Attilio (Loreggia), sister to Lori (Robb) Vasilevich, and the proud ZiZi of Luc and Giuliana. She has been at Prospect High School for 28 years, and has been teaching Italian for 37 years, beginning her career at Mother Guerin High School in …

The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and Shrine commemorated the recent passing of the Rev. Peter Sordi with an 11 a.m. Mass on June 1. The Mass was concelebrated by local Scalabrini priests, with Bishop Lawrence Sabatini and the Rev. Nicholas Marro speaking during the services. (708-344-4140) Rev. Peter was born and ordained in Italy, accepting his first position as a parish priest at Holy Guardian Angels and Our Lady of Pompeii in 1946. He taught at Sacred Heart Seminary in Stone Park, served in various leadership roles on the provincial and general levels for the Scalabrini Fathers, and …