Community News

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans presented ABC7 Vice President and News Director Jennifer Graves with its prestigious Dante Award at its annual media luncheon. The honor is bestowed each year on a member of the media who lives up to Dante Alighieri’s call to be no timid friend to truth. A member of the ABC7 team since 1992 and its news director since 2001, Graves has earned numerous journalism awards. She has been a major contributor to the station’s cutting-edge technological advances, including the recent installation of ABC7’s state-of-the art news set; an all-digital newsroom; high-definition news; and …

The Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization honored John McCallion as Humanitarian of the Year at its annual Honor and Hope Gala on April 16 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. More than a dozen scholarships were presented at the event, along with donations to a wounded veteran and other worthy causes. McCallion grew up in Cicero, graduating from Morton East High School, Northern Illinois University and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. A financial adviser for Ameriprise for the last 30 years, he currently serves as the company’s managing director. He and his wife, Rosanne, have two …

Elmwood Park real estate broker Jonathan Zivojnovic stepped up to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at the organization’s annual installation gala. “I have served as president and chairperson for many other groups, and I must say that this is a role I have been looking forward to for many years,” Zivojnovic says. A member since 2008, Zivojnovic joined for the networking opportunity and quickly discovered that the club represented so much more. “The brotherhood and camaraderie among the members is like nothing else, and they do wonderful charity work,” he explains. In addition to working his way …

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society gave generously to the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry at its holiday party at the Park Ridge Country Club on Dec. 1. Society President Dr. Frank Maggio and President-Elect Dr. Russell Spinazze (pictured, left and right) presented Dean Clark Stanford with a $2,000 donation to the college’s Group Practice Clinic Renovation Fund. The gift will help introduce new technology into the Group Practice Clinics. “We supported the school not only because we realize it needs financial help at this time, but more importantly, because the future of the profession is being created …

State Rep. John C. D’Amico is backing legislation to create an elected board for the Chicago Public Schools, and he is leading a petition drive urging politicians to take immediate action. House Bill 4268 would create a board of 13 elected positions from four different regions. The bill would ensure accessibility by requiring that 50 percent of the meetings be held after business hours, giving working parents an opportunity to attend. Currently, the Chicago Board of Education consists of seven appointed members. D’Amico will be sending out petitions throughout his district demanding that the General Assembly pass this legislation.

    The Italian American Executives of Transportation held their 2015 Dinner Dance at Alta Villa Banquets on Nov. 22, 2015. Despite the snow, more than 600 were in attendance, making it once again one of the largest dinner dances of the year. The IAET honored Ron Onesti, president of Onesti Entertainment, as Man of the Year. A titan in the Italian American community and entertainment industry, Ron generously donates his time and talents locally while entertaining audiences across the country. Lou “Sonny” Nicotera was honored as Humanitarian of the Year. Sonny is one of the finest gentlemen you will …

Società San Giovanni Bosco SS. Crocifisso di Ciminna honored Vito P. Cali as Man of the Year at its dinner dance on March 5 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. A longtime leader of the Chicago-area Italian American community and standout agent for State Farm Insurance, Cali served as the society’s first president. “We’re honoring Vito because of his contributions to our society and because of his accomplishments both professionally and within the community,” says society President Tony Napoli. The son of Filippo and Vita Maria (Campagna) Cali, Vito was born in Ciminna, Sicily, and came to America with his …

Casa Italia honored Stefani Restaurant Group Vice President Claudio Ulivieri as Person of the Year at its 2016 Gala on Feb. 20 at Alta Villa Banquets. When he started as a kitchen worker at Stefani’s on Fullerton Avenue, Claudio Ulivieri gave it one week to see how things would work out. After all, he’d just arrived from Italy, spoke little English and placed his bets on a restaurant that had been open only two weeks. In fact, Claudio postponed any pay until the Stefani family — Phil and his uncle Lino — graded his efforts. Little did anyone know that …

Angelo Castanza Jr. took over as president of the Calabresi in America Organization at CIAO’s annual installation dinner in November. Castanza was brought into the organization in 2001 by the indefatigable Joe Bruno. Once involved, he was hooked. “It is the one place other than my family where I feel I completely belong,” he explains. Castanza has risen through the ranks of CIAO officers over the last several years, and has served on the board of directors, advisory board and golf outing committee. He has played the part of Santa at the organization’s Christmas party since 2003. “I see my …

Anthony Guida took over as president of the Italian American Labor Council of Greater Chicago in January 2015. A member since 2007 and a director since 2008, Guida was drawn to the organization by what it represents and accomplishes, and the sense of family and charity that the organization fosters. “Our mission is to help Italian Americans succeed in labor and I feel that we do that,” he says. “It’s a great group of people who have a good time when we get together, and we enjoy helping other people like De Paul’s Labor Education Center, City of Hope and …