News

Leonard F. Amari and John G. Locallo — partners in the Law Offices of Amari & Locallo — have been selected by their peers as Leading Lawyers in the category of Real Estate Law and Real Estate Taxes. Fellow partner Joseph F. Locallo III and associates Vesna Marusic and Vincent Oppedisano have been selected as Emerging Lawyers. The distinctions are earned by fewer than 2 percent of the nearly 89,000-plus licensed attorneys in the state of Illinois. In addition, partner Katherine Amari-O’Dell has been selected to serve as one of two vice presidents of the Harwood Heights/Norridge Chamber of Commerce. …

Louis Imburgia, DDS, a general dentist who practices in Park Ridge, has been sworn in as president of the Chicago Dental Society. Dr. Imburgia graduated from the Loyola University School of Dentistry with clinical honors in periodontics, and is a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. He also volunteers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Established in 1864, the CDS has more than 4,000 members in Cook, Lake and DuPage counties, making it the largest local society of the American Dental Association.

Società SS. Crocifisso & San Giovanni Bosco di Ciminna (Chicago) honored Antonino Napoli as Man of the Year at its dinner dance on March 3 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. A longtime luminary of the Chicago-area Italian-American community, Napoli has been a driving force among local Ciminnesi for decades. “Tony has been a pillar of our community for nearly 60 years,” says society President Frank Faraci. “We’re so proud to be able to shine the spotlight on him.” Napoli accepted the honor with trademark humility. “There are so many people who are worthier than me but they insisted, so …

Southwest suburban businessman Frank Mungo Jr. has been battling blood cancer in his own heartfelt way for a quarter of a century. His Valentine’s Day Dance benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society celebrated its 25th anniversary on Feb. 10 at the Drake Hotel in Oak Brook. When Mungo launched the event, blood cancer treatments were just beginning to see positive advancement. “Since the first year of the Valentine’s Day Dance, we have witnessed life-saving advances in blood cancer research while survival rates have soared,” Mungo says. “Over the last 25 years, we’ve seen the five-year survival rate for Chronic Myeloid …

Sergio Giangrande sure knows how to run a parade … AND throw a party. Thanks to the enthusiastic leadership of the 2017 chairman, float, sponsorship and TV ad sales were through the roof. When all was said and done, five major sponsors had signed on in support of the festivities, and another dozen benefactors purchased 30-second introductory “vignettes,” making it possible to broadcast the entire parade commercial free on ABC. “And we did so well on float sales that the company we work with ran out!” says Domenico Gambino, who recommended Giangrande for the chairmanship. “I’m close friends with Sergio’s …

On Dec. 1, the D’Addario Foundation partnered with Hungry for Music, Todd Rundgren’s Spirit of Harmony, Instruments in the Cloud, and the Chicago Federation of Musicians to hold an instrument collection event at the Ace Hotel Chicago. Sixty-five instruments were gathered at the event. Among the donors were representatives from local music retailers and music schools, as well as a young boy who donated instruments he collected for a community service project. Afterward, the instruments were loaded onto Hungry for Music’s RV for refurbishing and distribution to students in need. The D’Addario Foundation is a nonprofit that supports quality music …

The Cook County Board marked the 25th anniversary of the Columbian Club Charitable Foundation with a special resolution on Dec. 12. Present were Columbian Club members (from left) Robert DiSilvestro Jr.; Carmen Forte Jr.; Leonard J. Maniscalco and Gabe Caporale; Commissioner Peter Silvestri; and Chairman Toni Preckwinkle. Maniscalco and fellow founding CCCF members Phillip C. Corrado, Anthony B. Corrado, Sen. Renato G. Turano, Sam Sciambatterra, Robert Novelle Sr., Ronald J. Giordano, Robert DiSilvestro Sr. and Fred Mazzei were honored at the club’s installation on Jan. 13.

The Italian Social Club of Chicago started with a conversation over dinner. The concept was simple: find a way to foster all things Italian — including food and wine — with others who have an affinity for the culture. Along the way, members can create new and lasting memories and friendships. The group enjoys monthly dinners at Chicago-area Italian restaurants with special events planned for most Italian holidays, and each evening spotlighting art, music and other aspects of Italian culture. Last September’s event included a visit to the studio of Ginny Sykes, an artist who exhibits regularly in galleries in …

The 2017 Columbus Day Parade was among the best in recent memory. The sun shone brightly and the weather was glorious, attracting a record crowd. And thanks to the enthusiastic leadership of our parade chairman, Sergio Giangrande, we maxed out the capacity of our float company and enjoyed tremendous support from sponsors and television advertisers alike. Festivities officially began on Oct. 6 with the revival of our beloved flag raising ceremony at the Daley Center. On Oct. 9, a total of nine buses left the grounds of Casa Italia over the course of the morning for the Mass and Parade. …

The Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, celebrated their 93rd Annual Columbus Banquet on Saturday evening, October 7, 2017. The event was held at Villa Brunetti, Franklin Park, IL. Anna DeLuca, Columbus Banquet Chairwoman, welcomed the guests and introduced the Master of Ceremony for the evening, the Honorable Anthony Calderone, Mayor of Forest Park, Illinois. The MC introduced the Grand Lodge Officers, our honored award recipients, the Consul General of Italy and the Columbus Day Queen as they entered the hall. Highlighting the evening were the presentation of the 2017 Humanitarian Award …