A Note From the President:

Hello everybody!

Chicago summer is in full swing and we have so many exciting events coming up!

One of the most meaningful traditions in our community is just around the corner — our annual Columbus Day Queen Pageant on Saturday, July 26! This event is a celebration of culture and community spirit and we're encouraging all eligible young ladies to take part in this most proud display of our heritage. Nothing speaks louder than your presence!

And speaking of unforgettable experiences, don’t miss the once-in-a-lifetime chance to join Francis Ford Coppola at The Chicago Theatre on July 25 for a screening of "Megalopolis" followed by a Q&A with the legendary director himself!

Stay tuned for more news, updates and ways to show your Italian pride!

Ron Onesti

JCCIA President

QUEEN PAGEANT: Calling all Italian American women ages 17-26!! Apply today to be the next Bella Regina! You can make history, build lasting friendships, celebrate your heritage and shine as the spotlight of our Italian American community!! Our crowned Queen will be receive a prize package including $2,000 and our crowned First Runner-Up will receive a prize package including $500! All participants will receive a gift and be selected as the Queen’s court! The 2025 Columbus Day Queen Pageant will be on Saturday, July 26 at the Des Plaines Theatre. Deadline for applications is July 15! For more information or to apply, CLICK HERE!

IMPRESA AWARDS: Save the date! the 2025 Impresa Awards will be held on Sunday, September 7 at the Medinah Country Club. CLICK HERE for more information!

COLUMBUS DAY PARADE: Save the date! the 2025 Chicago Columbus Day Parade will be on Monday, October 13, 12:30pm on State Street, from Wacker to Van Buren! Explore all the different opportunities to participate and support!

JULY MEETING: The JCCIA July General Meeting will be on Wednesday, July 30 at 6:30pm at the Old Neighborhood Italian American Club (3031 S Shields Ave, Chicago, IL). At this meeting we will be introducing our 2025 Columbus Day Parade Chairman: Fred Barbara! During this meeting, we will also have a brotherhood salute to the Asian American community! Only $25/person, CLICK HERE to purchase your ticket!

SCHOLARSHIPS: JCCIA Scholarships are available! Upcoming deadlines for scholarships are September 15 and November 1. CLICK HERE for more information of to apply!

ITALICO INFO: Have Italian American Community updates or information you would like to see in the next edition of ITALICO? Submit your request to the JCCIA Office at jcc@jccia.com!

SAINT FESTS: Every year various patron saint celebrations are held in Chicago — sacred, festive, and full of community spirit! View the "2025 patron saint festival calendar" by Fra Noi.

HONORING GLIMCO: Congratulations to Joseph P. Glimco III, recipient of the Justice Peccarelli Award from the DuPage Justinian Society! "Glimco honored by DuPage Justinians at installation" by Fra Noi.

UNICO AWARDS: Senator Jason Pizzo joins a prestigious list of honorees at this year’s UNICO National Gala—celebrating Italian American excellence in public leadership! "Florida Senator Jason Pizzo to Be Honored at the UNICO National Italian American Awards Gala in Fort Lauderdale" by Newswire.

NIAF RELATIONS: NIAF and Aspen Italia are rewriting the playbook for US-Italy relations with events spanning two continents. Find out what this means for both countries with "NIAF and Aspen Institute Italia Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement to Strengthen US-Italy Relations".

UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark your calendars! Exciting events are just around the corner, brought to you by the JCCIA & Affiliate Organizations!

July 11 | Arcolian Dental Annual Golf Outing

Arcolian Dental Arts Society (Contact: molrman@sbcglobal.net - Cell: 847-489-8844)

July 12 | Mass in Honor of San Pio

Italian Catholic Federation Branch #392 (Contact: 773-763-0507)

July 13 | Festa della Famiglia e Amici

Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization (MORE INFO)

July 13 | Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Contact: 708-344-4140)

July 14 | Columbian Club Golf Outing

Columbian Club of Chicago (MORE INFO)

July 14 | Tommy Lasorda Open: Golf Outing

National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (MORE INFO)

July 14 | Conversational Italian for Travelers

Casa Italia (Contact: 708-345-5933)

July 19 | Picnic & Fundraiser for Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

