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Chicago attorney Jim Morici knows the importance of a safe workplace and community. A founding partner in the law firm Morici, Longo & Associates, he has been fighting for the rights of injured workers and accident victims for more than three decades. The firm’s attorneys took swift action to put office safety protocols in place during the pandemic, but they saw an opportunity to do more. They’ve kicked into high gear on several charitable fronts, donating thousands of dollars to the Illinois Food Bank, Greater Chicago Food Depository and Maine Township Food Pantry, in addition to $10,000 to the American …

This year’s IA Literati seminar was held as a virtual gathering on June 13. The event was different from any of the previous 16 instalments, according to Professor Dominic Candeloro, curator of the Florence Roselli library in the Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia. “Authors could not gather in person due to COVID-19 so we were presented with the challenge of meeting electronically over Zoom. I must say that we all missed gathering together but we were able to expand the scope of the event beyond the Chicago area to across the country and to Italy, with more than 100 …

Ever since the pandemic set in, professionals around the world have given their time and talents to the ongoing battle against the coronavirus. For Peter Argondizzo, president of Argo Translations Inc., words are the weapon of choice. “We’ve translated a series of COVID-19-related safety posters, and we’ve made them available for free on the internet,” Argondizzo explains. “We’ve posted the CDC guidelines and related information on our website in 14 languages. Just choose a language, and we’ll ship you a PDF. Italian is one of the languages, of course!” (argotrans.com/covid-19)  

Attorneys Leonard Amari and John Locallo have been voted among the top 10 real estate tax lawyers in Illinois by Leading Lawyer magazine. Amari is the founder and co-managing partner of Amari & Locallo, and Locallo is a partner in the firm. Amari was ranked No. 3 and Locallo No. 9 based on peer recommendation and approval by the Leading Lawyer advisory board. With offices in Cook and DuPage counties, Amari & Locallo has dedicated its practice exclusively to reducing real estate taxes and related matters. Both Amari and Locallo have served as president of the Justinian Society of Lawyers …

During a typical summer, Carlo Vaniglia attends patron saint celebrations almost every weekend. With most of them cancelled due to the coronavirus, Vaniglia has hatched a groundbreaking way to spend his newfound free time. “I thought, ‘Why not gather in front of the Columbus statue in Arrigo Park to show our support for our monuments and answer questions people might have?’” Vaniglia explains. And so, Coffee With Columbus was born. Vaniglia has attracted groups of between 20 and 60 people each Sunday morning simply through word of mouth, and the feedback from passersby has been largely positive. “We’re not there …

When COVID-19 hit Italy hard in the early spring, Hardcore Italians founder Mike Carioscia Sr. knew he had to do something. “Having deep roots in Italy, our first thought was to help our people,” Carioscia says. The Italian pride products manufacturer sprang into action, rallying his staff to create the Italy Strong Charity Tee. “Warehouse manager Santo Munizzi recruited his sister BriElle to join our design team and bring our Italy Strong T-shirt alive,” Carioscia says. “Our event coordinator, Clare Bongiovanni, reached out to hospitals in Milan, Italian-American organizations and our business affiliates” in search of worthy beneficiaries. The company …

When a group of 20 Italian immigrants formed the Alpine Gun Club at English Lake, Indiana, in 1892, they had no way of knowing the legacy they were creating. Five generations later, the Alpine Country Club is celebrating its 92nd year as a peaceful, family friendly getaway in Round Lake, Illinois. “In our fast-paced society, we offer a place for families that is unparalleled: a special lakeside retreat with dining services, sleeping accommodations, and tremendous recreational and social opportunities in a secure, supportive environment,” club President Michael Auriemma says. The private, member-owned nonprofit boasts a 20,000-square-foot clubhouse and five cottages …

Carla Simonini, the Paul and Ann Rubino endowed associate professor of the Italian American Studies Program at Loyola University Chicago, has announced that three classes will be offered in the fall semester. Simonini will lead a comparative literature class titled “Italian and Italian-American Women Writers,” Pietro Lorenzini will offer a history class titled “Italian Americans in Popular Culture,” and Robert Lombardo will teach an online criminal justice course titled “Organized Crime.” (simonini@LUC.edu.)  

The law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard has announced that Chairman and Managing Equity Partner Patrick A. Salvi and Chicago Managing Partner Patrick A. Salvi II have been selected to the 2020 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America for the fourth straight year. Each year, Lawdragon selects a list of 500 Leading Lawyers in America through a process that includes research by Lawdragon staff, submissions from law firms, and an online nomination form that allows visitors to recommend and comment on their favorite attorneys. Patrick A. Salvi founded Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard in Waukegan in 1982. The firm concentrates on personal injury, mass tort, medical …

Grace Salvino has joined the Salvino Wealth Management Team at William Blair Private Wealth Management. Grace is the daughter of Tom Salvino, who partners with his brother John and father, Al, to form the Salvino team. Grace is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a B.A. in economics and was a member of the school’s varsity soccer team. She is now pursuing her MBA at the University of Chicago. Grace will be assisting with research and financial reporting. She’ll also spearhead the team’s outreach to children and grandchildren of current clients and oversee charitable efforts.