Community

    The IL/WI Grand Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America held its 46th biennial convention in June. Elected to the Grand Council were Marie Marsalli, president; Frank Schiro, first vice president; Maria Mancini, second vice president; Richard Della Croce, immediate past president; James LasCola, orator; Judith Simoni, recording secretary; John Simoni, financial secretary; Carl Busateri, treasurer; Elia Kress, historian; the Rev. John Belmonte, chaplain; and Margurite Rowley, Christine Della Croce, Joseph Dentice and Anna DeLuca, trustees. Recently elected lodge presidents include Giacomo Mancini, Bert Jacobson, Anthony DiMiele, Joseph Emanuele, Ben Todaro, Leonard DePasquale and Paul Loparco. …

  Chicago was blessed with two Festa della Repubblica celebrations this year, with the first being held on May 31 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii. The Pompeii event has the distinction of being the only such celebration in America that involved a parade through the streets of the city. Following a Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, hundreds of participants made their way down Taylor Street for a wreath-laying ceremony at Garibaldi Park, at which World War II veteran Adelco D’ascezo was honored.

  Gina Ann Biasiello received her doctor of physical therapy degree from Marymount University in Arlington, Va., in May. She previously received her bachelor of science degree in biology from Loyola University Chicago and her master of science degree in biology from Northeastern Illinois University. She is presently finishing her clinical studies at the Woodbine Facility in Alexandria, Va. The daughter Dr. and Mrs. Michael Biasiello of Arlington Heights, Gina is pictured here with her brothers, Michael Jr. and Dominic.  

The John R. Mott Scholarship Foundation of Washington, D.C., held its annual award ceremony and reception on June 19 at the Principessa Hotel in Campara San Giovanni, Cosenza, Calabria. At the ceremony, 148 academic scholarships were awarded to students from all over the region. The foundation has awarded more than 1,500 scholarships for higher education since 2001 to the young men and women of Calabria. Criteria for the scholarship include academic achievement, financial need and a commitment to using the benefits of their education to make a contribution to the region. (www.mottscholarship.org)  

To help keep local roads safe, state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, passed legislation this week expanding the use of alcohol-detecting ignition locks ensuring that DUI offenders cannot get behind the wheel intoxicated again. “Too many innocent lives are put at risk by the reckless decisions of those who choose to drive while intoxicated,” D’Amico said. “I want to make sure that DUI offenders will be monitored and reported to the authorities should they continue to make such dangerous decisions.” D’Amico introduced Senate Bill 627 in the House, which increases the use of Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices (BAIID) for DUI …

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, recently passed legislation prohibiting counties and municipalities from charging residents for using emergency services related to their disabilities or cases of domestic violence. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes,” DeLuca said. “While crime free housing was designed to make it easier for landlords to terminate leases due to criminal activity, it should not be used as a way for cities and counties to make money in emergency situations.” There are over 100 counties and municipalities across the state that allow “crime free” or “nuisance” property ordinances. Complexes under these ordinances work with …

State Rep. John D’Amico passed legislation aimed at helping law enforcement keep better track of plates on the road by creating a universal special license plate. The Universal Special License Plate created by House Bill 1081 will have a space on the plate for each organization’s unique decal. Current specialty plates will remain as long as the number of applicants remains above 2,000. If the number of applicants for the plates falls below 1,000 for two calendar years, the plates will be exchanged for universal plates. All military plates will be exempt from these terms. The bill awaits consideration by …

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca recently passed House Bill 113 prohibiting state officials from making funding announcements immediately before a general election. Under current law, state officials are prohibited during the ‘blackout’ period before an election from using their name, image or voice on any type of correspondence using taxpayer money. This prohibition includes using taxpayer money to distribute promotional materials, including mail to constituents, about new laws or upcoming votes. DeLuca’s legislation would extend this ‘blackout’ to include publically announcing grants and contracts awarded as well. The bill passed the house unanimously and has been sent to the Senate for …

  Aubry Bozzano and Sofia Console were crowned Miss Illinois United States and Little Miss Illinois United States respectively at a March pageant at the Copernicus Center in Chicago. The daughter of Anthony and Sherry Bozzano, 28-year-old Aubry lives in Chicago and manages integrated marketing campaigns for clients at a downtown ad agency. “I felt so honored among all of the other delegates to be chosen as the representative,” she says. “It was all a blur when it happen, but it shows hard work and determination pay off. I couldn’t be more excited to represent my state.” Aubry attended Mother …

  Close your eyes. Now imagine your child dressed in the most beautiful fairy costume, dancing and twirling among the flowers, nestled in a life sized bird’s nest, playing in the turret of a stone castle or peaking out from behind a magical tree. Now imagine having that moment gracing the pages of a beautiful calendar. Do not miss this once-of-a-kind opportunity to have your child photographed as a fairy. The portrait sessions for the Beautiful Things with WINGS 2016 calendar will take place June 15-19 and July 14-17. The portraits will be created in various gardens throughout the Northwest …