State Rep. John D’Amico helped welcome members of the Loyola University basketball team to Springfield. Leading the delegation from Loyola were Coach Porter Moser and Sister Jean Dolores-Schmidt, the 98-year-old team chaplain. “Countless negative stories come from the sports world,” said D’Amico. “I am so proud that a Chicago basketball team could captivate the country through great sportsmanship and teamwork.” After only three winning seasons over the past 30 years, Moser led Loyola to 32 wins, a Missouri Valley Conference title, Loyola’s first NCAA tournament appearance since 1985, and a Final Four finish.

As Fra Noi goes to press, the state representative is sponsoring House Bill 2647, which would require the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs to create several programs to better serve veterans with PTSD and other service-related mental illnesses.

He is also sponsoring House Resolution 274, which asserts the Illinois House of Representatives’ opposition to efforts to cut Meals on Wheels, the Congregate Meals Program, and community block grants that provide funding for senior meal programs.

He is sponsoring and voted to pass House Bill 2462, which would forbid employers from paying different wages to employees with equal experience and in identical roles. Among other things, the bill would make it harder for employers to ask job applicants about their pay history during the application process.

And he is sponsoring House Bill 3240, which requires every airport in Illinois to upgrade its permanent noise monitoring system to ensure they are collecting better information; House Bill 3248; as well as House Bill 3249, which creates a tax credit for individuals who soundproof their homes in an effort to mask aircraft noise.

Celebrating its 92nd Annual Columbus Banquet, the Grand Lodge of Illinois/Wisconsin, Order Sons of Italy in America hosted the event at Villa Brunetti, Franklin Park, Illinois on October 8, 2016.

Maria Mancini, Columbus Banquet Chair, welcomed the guests and introduced the Master of Ceremony for the evening, the Honorable Anthony Caldarone, 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 presentations of the 2016 Humanitarian Award and the Columbus Patriot Award. In addition the Illinois Sons of Italy Foundation awarded eight scholarships to Italian-American students who are continuing their education.

Receiving the Humanitarian Award was Illinois State Representative John C. D’Amico. He has faithfully served the 15^th District since 2004. He has made strengthening safety for Illinois drivers and residents a top priority. Representative D’Amico successfully passed legislation prohibiting drivers from using hand-held electronic devises in a hands-free or voice operated mode. Because of his efforts, Illinois s now ranked one of the top states in the nation for drivers’ safety laws. As a state representative, he has led efforts to prohibit texting while driving, and has worked with Secretary of State Jessie White to institute a graduated driver’s license program to make sure new drivers have the proper training and supervision before obtaining their licenses.

Retired U.S. Army Col. Renato (Ron) Bacci was presented with the 2016 Columbus Patriot Award. Col. Bacci received his commission in 1969 through the ROTC program at Loyola University in Chicago. He spent over 30 years in the Army Reserve. His active duty tours in the Army included Bosnia, Croatia, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. A former senior vice president of ABN AMRO Services Company (LaSalle Bank Corp), he currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Dominican University – Brennan School of Business in River Forest, Illinois. Col. Bacci currently serves as chair of the Illinois Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, directing the activities of 105 volunteers and managing three full time staff. ESGR promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service.

In presenting the awards, Grand Lodge President Marie Marsalli, stated, “Both gentlemen truly deserve being honored by OSIA and demonstrate their true love and passion for their Italian heritage and culture in their daily lives. They serve their community and country with pride, respect and dignity.”

Receiving the Leone d’Oro Lodge #2700 scholarship was Jonluke Bertacchi Passett, son of Douglas & Lynne Passett; Mary C. Glorioso, daughter of Mauro & Pearl Glorioso received the Honorable Ronald Serpico scholarship; Sara Grace Bast, daughter of Steven & Mary Bast received the Joe Rizza Ford-Porsche of Orland Park scholarship; Annamaria Durante, daughter of Mike & Marianna Durante received the Americo Vespucci Lodge #1722 scholarship; Angelina Gervasio, daughter of Emilio & Francesca Gervasio received the Southwest Lodge #2558 scholarship; Dario Panici, son of Giovanni & Rosara Panici received the Chicago Heights Lodge #1430 scholarship; Leah DiMaggio, daughter of Joseph & Mary DiMaggio received the Mike and Chris Manno scholarship from the Filippo Mazzei Greater Milwaukee Lodge #2763; and Jeremy Tyler Luczak, son of Kimberly Ann Luczak received the Salvatore B. Purpero and Frank Giuffre scholarship.

