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Antonio M. Romanucci and Frank A. Sommario are among several attorneys at the Chicago law firm of Romanucci & Blandin to be hailed recently by their peers. A principal and partner at the firm, Romanucci has been named to the prestigious “Top 100” list in Illinois for 2017 by Super Lawyers Magazine. This is the 11th consecutive year that Romanucci has been recognized as a “Top 100” attorney and the 13th consecutive year he has been selected to the list of Illinois Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers Magazine identifies the nation’s top attorneys through a process of peer selection and review, …

Dr. Luisa DiPietro, a professor of periodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. AAAS fellows are selected by their peers in recognition of significant advances made in the sciences. The director of the UIC Center for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration and the associate chancellor for research, DiPietro studies the process of wound healing and tissue regeneration following injury. She and her coworkers have discovered several key factors that dictate whether wounds heal perfectly or with scars.

Dr. Anna Manzotti, a clinical assistant professor of restorative dentistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, earned a Teaching Recognition Program (TRC) Award from the UIC Center for the Advancement of Teaching-Learning Communities. “Dr. Manzotti’s teaching is an excellent example of the high quality of instruction that characterizes the best of UIC,” says Dr. Maria Varelas, director of the center. The TRC considered student feedback, peer reviews, mentoring of students, curriculum development, impactful and innovative teaching, and other factors. Faculty “have to demonstrate clinical and professional excellence to inspire students to achieve high standards,” according to …

  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.”

Dr. Joe Baldassano was named Arcolian of the Year at the Arcolian Dental Arts Society’s annual Christmas party at the Park Ridge Country Club. The award was presented by Arcolian President Dr. Russ Spinazze and past President Dr. Michael Biasiello. An active Arcolian member for over 28 years, Baldassano has served on the board and in every executive post, including president, and has been active with the Chicago Dental Society as well. He currently serves as president of the Northwest Suburban Branch. “This award was very personal and meaningful to me because my father, son and other family members have …

Chicago attorney Patrick Salvi has been selected by his peers from among 96,000 lawyers in Illinois to the Illinois Super Lawyers Top 10 List for 2017. This is the fourth year in a row that he has received the honor. He was recently selected by Best Lawyers as the 2017 Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs in the Chicago area. And in 2016, he was named to three of Leading Lawyers Magazine’s top 10 lists, including Top 10 Leading Lawyers in Illinois in All Areas of Law. Salvi is a founder of and managing partner at …

The Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization honored Louis Scaramuzzo as Humanitarian of the Year on April 29 at Medinah Shrine Center in Addison.  A top performer in the luxury automobile market for three decades, Lou pours his heart and soul into every aspect of his life. With paternal grandparents Louis and Immaculata Scaramuzzo hailing from Caserta near Naples, and maternal grandparents Carmelo and Rosina Termine emigrating from Marsala in Sicily, Lou’s Italian roots run deep. The oldest Peter and Mary Scaramuzzo for children, Lou was born in Chicago and raised in Oak Lawn. “My parents grew up on Taylor Street …