Tag Archives: Italian American Political Coalition

The Italian American Political Coalition presented Judge Celia G. Gamrath with its William Paca Award, Richard Caifano with its Lifetime Achievement Award and Richard Catezone with its Public Service Leadership Award at its annual Heritage Celebration on March 7 at Elmcrest Banquets in Elmwood Park. The following profiles were provided by the organization. Richard Caifano Lifetime Achievement Award Richard Caifano has been a leader in the legal profession and Italian-American community for nearly six decades. An attorney in private practice since 1965, he focuses on civil and criminal litigation at the trial and appellate levels. Rich was a trial instructor …

The Italian American Political Coalition honored a pair of local dynamos at its annual Heritage Celebration. Leyden Township Assessor Al Biancalana received the coalition’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the event, and DuPage County board member Sam Tornatore received the group’s William Paca Award. The following profiles were provided by the sponsoring organization: Al Biancalana Albert J. Biancalana Jr. is a native of west suburban Elmwood Park and has dedicated his life to the betterment of his community. He is the eldest son of Albert and Helen Biancalana and has two brothers, Jim (Judy) and the late Bob (Rose). He and …

The Italian American Political Coalition honored Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert Thomas on March 9 at Elmcrest Banquets in Elmwood Park. Thomas was elected a judge of the Circuit Court of DuPage County in 1988, serving as acting chief judge from 1989 to 1994. He was elected to the Appellate Court, Second District, in 1994 and was sworn in as an Illinois Supreme Court justice for the Second District in 2000, serving as chief justice from 2005 to 2008. Robert R. Thomas was born on Aug. 7, 1952, in Rochester, N.Y. He received his bachelor of arts in government from …

  The Italian American Political Coalition held its 17th annual bocce tournament on Aug. 26 at Casa Italia. Dubbed the Fred Serpe Memorial Tournament in honor of recently deceased IAPC stalwart Ferdinand Serpe, the event attracted 26 teams. Taking first place were Andrea Sinacola, Tim Turner and Nick Standiford of the Schain Banks law firm. Coming in second were Teresa Gianini, Mike Fazio, Joe Viverito and Diane Viverito. With Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri at the helm, the IAPC recently announced its endorsements for the November election. For the full list, turn to page 23.  

The Italian American Political Coalition hailed three community leaders at its Heritage Celebration on Feb. 25 at Elmcrest Banquets in Elmwood Park. Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans President Emeritus Dominic DiFrisco received the Founders Award, River Grove Mayor Marilynn Taccio May received the Public Service Award, and Italian American Human Relations Foundation founder Louis Rago received the William Paca Award. Pictured (From left) are IAPC President and Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri, May, DiFrisco, Rago, and IAPC Rules Chairman Rich Pellegrino.

  The Italian American Political Coalition honored a trio of titans at its March 20 Heritage Celebration at Diplomat West Banquets in Elmhurst. Retired Judge Bruno Tassone received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Executive Director JoAnn Serpico earned the William Paca Award and the Public Service Award was given to Hawthorn Woods Mayor Joe Mancino. The annual event honors Italian Americans who are active in the political and governmental arenas. Pictured (from left) are IAPC Rules Chairman Rich Pellegrino, IAPC President and Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri, Serpico, Mancino and Tassone.  

An open letter from the new president of the IAPC Hello to all Italian Americans: My name is Dominic M. Sergi, and I am the new president of the Italian American Political Coalition. For those of you who do not know why we exist, I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with a short history of our organization. The IAPC was established in 1994 after two Italian-American congressmen were redistricted out of office. Community leaders like Leonard Amari, Anthony Fornelli, Fred Serpe, Len DeFranco and Jack LaBrasca, to name a few, have led the crusade to ensure …