News

The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and Shrine commemorated the recent passing of the Rev. Peter Sordi with an 11 a.m. Mass on June 1. The Mass was concelebrated by local Scalabrini priests, with Bishop Lawrence Sabatini and the Rev. Nicholas Marro speaking during the services. (708-344-4140) Rev. Peter was born and ordained in Italy, accepting his first position as a parish priest at Holy Guardian Angels and Our Lady of Pompeii in 1946. He taught at Sacred Heart Seminary in Stone Park, served in various leadership roles on the provincial and general levels for the Scalabrini Fathers, and …

The Comboni Missionaries commemorated the second anniversary of the death of the Rev. Angelo Biancalana with a 6 p.m. Mass on June 11 in the chapel of the Comboni Mission Center in LaGrange Park. (708-354-1999) Rev. Angelo was born in Italy, moved to the Chicago area in 1951, and was ordained on May 25, 1958. Following that, he did missionary work among Native Americans in California, ran the Comboni’s vocation program in Cincinnati and crisscrossed the country in search of future missionaries. Fulfilling his dream of going to Africa, he spent more than 15 years there as a pastor, teacher …

Gina Arquilla DeBoni has been appointed managing partner of Romanucci & Blandin. She joined the Chicago-based law firm in 2010. As one of the few female managing attorneys in the state of Illinois, Arquilla DeBoni is responsible for the overall management and quality assurance of the firm’s legal and compliance services for its clients. “Gina is an asset to our firm and a passionate advocate of justice for her clients,” says Antonio Romanucci, founding partner at Romanucci & Blandin. “We are extremely proud to promote her to the position of managing partner and know she will continue to see success …

State Rep. Anthony DeLuca recently brought together local religious leaders for a non-denominational, interfaith breakfast at Governor State University. Attendees discussed ways the state can work with local faith communities to improve the quality of life in the southern suburbs. “Faith leaders and places of worship do more than just nourish a person’s soul. They are places that in good and bad times become the focal points of a community,” DeLuca said. “They are at the center of these community occurrences, bring people together and provide additional services to the less fortunate.”

The Rockford Italian Sister Cities Alliance held its annual fundraiser, A Taste of Italy IV, on Nov. 4 at the Venetian Club. Several local restaurateurs provided samples for tasting, including Antonina Laudicina from Napoli’s Pizza in Loves Park (pictured). Other participants included the Venetian Club, Bravo, Cucina DiRosa, DiTullio’s, Franchesco’s, Gerry’s, Roma Bakery and the St. Ambrogio Club, which founded the alliance. Nearly 200 people attended the event. Proceeds support student and professional exchanges between Rockford and Ferentino, with plans underway for an academic exchange from Ferentino to Rockford this year. (ourrisca.org)

The Chicago-based law firm Romanucci & Blandin LLC recently welcomed Highland Park-based Baizer Kolar Neiman P.C. to its ranks. BKN specializes in cases of wrongful death, medical malpractice, automobile accidents and traumatic brain injuries. BKN founder Bob Baizer and partners Joe Kolar and David Neiman bring with them a track record that includes a $29.8 million verdict in a birth injury case and a $25 million medical negligence verdict. “We are extremely confident that the team at Baizer Kolar Neiman will be incredible assets for our growing firm,” said R&B Law founding partner Antonio Romanucci. “Each of them brings a unique …

William Blair financial advisor Tom Salvino was named to Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list and Barron’s Top State Advisors list for 2019. He has been included in the Forbes list since 2018 and the Barron’s list since 2015. Salvino joined William Blair in 1993 and became a partner in 1999. A graduate with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A. in finance from Loyola University Chicago, he is a member of the Salvino Wealth Management Team. John, along with his brother, Tom, and father, Al, manage customized investment portfolios for individuals, families, trusts and foundations. …

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society presented second-year University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry student Jordan Franklin with a $2,500 scholarship at its annual Christmas Party at the Park Ridge Country Club on Dec. 11. Dr. Rosella Spadoni-French, a 1984 Loyola School of Dentistry alumna, conferred the check to Franklin. “I have felt so extremely welcomed by all the members, all of whom readily share their knowledge and support with me whenever they can,” Franklin said. “This scholarship means so much more than the money to me. It means building a closer relationship with an organization that so kindly …

The Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin, honored a dozen outstanding individuals from all walks of life at the 18th annual Leonardo da Vinci Awards of Excellence Gala on May 5 at White Eagle Banquets in Niles. “Our recipients walk among giants in their chosen professions,” says Lodge President Marie Marsalli. “They lead by example and truly embrace their Italian heritage.” Fra Noi’s own Pat Capriati, author of the monthly Italian-language profile “L’eta d’oro” and co-host of the bilingual radio program “Domenica Insieme,” received an Award of Excellence in Communications at the event. Also receiving awards …

In the two decades since its founding, the Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization has created a remarkable legacy of giving. Each year, the group provides hundreds of needy families with full Thanksgiving meals, presents tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to college-bound students and bestows tens of thousands of dollars more upon veterans in need and other worthy causes. “None of what we do would be possible without the involvement and support of our members,” says CIACO president Bob Urbinati. “That’s why we decided to present our Humanitarian of the Year Award in memory of deceased members at this …