Community News

The Italian American Political Coalition honored Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert Thomas on March 9 at Elmcrest Banquets in Elmwood Park. Thomas was elected a judge of the Circuit Court of DuPage County in 1988, serving as acting chief judge from 1989 to 1994. He was elected to the Appellate Court, Second District, in 1994 and was sworn in as an Illinois Supreme Court justice for the Second District in 2000, serving as chief justice from 2005 to 2008. Robert R. Thomas was born on Aug. 7, 1952, in Rochester, N.Y. He received his bachelor of arts in government from …

  Bravo to Salvatore Sciacca, Executive Director and Founder the Chicago Italian American Professionals (CIAP) for holding a first-of-its-kind and delicious event to celebrate the Sicilian Fig Cookie called cuccidati. The First Annual La Festa dei Cuccidati was the idea of Michael A. Benedetto, a Dupage County attorney, created to recognize individuals who have  preserved the tradition of making Cuccidati as well as highlighting local bakeries that still produce it. All proceeds from the event went to Casa Italia. Cuccidati is a traditional Sicilian Christmas cookie. It is a crumbly, butter pastry dough filled with a rich and sweet filling of …

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 …

  The sun shined brightly on the 2016 Columbus Day Parade, which attracted one of the largest and most enthusiastic crowds in recent memory. The weather was glorious and the spectators stood five deep along State Street all the way from Monroe to Wacker. Buses filled with volunteers and parade goers left the grounds of Casa Italia in the early morning for the Mass, with a second wave departing later in the morning and heading directly for the parade. The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii was filled to capacity for the Mass, the altar was gorgeous with bouquets of flowers, …

  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.”  

  Celebrating its 92nd Annual Columbus Banquet, the Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin, Order Sons of Italy in America hosted the event at Villa Brunetti, Franklin Park, Illinois on October 8, 2016. Maria Mancini, Columbus Banquet Chair, welcomed the guests and introduced the Master of Ceremony for the evening, the Honorable Anthony Caldarone, Mayor of Forest Park, Illinois. The MC introduced the Grand Lodge Officers, our honored award recipients, the Consul General of Italy, and the Columbus Day Queen as they entered the hall. Highlighting the evening were the presentations of the 2016 Humanitarian Award and the Columbus Patriot Award. In …

    An enthusiastic crowd was held spellbound by Medal of Honor recipient Allen James Lynch during a special presentation hosted by the Italian American Veterans Museum. More than 100 attendees, many of them veterans, flocked to the Community Center at Casa Italia on Nov. 14 to share an evening with a true American hero. As an Army sergeant during the Vietnam War, Lynch earned the nation’s highest military decoration while saving the lives of three wounded comrades on the field of battle. The evening was passionately moderated by IAVM Memorabilia Curator Steve Corbo. After calling World War II Veteran …