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It was a historic week in Rome and within Vatican City as a delegation of Italian American leaders met with government officials and Pope Francis to advance cultural and religious initiatives — and to set the stage for new economic opportunities — between the U.S. and Italy. The delegation, assembled by Judge Basil M. Russo — who leads The Conferen...

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The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans will celebrate a beloved media veteran and a revered elected official at this year’s Dante luncheon. The event will take place at 11 a.m. on May 26 at Galleria Marchetti in Chicago. Radio and TV news legend Bob Sirott will receive this year’s Dante Award at the event, and Illinois Secretary of State Je...

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Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday she “fully expects” the statue of Christopher Columbus to be returned to its pedestal in Grant Park, but not before a security plan is in place to prevent a repeat of the 2020 debacle that left dozens of ambushed police officers injured.  “I’m not gonna do anything that puts our officers in harm’s way. I will probab...

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A civic leader is demanding that Mayor Lori Lightfoot apologize for the obscene and derogatory remarks a lawsuit alleges she made about Italian Americans during a phone call to discuss the statue of Christopher Columbus removed from Arrigo Park. That statue was taken away on Lightfoot’s orders in 2020 after it became the target of protests and vand...

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The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans and the JCCIA Women’s Division will join hands to celebrate an Italian-American version of Women’s History Month throughout March. In keeping with the 2022 Women’s History Month theme — “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope” — they will honor Italian-American doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters...

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Italian Americans seeking the return of Chicago’s Christopher Columbus statue to its former pedestal in Little Italy allege that Mayor Lori Lightfoot interfered with a Park District contract to keep the monument on display “in perpetuity,” according to a recently filed complaint. Lightfoot has been newly added as a defendant in a lawsuit the Joint...

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Do you know someone with a compelling story about achieving the Italian-American dream? The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans has launched an oral history project to preserve these stories for posterity. The project gathers tales of adversity and triumph in the transition from life in Italy to life in America. Interviewees share their own...

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The Italian tricolors were proudly flown at nine Chicago-area libraries throughout the month of October thanks to the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. The initiative was spearheaded by Cav. Uff. Lyn Scolaro, JCCIA third vice president and education committee chair. Italian books, decorations, photos, toys and other realia were among the...

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The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans marked the 700th anniversary of the passing of Dante Alighieri with a standout media luncheon on Sept. 14. Galleria Marchetti in Chicago was bursting at the seams with journalists, elected officials and community leaders who had come to honor CBS President and General Manager Jennifer Lyons and Chicago...

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The Women’s Division of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans will honor eight accomplished women at the 2021 Impresa Awards. Scholarships will also be 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...

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