Local News

The warm smell of garlic was in the air, olive oil flowed through the street, the sounds of Sinatra were on the lips of tens of thousands, and the 2025 edition of the Taylor Street Little Italy Festa is now in the record books. So many folks with roots in Chicago’s original Little Italy came back to the old neighborhood to celebrate all things Italian and Italian American. Five stages of entertainment included The Bronx Wanderers from Las Vegas; Tricia Danieli from Miami; Vanessa Racci from New York City; Eros—The Tenor from Cinque Terre; America’s Tenor Christopher Macchio; Mario Bosco …

This past Labor Day weekend, the 125th Annual Feast of Maria SS. Lauretana returned to Niles for a milestone celebration. Over three days, record-breaking crowds filled the festival grounds. Visitors from throughout the country, travelers from Italy and countless Chicagoland families came together to honor a devotion that has endured for more than a century. What began at St. Philip Benizi Parish in Chicago’s Little Sicily has grown into one of the Midwest’s most cherished Italian festivals. When Sicilian immigrants from Altavilla Milicia first celebrated their devotion to Maria SS. Lauretana, they sought not only to honor their Blessed Mother …

Festa Italiana stormed Villa Cesare from July 25-27, delivering a celebration of Italian culture that left a lasting mark. This free-entry fest, now a northwest Indiana staple, drew thousands, immersing them in the spirit of Italy through food, music, culture and competition. Foodies embarked on a culinary odyssey featuring Daddy’s Pizza, Izzy’s Italian Ice, Rosebud Steakhouse, Coppolillo’s Italian Steakhouse, Battista’s Artisan Pizzeria, Ammirato’s Meatball Cafe, Joey’s Concessions, Ciao Bella Ristorante and Crumbles: A Bake Shop. The Italian American Women’s Club of Lake County added homemade pizzelles, biscotti and pasta, elevating the authentic flavors. A 12-team bocce tournament showcased skill and …

Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino, the bishop of Assisi, Italy, and curator of the tomb and relics of Carlo Acutis, was in town in July as part of a national tour to spotlight the life and legacy of the renowned teen, who used technology to evangelize before dying of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. Acutis was beatified on Oct. 10, 2020, and canonized on Sept. 7 of this year. The archbishop celebrated masses and offered public venerations of a relic of Acutis at two Chicago parishes: on July 15 at Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish (St. Hedwig Church), the only …

The Italian Sons and Daughters of America celebrated its 47th Biennial National Convention from Aug. 9-12 at the Omni Chicago Hotel. Led by President Basil M. Russo, ISDA members from districts across Indiana/Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio/Michigan, New Jersey, West Virginia and Louisiana gathered to celebrate Italian American heritage and strengthen fraternal ties. The convention kicked off with a heartfelt Mass by Fr. Robert C. Rizzo of Holy Archangels Parish in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, who shared humorous stories from his Italian childhood. U.S. Rep. Mike Rulli, co-chair of the Italian American Congressional Delegation, delivered a powerful keynote, reflecting on his …

The Des Plaines Theatre was once again transformed into fashion week in New York for the Columbus Day Queen contest, hosted on Aug. 19 by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. Stadium-style seats were replaced with an expansive stage and runway flanked by chairs filled with audience members. Ava Amelio emerged from the competition with this year’s crown. A former National Honor Society member, Amelio is a student at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she is studying international business and political communication. A proud member of Alpha Phi, she is passionate about empowering women. As a …

Thirty-One Days of Italians has released its 2025 List, honoring extraordinary people of Italian heritage who significantly influenced the history and development of America. The project was launched in 2006, with a list being provided annually for the month of October. The first day in October honors the Italian immigrant and the last day is set aside to honor someone not on the list. Honorary members are on the List every year and include Fr. Pietro Bandini, Constantino Brumidi, Mother Francis Cabrini, Enrico Caruso, Christopher Columbus, Enrico Fermi, Amadeo Pietro Giannini, Guglielmo Marconi, Filippo Mazzei, Antonio Meucci, Maria Montessori, Andrea Palladio, Antonio Pasin, …

The Italian American Police Association will honor Niles Police Chief Joseph Romano on Oct. 4 at Chateau Ritz in Niles. The IAPA will also honor Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department Chief of Police Leo Schmitz (Police Officer of the Year Award), Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Chris Southwood (Lifetime Achievement Award), and attorney David Petrich and businessman and philanthropist Dr. Willie Wilson (Special Recognition Award). The following profile was provided by the IAPA. Niles Police Chief Joseph Romano Joseph Romano grew up in the Niles area and attended Nelson Elementary School and Gemini Junior High School in …

The Italian American Labor Council of Greater Chicago will honor labor leader Dan Allen on Oct. 11 at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. Allen has served since 2013 as executive director of Construction Industry Service Corp., a labor-management association representing 140,000 union workers and 8,000 union contractors across six counties. He is the chair of the DuPage Workforce Development Board and serves on the board of the Chicago Building Congress, Choose DuPage, Workers Compensation Research Institute, and Gateway to Learning, which provides lifelong learning for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For event details, click here.    

The library at Casa Italia hosted two presentations this spring by Dino Fabrizi, an Italian architect who possesses in-depth knowledge about ancient Roman architecture and design. Fabrizi’s first presentation focused on Rome then and now, exploring the extent to which the city has remained the same despite centuries of change. He revealed how much of ancient Rome’s infrastructure is still standing and even functional, from its roads and theaters to its aqueducts, drainage systems and baths. Some places have found new life, he noted, becoming something else while retaining their original vocation. In his second presentation, Fabrizi discussed the important …