Tag Archives: Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans

  One of the most thrilling and glamorous events in the Chicago-area Italian-American community is the contest to determine who will reign as La Bella Regina of the Columbus Day Parade. “Few events in the community can match the pageantry of the annual Columbus Day Queen pageant,” says Ron Onesti, president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. “The queen will be the star of the Italian community for a year’s reign.” Sponsored by the JCCIA, this year’s pageant will be held at 6 p.m. on July 29 at the Des Plaines Theatre. The event will be chaired by …

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans and Roselle Sister Cities Italian Committee will host the Italian American Liberty Gala on June 5 at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village. The event will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Festa della Repubblica and the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States of America. The signing of a Sister City relationship between Mola di Bari, Puglia, and Roselle, Illinois, will be a highlight of the event, which will spotlight Pugliese cuisine and culture. Belvedere Banquets will be adorned with the traditional Pugliese illuminations known as luminarie. On the menu …

The Women’s Division of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans held its 2026  Festa della Donna on March 10 at the Des Plaines Theatre. Carmela Capriati and Sharon DePrizio chaired the event, which was hosted by Onesti Entertainment. This year’s theme was “Italian American Women Business Owners,” with 17 standout entrepreneurs sharing the spotlight. Around 150 guests turned out to hear stories about how they all got started. The honorees represented a diverse range of businesses, including consulting, retail, fashion design, bridal couture, Italian product development and distribution, real estate, financial and insurance, floral design, marketing and branding, food industry, …

The Des Plaines Theatre was once again transformed into fashion week in New York for the Columbus Day Queen contest, hosted on Aug. 19 by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. Stadium-style seats were replaced with an expansive stage and runway flanked by chairs filled with audience members. Ava Amelio emerged from the competition with this year’s crown. A former National Honor Society member, Amelio is a student at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she is studying international business and political communication. A proud member of Alpha Phi, she is passionate about empowering women. As a …

The Women’s Division of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans honored nine accomplished women at the 2025 Impresa Awards. Scholarships were also presented to several deserving female high school seniors at the event. “We’re always so proud to host the Impresa Awards,” JCCIA Women’s Division President Rosemary Ranallo says. “It’s our opportunity to shine the spotlight on Italian-American women of accomplishment and to encourage young Italian-American women to follow in their footsteps.” This year’s honorees are: Lisa Capitanini, award-winning investigative producer for NBC 5 (WMAQ-TV) Chicago Tracey Tarantino DiBuono, founder and director of Zzazz Productions Linnea McHugh, chief policy …

The legacy of Florentine poet Dante Alighieri was once again celebrated as the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans hosted its annual Dante and DiFrisco Awards Luncheon at the Galleria Marchetti in Chicago on May 22. Lynn Sweet was the 2025 recipient of the Dante Award. A respected journalist for the Chicago Sun-Times for more than 40 years, she most recently served as its Washington bureau chief. “I am deeply honored to have my decades of work in Chicago recognized by such a distinguished group,” Sweet said. “The award represents truth in journalism, and Lynn is a fiery example of …

The statue of Christopher Columbus that for decades graced Arrigo Park is heading back to the neighborhood it once called home after spending nearly five years in storage. After a protracted legal battle, the Chicago Park District has finally released the statue into the care of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. The cherished icon will be installed as the centerpiece of a new museum on Taylor Street dedicated to the Italian immigrants of Chicago. “This resolution is a huge victory for our community, and to all those who believe in free speech and artistic expression,” JCCIA President Ron …

Since its inception in 1952, there have been only two three-term presidents of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans: Dominic DiFrisco and JoAnn Serpico. Ron Onesti became the third member of that elite group at the JCCIA’s Christmas party on Dec. 9 at Venuti’s in Addison. Joining Onesti as officers for the next two years will be First Vice President Christopher DeSanto, Second Vice President Pat Capriati, Third Vice President Laura Orrico, Secretary Sam Cannizzaro and Treasurer Mario Cinardi. Phyllis Schoene was appointed executive director and Rose Mary Ranallo and Pasquale Gianni will reprise their roles as presidents of …

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans honored five elected officials at its second annual Government Relations Luncheon on Nov. 19 at the Des Plaines Theatre. The event was spearheaded by JCCIA President Ron Onesti, with Enza Ranieri, a recipient of last year’s awards, chairing the committee. More than 150 organization presidents, elected officials and community leaders came together for the event. “In an environment where elected officials walk on eggshells when it comes to controversial issues such as Columbus Day, it’s crucial that we recognize those who bravely stand up for our community, our traditions and our culture,” Onesti …

Exciting news! Italy is reaching out like never before to reconnect with people of Italian heritage living throughout the world. Dubbed “Italea,” the program promotes “roots tourism” to the descendants of the great Italian diaspora. The local announcement of the program brought together leaders of the Chicago-area Italian-American community through the invitation of Italian Consul General Thomas Botzios; Com.It.Es President Carlo Vaniglia; and Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans President Ron Onesti. The June 14 reception was hosted by the JCCIA in the beautiful private dining room of the Des Plaines Theatre. Flying in to make the presentation was Luigi …