Tag Archives: Illinois

On Nov. 10, Chicago-area activists Carlo Vaniglia, Frank Di Piero and Dominic Candeloro travelled west to Cherry, Illinois, to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Cherry mine disaster. They laid a wreath at the monument that honors the 259 victims of the mine fire, 73 of whom were Italian immigrants, mainly from Emilia Romagna. It was the third worst disaster in American mining history. Welcomed with open arms by the descendants of the miners, the trio promised that they would share their story with the Chicago-area Italian-American community.  

The Italian Cultural Center Vocal Scholarship began quietly in 1976 when Josephine LiPuma, an opera singer, music teacher and volunteer at the Italian Cultural Center, approached the Rev. August Feccia about starting a vocal competition under the name of the center. Ms. LiPuma wanted to start the scholarship as an encouragement to young students of opera. Fr. Feccia was in agreement that this would be a perfect event for the ICC. Two opera scholarships were offered to students of Italian Heritage and each year the scholarship honored a different Italian singer or composer. In 1987, Ms. LiPuma was terminally Ill …

by Jim DiStasio, Joe Stella and Paul Basile Even though the Turano Baking Co. is one of the largest bread makers in the nation, its heart still beats with the warmth and generosity of a small family business. For the last half century, La Famiglia Turano has steadily built a world-class company firmly rooted in values that can be traced to its founder. Launched in a storefront shop in Chicago in 1962 by Mariano Turano, the company has blossomed under the stewardship of sons Renato, Tony and Giancarlo into a national powerhouse with more than 750 employees who create more …

John D’Amico has served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives since 2004. Committee assignments include Consumer Protection; Labor and Commerce; Transportation – Vehicles and Safety (chairman); and Veterans’ Affairs. D’Amico is a member of the Edgebrook Community Association; St. Edwards Athletic Advisory Committee; City Club of Chicago; Mayfair Lions Club; Queen of All Saints Men’s Club; and the Edgebrook-Sauganash Athletic Association. He joined the Chicago Water Department in 1982 and now serves as an assistant superintendent.

Anthony DeLuca has served in the Illinois House of Representatives since March 2008. His committee assignments include Appropriations – Public Safety; Business Occupational Licenses; Cities and Villages (chairman); Insurance; Mass Transit; Business Growth and Incentives; Public Safety – Police and Fire (vice chairman); and Tollway Oversight. DeLuca previously served as mayor of Chicago Heights, and president and member of the Bloom Township High School District 206 Board of Education. In 2010, the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce counted him among the Outstanding Leaders Under 40, the Cook County Farm Bureau bestowed a Friend of Agriculture Award upon him, and the …

Richard Veenstra has served as mayor of Addison since 2013, having served as deputy mayor since 1992. A village resident for 40 years, he is chairman of the Addison Town Center Planning Committee; past chairman of the Building, Zoning and Development Committee, Public Health, Safety and Judicial Committee, and Substance Responsibility Commission; and president of the St. Philip the Apostle Parish Council. A licensed pharmacist, Veenstra is general manager of Specialty Pharmacy for CVS/Caremark, a past board member of the Illinois Pharmacists Association and a past president of the DuPage Pharmacists Association. A member of the Americans of Italian Descent, …

Michael J. Zalewski has served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives since 2008. Committee assignments include Appropriations – Public Safety; Environment; Health Care Licenses (chairman); Judiciary; Personnel and Pensions; Revenue and Finance (vice chairman). Subcommittee assignments include Real Estate, Property, Probate, Trusts (chairman); Property Tax; and Finance. Last year, he served on a special 10-member conference committee to reform of the state’s pension systems. An attorney concentrating in municipal and county regulatory compliance for the law firm of Krieg DeVault, Zalewski served as a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office from 2004 to 2007. He …

The Italian American Veterans Museum took a quantum leap forward on Sept. 28, celebrating its grand reopening with the dedication of a new exhibit celebrating Italian-American Medal of Honor recipients. State Senator Don Harmon and Melrose Park Mayor Ben Mazzulla were among the dignitaries who took part in the noon dedication ceremony, which was attended by nearly 200 well-wishers, including more than four dozen veterans. The United States Navy Band from the Great Lakes Naval Station and the Marine Color Guard from the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment from Foster Avenue in Chicago graced the event with their presence. Joe …