Local News

The Justinian Society of Lawyers donated $4,000 each to Bear Necessities and Pro Bono Network at its 14th annual Children’s Endowment Fund dinner. Created by the Justinians during the presidency of Antonio M. Romanucci to assist disabled and disadvantaged children, the fund has made donations to causes such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, Illinois Eye Institute, and Ronald McDonald House. A principal and partner of Romanucci & Blandin, Romanucci serves as president of the CEF. Serving as treasurer is Frank A. Sommario, a fellow partner at Romanucci & Blandin and president-elect of the Justinians. “This year the Justinian Society was extremely proud …

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans presented ABC7 Vice President and News Director Jennifer Graves with its prestigious Dante Award at its annual media luncheon. The honor is bestowed each year on a member of the media who lives up to Dante Alighieri’s call to be no timid friend to truth. A member of the ABC7 team since 1992 and its news director since 2001, Graves has earned numerous journalism awards. She has been a major contributor to the station’s cutting-edge technological advances, including the recent installation of ABC7’s state-of-the art news set; an all-digital newsroom; high-definition news; and …

The Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization honored John McCallion as Humanitarian of the Year at its annual Honor and Hope Gala on April 16 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. More than a dozen scholarships were presented at the event, along with donations to a wounded veteran and other worthy causes. McCallion grew up in Cicero, graduating from Morton East High School, Northern Illinois University and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. A financial adviser for Ameriprise for the last 30 years, he currently serves as the company’s managing director. He and his wife, Rosanne, have two …

Elmwood Park real estate broker Jonathan Zivojnovic stepped up to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at the organization’s annual installation gala. “I have served as president and chairperson for many other groups, and I must say that this is a role I have been looking forward to for many years,” Zivojnovic says. A member since 2008, Zivojnovic joined for the networking opportunity and quickly discovered that the club represented so much more. “The brotherhood and camaraderie among the members is like nothing else, and they do wonderful charity work,” he explains. In addition to working his way …

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society gave generously to the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry at its holiday party at the Park Ridge Country Club on Dec. 1. Society President Dr. Frank Maggio and President-Elect Dr. Russell Spinazze (pictured, left and right) presented Dean Clark Stanford with a $2,000 donation to the college’s Group Practice Clinic Renovation Fund. The gift will help introduce new technology into the Group Practice Clinics. “We supported the school not only because we realize it needs financial help at this time, but more importantly, because the future of the profession is being created …

State Rep. John C. D’Amico is backing legislation to create an elected board for the Chicago Public Schools, and he is leading a petition drive urging politicians to take immediate action. House Bill 4268 would create a board of 13 elected positions from four different regions. The bill would ensure accessibility by requiring that 50 percent of the meetings be held after business hours, giving working parents an opportunity to attend. Currently, the Chicago Board of Education consists of seven appointed members. D’Amico will be sending out petitions throughout his district demanding that the General Assembly pass this legislation.

    The Italian American Executives of Transportation held their 2015 Dinner Dance at Alta Villa Banquets on Nov. 22, 2015. Despite the snow, more than 600 were in attendance, making it once again one of the largest dinner dances of the year. The IAET honored Ron Onesti, president of Onesti Entertainment, as Man of the Year. A titan in the Italian American community and entertainment industry, Ron generously donates his time and talents locally while entertaining audiences across the country. Lou “Sonny” Nicotera was honored as Humanitarian of the Year. Sonny is one of the finest gentlemen you will …

Società San Giovanni Bosco SS. Crocifisso di Ciminna honored Vito P. Cali as Man of the Year at its dinner dance on March 5 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. A longtime leader of the Chicago-area Italian American community and standout agent for State Farm Insurance, Cali served as the society’s first president. “We’re honoring Vito because of his contributions to our society and because of his accomplishments both professionally and within the community,” says society President Tony Napoli. The son of Filippo and Vita Maria (Campagna) Cali, Vito was born in Ciminna, Sicily, and came to America with his …

  Katherine Amari O’Dell and Joseph F. Locallo III have joined their illustrious fathers as partners at the Law Offices of Amari & Locallo. O’Dell graduated from Queen of All Saints Grade School, Regina Dominican High School, Northern Illinois University and The John Marshall Law School. A former assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for three years, she has served as the senior associate of Amari & Locallo since 2000. Married to Jason E. O’Dell and the mother of Jason Eric O’Dell Jr., she and her family live on the Northwest Side of Chicago. Locallo graduated from Queen of All Saints …

Casa Italia honored Stefani Restaurant Group Vice President Claudio Ulivieri as Person of the Year at its 2016 Gala on Feb. 20 at Alta Villa Banquets. When he started as a kitchen worker at Stefani’s on Fullerton Avenue, Claudio Ulivieri gave it one week to see how things would work out. After all, he’d just arrived from Italy, spoke little English and placed his bets on a restaurant that had been open only two weeks. In fact, Claudio postponed any pay until the Stefani family — Phil and his uncle Lino — graded his efforts. Little did anyone know that …