Community News

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans and Istituto Italiano di Cultura put Italy’s best foot forward on March 5 during Navy’s Pier’s Neighborhoods of the World celebration. What an appropriate name to promote all the diversity of Chicago. Our array of ethnic communities is presented for thousands of spectators who pass thru Navy Pier on any given Sunday from February thru April. Entertainment was presented on March 5 by the IIC and the JCCIA presents the cultural displays. For weeks prior to our day to shine, the JCCIA office was buzzing with costume fittings and other preparations. That day, …

A lynchpin of the Italian-American community desperately needs our help. Longtime community activist Emilio Scalzitti is in renal failure and his life depends on receiving a new kidney. Born and raised in the Mother Cabrini Parish, he became active in the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel soon after moving to Melrose Park in the 1980s. He ran the Knights of Columbus honor guard at the Feast of San Francesco for decades, and he currently serves as financial secretary for the San Rocco di Potenza Society. His blood type makes him a match for any donor. (773-413-7542)

Filomena Magrone will celebrate her 100th birthday this month surrounded by family and friends. She was born on May 14, 1917, in Carbonara, Bari, Puglia, to Nicola and Cecilia Muschio. In 1934, Gaetano Magrone began rounding up friends who could play musical instruments and showing up in front of her house to serenade her. They were married the next year. The couple moved to Chicago in 1966, eventually settling in Wood Dale. Gaetano was a baker by trade and Filomena was an exceptional cook, even working for a while jarring fruit and other food. They raised a family of 11 …

In life, John Mollo was a fan of donkeys, a beast of burden that played a pivotal role in the lives of his Calabrian ancestors. When he passed away in February 2017, his daughter decided to honor his memory by creating a foundation to protect the animal that her father so loved. “I’d like to establish a charitable organization that would raise money to be sent to facilities already involved in the hands-on rescue and day-to-day care of donkeys,” Stephany Mollo explains. She is seeking kindred spirits to join her in this cause. (708-946-3675)

State Rep. John D’Amico has voted to freeze lawmaker reimbursements and prevent a pay raise for politicians. “Politicians should not be receiving any sort of pay increase while middle-class families continue to struggle to get by,” D’Amico says. “With property taxes crunching the budgets of working families across the state, we should be focused on offering tax relief, not giving out perks to politicians.” D’Amico supported House Bill 643, which removes the automatic cost-of-living increase that state legislators are due in July. The measure also freezes reimbursement rates for travel, food and lodging on days lawmakers are in session in …

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca held his 16th annual clergy breakfast with spiritual leaders throughout the community to discuss his work in Springfield, as well as to address the concerns of the leaders and field their suggestions. “I always appreciate the opportunity to sit down and talk with them,” DeLuca says. “I am grateful that we have such great individuals who not only take the time to listen, but to offer advice and potential solutions that will help me as a legislator make the best decisions for families throughout my district.”

  Banking executive Peter Volpe was honored as Man of the Year and Stone Park Mayor Beniamino Mazzulla received a Chairman’s Special Recognition Award at Casa Italia’s 47th annual gala on April 22 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison.   Peter Volpe Casa Italia is proud to present its 2017 Person of the Year Award to banking executive Peter Volpe. “Whenever duty has called, Peter has answered,” says Casa Chairman John Ferrentino. “When he joins an organization, he puts his heart and soul into it and he always emerges as a leader.” Peter is the grandson of Salvatore and Josephine …

The first meeting of the 2017 term of JCCIA officers was called to order at Trattoria Poretta. Over 70 people were in attendance, representing Italian organizations throughout Chicagoland. Among them were the Italian Chamber of Commerce, UNICO, ARSA, Italian American War Veteran, Italian American Executives of Transportation, Italian American Human Relations Foundation, Justinian Society of Lawyers, Calabresi in America Organization, Società San Giovanni Bosco SS. Crocifisso di Ciminna, Elk Grove Sister Cities, and the JCCIA Women’s Division and Young Professionals Division. On the agenda for discussion was the Columbus Day Parade. 2017 Parade Chairman Sergio Giangrande was present. Giangrande is …

The Italian American Police Association honored a trio of worthy recipients at its 53rd annual dinner dance on Nov. 5 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. Accepting Man of the Year honors was attorney David Figlioli, co-founder and general partner at Morici, Figlioli & Associates. Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award was entertainment industry powerhouse Ron Onesti, founder and president of Onesti Entertainment. And accepting Humanitarian of the Year honors was Fr. Dan Brandt, director of the Chaplains Unit of the Chicago Police Department. Officer of the Year Awards were also bestowed.

State Rep. John D’Amico will continue to chair the House Committee on Transportation: Vehicles and Safety during the 100th General Assembly, while serving on a number of other issues critical to the state of Illinois. “As chairman of the Transportation: Vehicles and Safety committee, I will continue to focus on working with the Secretary of State’s Office to streamline and modernize services that keep motorists in Illinois safe,” D’Amico says. “I will also prioritize securing funding to improve our state’s infrastructure, which not only keeps motorists safe, but will create much-needed jobs for our community.”