Local News

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 …

The Consulate General of Italy in Chicago celebrated the 80th anniversary of la Festa della Repubblica in grand fashion on June 4 at the Chicago History Museum. The event was spearheaded by Consul General Mario Bartoli and his staff with the support and involvement of the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago, Italian Trade Agency, Italian National Tourist Board, Italian American Chamber of Commerce Midwest, and other local and regional authorities, as well as a host of sponsors. More than 400 leaders from both sides of the Atlantic packed the Morse Genius Chicago Room at the CHM and poured out onto …

Ballet Légere will hold auditions for its 41st annual production of “The Nutcracker” on Aug. 8 and 9 at Légere Dance Centre in River Forest. Parts are available for girls and boys, gymnasts and tumblers and male and female dancers, both teen and adult, for pointe and non-pointe roles. Callbacks will be announced Aug. 15 and 16 and held Aug. 17-31. Ballet Légere has been performing “The Nutcracker” annually under the direction of Donna Vittorio since 1985. For more information, call 773-237-1874, balletlegere@yahoo.com.

More than a century of close ties binds Rockford, Illinois, and Ferentino, Italy. That bond was made official when they became Sister Cities two decades ago. State, city and county proclamations have recognized this milestone. Mayors Larry Morrissey of Rockford and Piergianni Fiorletta of Ferentino signed the official Sister City documents in May 2006. Nine officials from Ferentino’s city council and the city’s arts and cultural organization traveled to Rockford for the ceremony and a busy week of meetings and festivities. Ferentino is an ancient-yet-modern city of 21,000 people located 45 minutes southeast of Rome. It is rich with Roman …

Casa Italia presented its 22nd annual IA Literati authors exposition on May 23. The event was chaired by Anna Weiss and emceed by Frank Di Piero. Lou Bruno, author of “The Love of San Demetrio,” talked about his transformative journey to his ancestral home to research his novel. Former Loyola University professor Carla Simonini shared insights from her scholarly dissertation “Traveling Italy, Writing America” and Oak Park’s Mike Rosanova read from his autobiography, “Big Brains and Broken Hearts.” Leah Eskin, longtime food writer for the Chicago Tribune, spoke about her debut novel, “Like Wafers in Honey.” It follows the parallel …

Everybody loves a summer festival, and this month features a treasure trove of Italian-themed outdoor celebrations. Buon divertimento! AUGUST 1 FESTA FUORI at the Mazzini Verdi Club in Franklin Park is sponsored by the Mazzini Verdi Ladies Club. Dubbed “Una Serata di Ballo,” the event features cocktails at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m. and entertainment by DJ Alex. (630-443-8722, 773-589-0388) JULY 31-AUGUST 2 FESTA ITALIANA at Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford is sponsored by the Greater Rockford Italian American Association. The event features food and beverages for sale, live entertainment, and activities for children and adults. For …

  One of the most thrilling and glamorous events in the Chicago-area Italian-American community is the contest to determine who will reign as La Bella Regina of the Columbus Day Parade. “Few events in the community can match the pageantry of the annual Columbus Day Queen pageant,” says Ron Onesti, president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. “The queen will be the star of the Italian community for a year’s reign.” Sponsored by the JCCIA, this year’s pageant will be held at 6 p.m. on July 29 at the Des Plaines Theatre. The event will be chaired by …