News

  Jessica Malpede was crowned Queen of the Columbus Day parade at a glittering pageant on Sept. 20 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. “‘Exciting’ doesn’t begin to describe the 2015 Columbus Day Queen Pageant,” JCCIA Executive Director Jo Ann Serpico says. “Enthusiasm radiated from the family members, friends and community leaders who attended, and the young women were perfect examples of confidence, courage and leadership.” Ron Onesti of Onesti Entertainment chaired the event and served as master of ceremonies, and Marilyn Fredericks handled the choreography. “Ron and Marilyn did a spectacular job of running this year’s pageant,” Serpico says. …

The Comboni Missionaries will honor Umberto “Tony” Turano as Man of the Year on Nov. 21 at Porretta’s Banquets in Chicago. (708-354-1999) “Tony Turano is a supremely successful businessman who has never forgotten his roots,” says the Rev. Peter Premarini, MCCJ, superior of the Comboni Mission Center in LaGrange Park. “We have chosen to honor him in appreciation of all the generous contributions that he and his family have made to the community as well as their support of the work of the Comboni Missionaries.” Tony and his brothers, Renato and Giancarlo, were born to Mariano and Assunta Turano in …

The Italian American Executives of Transportation will honor Ron Onesti as Man of the Year and Sonny Nicotera as Humanitarian of the Year on Nov. 21 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. (708-212-1051) “Ron and Sonny are cut of the same cloth,” says IAET President Vito D’Ambrosio. “They brings passion, skill and intelligence to bear on preserving our heritage and they’re extremely generous with their time, talent and resources. They represent the best that our community has to offer.” IAET 2015 Man of the Year Ron Onesti Ron Onesti is an entertainment industry powerhouse recognized as an innovative leader across …

The Scholarship Committee of UNICO National recently announced its 2015 awards. Among the nearly two-dozen grants bestowed were a dozen nursing scholarships, a pair of literary awards and a pair of awards to help fund studying abroad. “While we assist talented students to realize their aspirations, we encourage our recipients to become exceptional, contributing members of society,” committee Chair Joan Tidona explains. “As our program continues to expand, it is clear that UNICO National recognizes education as an essential investment in the future.” The Scholarship Committee presented the following scholarships in 2015: Major Don S. Gentile Memorial Scholarship — Matthew …

Joseph Martucci Jr. was honored as Man of the Year by the Italian American Police Association on Nov. 7 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. Frank DiMaria, second vice president of the FOP Lodge 7, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the event. (708-268-1495) “As a lifelong union organizer, Joe has had a significant positive impact on the quality of life of countless law enforcement officers and other union members throughout the Midwest,” says IAPA President Phil Tenerelli. Joe was born in Chicago and grew up in the Austin District on the city’s Far West Side. The son of Joseph …

  On Sept. 2, board members and foundation trustees of the Columbian Club of Chicago presented Thomas Regan, S.J., dean, College of Arts and Sciences, and Arthur Lurigio, Ph.D., senior associate dean for faculty, College of Arts and Sciences of Loyola University Chicago, with a check to complete the club’s $50,000 pledge to support the creation of a Italian American Studies program at Loyola. The Columbian Club’s gift capped a successful $500,000 fundraising initiative to endow a professorship within Loyola’s College of Arts and Sciences to research, preserve and promote the Italian American experience, history and culture.

  Chicago Symphony Orchestra Music Director Riccardo Muti was honored by the Juvenile Justice Initiative on Sept. 16 at the Union League Club of Chicago for his dedication to sharing music with children in the juvenile justice system. The event celebrates JJI’s 15th year anniversary and the organization’s many accomplishments, including raising the age of juvenile court from 17 to 18, reducing the number of children automatically tried in adult court, and reducing the state juvenile prison population by half since 2007 — all while reducing juvenile offending through expanded community based alternatives. At the September 16th event, Riccardo Muti …

State Rep. John C. D’Amico met with local business and community leaders in Niles and applauded the completion of a new facility that will keep more than 900 jobs in Illinois. An aerospace and energy systems manufacturer, Woodward consolidated locations in Niles and Skokie into a new environmentally friendly campus. Pictured at the company’s ribbon-cutting ceremony (from left) are State U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D’Amico and Niles Mayor Andrew Przybylo. “Woodward has exemplified what a responsible business can do to keep valuable jobs in Illinois by consolidating to a new facility in the area,” D’Amico said.  

  Lou Storino was elected president of the Illinois Water Environment Association for the 2015-2016 year. A principal civil engineer in the Collection Facilities/TARP section of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Storino is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Illinois and has worked at the district for more than 17 years. As one of his first acts as president, he presented Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing with the IWEA Public Official Award. Prussing is of Italian descent.

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) has appointed personal injury attorney, Antonio M. Romanucci, as Chair of the Police Misconduct Litigation group, effective July  12, 2015. Mr. Romanucci also serves as Chair-Elect of the Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group and was elected to a three year term as one of AAJ’s PAC Trustees this year. Founding partner and principal at Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, Mr. Romanucci has been an active member of AAJ for nearly 20 and has served leadership positions since July 2007. “I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve as Chair of the Police Misconduct Litigation group for AAJ, as well as serve other meaningful …