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In honor of Italian American Heritage Month, Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II, the Italian American Judges Association, the Justinian Society of Lawyers and the judges of the Circuit Court of Cook County will host a tour of the Richard J. Daley Center. the main courthouse of the Circuit Court of Cook County. The tour will start at 9 a.m. on Oct. 7. Check-in is at 8:45 a.m. at the Randolph and Clark entrance of the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago. Participants will learn about the trial process and the legal system, visit a courtroom to observe a trial …

Gabriella Gariti Gabriella Gariti was crowned queen of the 2026 Columbus Day Parade at a glittering pageant on July 29 at the Des Plaines Theatre. Sponsored by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, the event was chaired by Rose Mary Ranallo, president of the JCCIA Women’s Division, and emceed by Ron Onesti, president of the JCCIA. Excitement radiated from family members, friends, community leaders and other attendees, and the young women were perfect examples of confidence, courage and leadership. “You are all winners tonight,” Onesti assured them. “We are grateful to each of you.” A graduate of St. Francis High School …

The pulse of Chicago’s vibrant Italian-American community was palpable at the Mazzini Verdi Club in Franklin Park on July 18, when the Harlem Avenue Little Italy Business Association hosted its first annual business awards banquet. The evening’s primary honors went to two steadfast advocates for the neighborhood, Elmwood Park Mayor Angelo “Skip” Saviano and Chicago Alderman Nick Sposato. Both men were recognized for their tireless public service and their commitment to preserving the cultural and economic vitality of the Harlem Avenue enclave. Perhaps the most emotional moment of the night came during a surprise presentation. The room erupted in applause …

A year ago, when I first envisioned a memorial to honor the victims of the 1896 Gilorma Mill landslide in Alessandria del Carretto, where my great uncle Alessandro Arvia perished, it existed only as a quiet hope, born from love for a town and its history. That hope was also shaped by my family’s journey: The Arvia family immigrated to Chicago, carrying with them memories of Alessandria del Carretto and the stories of those lost. Today, that hope stands in stone. What began as a heartfelt idea has grown into a community triumph shaped by generosity, determination and a commitment …

The International Voices Project will present an English language stage reading of “Hide and Seek” by Italian playwright Tobia Rossi at 6 p.m. on Oct. 13 at the Cervantes Theater in Chicago. The free performance will be followed by a complimentary reception and conversation with the playwright as well as Laura Caparrotti, founder of In Scena!, the largest Italian theater company in America. According to publicity provided by the IVP, the play, “looks at the dangerous power of social media and how vulnerable young minds can be to loud, discriminatory voices around them. Set in a small town in Italy, …

OCTOBER 2/9/16/23/30 Who: Casa Italia What: Essential Italian-American film series Where: Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia (Stone Park) Time: 7 p.m. Cost: Free (donations appreciated) Contact: 708-345-593 Details: “Pane Amaro” on Oct. 2; “The Italian Americans, Part I” on Oct. 9; “The Italian Americans, Part II” on Oct. 16; “And They Came to Chicago: The Italian American Legacy” and “5,000 Miles From Home” on Oct. 23; “Prisoners Among Us” on Oct. 30. OCTOBER 3 Who: American Italian Cultural Society What: 97th Columbus Day Banquet Where: Holiday Inn & Suites (Joliet) Time: 6 p.m. Cost: $75 per person (cash bar) Contact: 815-585-5854 …

The Global Penitent, a Substack blog focused on Catholic history and traditions, has ranked the Feast of Maria SS. Lauretana among the top 10 Italian feasts in the country. “A distinctive feature is the ‘Flight of the Angels,’ a tradition brought from Sicily dating back centuries,” the post notes. “This dramatic ceremony has become the feast’s signature event. This feast is one of two that still maintain this tradition.” During the flight, young girls dressed as angels are suspended above an enthroned painting of the Madonna and Child, where they sing a song of praise to her in Italian. Celebrating …

U.S. Forest Service veteran Adam Bianchi has been appointed general superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County following nomination by Forest Preserves President Toni Preckwinkle and approval by the Board of Commissioners. “Over the last 15 years, the Cook County forest preserves has transformed as an institution, becoming a leader in ecological restoration in a highly developed landscape, in connecting a diverse population to the wonders of nature, and in operations and transparency,” Preckwinkle said. “Adam Bianchi’s experience, energy and perspective are an outstanding fit as general superintendent for the next chapter of the preserves.” Prior to his current …

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society board unanimously voted to hold most of its 2026-2027 meetings at Casa Italia in Stone Park. “It’s conveniently located for our membership, but more significantly, we feel it’s important to support the Casa by having our meetings at this historic venue, our cultural center,” says Arcolian President Dr. Charles Martello. “The room is wonderful and it fits our membership perfectly, and the Casa offers four fantastic caterers to choose from, so it’s a win-win situation.” For more, click here.

Michelle DiSilvestro has been named senior attorney at the Chicago-based law firm of Romanucci & Blandin. In that role, she focuses her practice on medical malpractice and other complex catastrophic-injury matters, including wrongful death and serious personal-injury cases. An attorney at the firm since 2021, DiSilvestro has served as a co-chair of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Young Lawyers’ Division for the past three years and is a member of the Justinian Society of Lawyers Executive Committee, where she has served a three-year term. She earned her juris doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Illinois Chicago School of …