Attending the festivities were Giuseppe Finocchiaro, Consul General of Italy, Jaclyn Puccini, Columbus Queen, Rev. John Belmonte, OSIA Chaplain, Grand Lodge Council offices, lodge presidents and members from the filial lodges.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by Nino Folino. Mr. Folino’s performance of the American and Italian Anthems was outstanding.

Photos by Tim Townsend

John D’Amico was born June 12, 1962. As a lifelong resident of Chicago’s northwest side, he graduated from St. Edward Catholic Elementary School, Weber High School, and he attended Northeastern Illinois University. John currently resides in Chicago’s Edgebrook neighborhood with his wife, Christine, and three children, whom are now in college. John has been a member of Plumbers Local 130 U.A. since 1988. As a proud union member, he currently is the assistant superintendent for the Chicago Water Department. In addition to his career, John remains an active member of many neighborhood and parish groups.

Representative D’Amico was first elected in 2004 to the 15h House District as a democrat. As a state representative, his top priority is strengthening safety for Illinois’ drivers and residents. He has led efforts to prohibit texting while driving, and has worked with Secretary of State Jesse White to institute a graduated driver’s license program to make sure new drivers have the proper training and supervision before obtaining their licenses. Representative D’Amico successfully passed legislation prohibiting drivers from using hand-held electronic devices in a hands-free or voice operated mode. Because of his efforts to create safer roads, Illinois is now ranked one of the top states in the nation for drivers’ safety laws. In 2015, John was named Legislator of the Year by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for his efforts in transportation safety.

Ron Bacci was appointed Chair of the Illinois Committee, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Richard Wightman, Jr. effective 1 October 2013 through 30 September 2019. In this capacity, Ron directs the activities of 105 ESGR volunteers and manages three full time staff. ESGR, a Department of Defense office, facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service.

Ron received his commission in 1969 through the ROTC program at Loyola University, Chicago. He served as an Infantry, Armor, and Civil Affairs Officer. His active duty tours included Bosnia, Croatia, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. While mobilized for Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia (1996), Ron worked directly with the World Bank developing a functioning financial support structure for rebuilding activities in Bosnia. His work was highlighted in a June 10, 1996 Wall Street Journal article “An Army Reserve Unit Guides Reconstruction of Postwar Bosnia”.

As an Adjunct Professor at Dominican University – Brennan School of Business in River Forest, Illinois, he instructs undergraduate courses in Business and Human Resource Management. Ron also developed a Community Leadership Program targeting professional development of aspiring community leaders. He also worked for the Chief of the Army Reserve on the Employer Partnership – a collaborative program linking job seeking Reservists with civilian employers.

Ron’s extensive career in financial operations culminated as Senior Vice President of ABN AMRO Services Company (LaSalle Bank Corp). His last major assignment was working on site in Padua, Italy as executive liaison/manager of information technology integration during the acquisition of Banca Antonveneta. Over his twelve years with ABN AMRO, Ron managed numerous complex projects and directed worldwide teams responsible for implementing automation solutions across the bank. Prior to this, Ron had extensive managerial and staff experience in all aspects of financial services including manager of a night shift lockbox processing operation with 150 staff and chief operating officer of a community bank. His foreign assignments involved automating banking units in 13 countries of Europe & South America.

Upon retiring from the Army Reserves in 1999, Ron became an ESGR volunteer and served as the Ombudsman Director, coordinating activities of 19 volunteer mediators. In addition to his role as State Chair, he currently serves as Chair of the Information Technology Subcommittee, assisting ESGR Headquarters on selection and design of information systems. Ron volunteers in various capacities with Knights Templar doing charitable activities and community service. A Chicago native, Ron received his MBA from DePaul University and BBA from Loyola University.