Community

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 …

Samuel J. Cascio, D.D.S., received the Marshall H. Smulson D.D.S. Humanitarian Award at the Ed Kelly 41st annual Giant Awards in June. A U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II, Dr. Cascio earned his D.D.S. degree from Loyola University. He has held leadership positions in the Chicago Dental Society, the Academy of General Dentistry on the state and local level, the Arcolian Dental Arts Society, the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Loyola School of Dentistry. Dr. Cascio has been honored by St. Mary’s University, Loyola, the Illinois State Dental Society and the Knights of Columbus to …

  This year marked another great feast in honor of Saint Joseph at Dominican University. Under the supervision of Prof. Tonia Triggiano, students and volunteers fed more than 200 people, raising a record-breaking $1,195, which was gifted to Catholic Charities. Such foods as gelato, fine cheeses, pastas and Italian sweets were donated by local kitchens and eating establishments. None of it would be possible without the collaborative help of the students, faculty, staff and alumni who call themselves “Gli Amici di San Giuseppe.” The Dominican University community played a big role in putting together the table. Michael Meranda, a Dominican …

  At our annual celebration honoring the Italian students inducted into the National Honor Society, “Società Onoraria Italica-Sezione Cristoforo Colombo,” the Prospect High School Italian Program showcased the hard work of students at Prospect High and St. Raymond’s and honored members and organizations in the community who share the passion of Italian with the Italian students at Prospect. The Copernico exchange students from Verona and Prospect teamed up with the SOAR Program at Fairview to send the beloved children’s book character Flat Stanley to Verona over the holidays. The SOAR children were presented with a framed collage of photos of …

  What a fabulous year the American Association of Teachers of Italian-Midwest Chapter has had! Our current membership stands at 50 with an increased number of 16 from 2014. Four of these members are from Indiana and Ohio. There are ommittees currently in progress working on an Immersion Day scheduled for February, 2016, in collaboration with College of DuPage and to create a “Why Take Italian?” brochure for parents and students in the middle school. On November 7, 2014, the AATI-Midwest held its second annual Fall Conference, “Oltre ai Limiti,” with partial sponsorship by Italidea-Midwest. There were 39 colleagues from …

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 …

THE FEAST OF BEATO GIOVANNI LICCIO at Casa Italia in Stone Park is sponsored by Società Beato Giovanni Liccio di Caccamo. Festivities culminate on July 26 with a noon Mass followed by a procession with the Sicilian Band of Chicago and a family festival featuring food, live entertainment and activities for children. A coroncina and Mass will be celebrated at Cappella Beato Giovanni in Chicago from July 19 to 24. (Tony Sapienza, 630-935-6998)