Tag Archives: Michael Somone

The Italian American Labor Council honored Michael Somone as its 2019 Man of the Year, and the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago VP couldn’t have been prouder. “It was so great to be surrounded by all of my friends in the labor movement and to accept the award with my parents, Tom and Antoinette, in the audience,” Somone says. “And the framed copy of the pages that appeared in Fra Noi were a wonderful touch. It made the night even more special. I was so very humbled by the entire evening.”

The Italian American Labor Council honored Michael Somone as Man of the Year at an Oct. 9 dinner-dance at the Local 150 Banquet Hall in Countryside. (312-339-1437) The following profile was provided by the organization: “Michael has a family history in labor that dates back three generations, and he proudly upholds that legacy every day,” says IALC President Anthony Guida. “We’re honored to present him with this year’s Man of the Year Award.” Michael’s grandfather, an officer and International Vice President of HERE, first introduced him to organized labor. Michael’s union membership expands over 35 years. In 1983, Michael became …

The general public recognizes thoroughbred racing because of the big-name Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. But the Somone brothers, Tony and Michael, instead gravitated to harness racing as teens. They grew up close to Maywood Park, which with its sister track in Crete, Balmoral Park, is a hub of Illinois standardbred harness racing. “When I was about 16, I went to the harness races with my friends,” recalls Michael, assistant vice president at Amalgamated Bank of Chicago. (He’s also been vice president of the Italian-American Labor Council for the past eight years.) “They (his older …