Society Burgio for Women (Contact: SocietyBurgioforWomen@gmail.com)

July 19 | ARC 35th Anniversary

Associazione Regionale Campania (Contact: arccampania@gmail.com)

July 20 | CIAO Golf Outing

Calabresi in America Organization (MORE INFO)

July 20 | Feast of Beato Giovanni Liccio

Società Beato Giovanni Liccio di Caccamo (Contact: 312-363-8617)

July 21 | Conversational Italian for Travelers

Casa Italia (Contact: 708-345-5933)

July 22 | Italian American Authors Book Club

Casa Italia (Contact: lincapuz@gmail.com)

July 25 | An Evening with Francis Ford Coppola & Megalopolis Screening

Chicago Theatre (Contact: Ron Onesti, president@jccia.com)

July 25 - 27 | Festa Italiana

Cesare Battisti Lodge (MORE INFO)

July 26 | Columbus Day Queen Pageant

Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (MORE INFO)

July 27 | Mass in Honor of San Pio

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Contact: 630-217-7415)

July 30 | July General Meeting

Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (MORE INFO)

July 31 | Sausage Fest

Marchegiana Society of Chicago Heights (MORE INFO)

CLICK HERE for the full calendar of events! Have an event you would like to be added to the calendar? Submit your request to jcc@jccia.com! 

HOST A STUDENT: There are currently 55 Italian students looking for a home from the EF Exchange Program, and we are looking to place 5 of the students in the Chicago region! Make an Italian students' dreams come true! Host a student for 5 to 10 months - the exchange will go quickly, but the connections you make will last forever! CLICK HERE for more information, or contact Diana Hartmann at 815-703-4893.

FORD COPPOLA Q&A: Legendary director Francis Ford Coppola is bringing his monumental 2024 film, MEGALOPOLIS, to The Chicago Theatre on Friday, July 25. This exclusive event offers a rare chance to experience the film as it was meant to be seen - on the big screen, surrounded by a live audience, followed by an interactive conversation and Q&A led by Coppola himself! CLICK HERE or contact Ron Onesti for more information!

CHICAGO SHOWSTOPPERS: This summer, Italian culture takes center stage in Chicago — with opera, classical music, sculpture, and more lighting up venues across the city! "A preview of music, film, theater, dance and more" by Fra Noi.



RING TO RANKS: Under the eye of heavyweight champ Joe Louis, Pfc. Louis Grippo sharpened his skills fighting in the ring and on the front lines of WWII. "Army Pfc. and boot camp boxer Louis Grippo" by Peter Magnine.

OPERA FOR ALL: Evanston’s maestro says Pagliacci belongs to everyone. Discover how its drama, music, and legacy reach far beyond the opera house! "Why Evanston music director thinks ‘Pagliacci’ is an opera for everyone" by Wendi Kromash.

MAKEUP MAGICIAN: Martucci’s special effects work will blow your mind. Learn how this Chicago artist brings movie monsters—and masterpieces—to life with stunning detail! "Martucci drawn early on to special effects makeup" by Elena Ferrarin.

NUTELLA'S NEW TWIST: The Nutella you love is about to get even better — made right in Chicagoland. Discover what Ferrero’s food scientists just whipped up! "Nutella to launch new line in Franklin Park" by Fra Noi.

WINDY CITY VINO: As tariffs loom, Italy’s wine world rallies in Chicago to protect its top global market: the U.S. "Italian wine creates a network in the United States: “wine2wine” in Chicago with Vinitaly.Usa n. 2" by Wine News.

JUDGE FOR JUSTICE: He made history, mentored many, and never forgot his roots—discover the remarkable legacy of Justice Moses W. Harrison II. "Illinois Supreme Court Justice Moses W. Harrison II" by Leonard F. Amari.

LANDMARK LEGACY: Madison’s Italian Workmen’s Club is now officially a National Historic Landmark! Discover why this 1922 gem is a pillar of Italian-American pride."Italian Workmen's Club to be recognized with national status" by Samantha Calderon.

WINE REVIVAL: California’s Sangiovese goes from forgotten to fabulous as new winemakers revive this Tuscan classic with fresh passion and style! "California rediscovers Sangiovese. A brief history of the revival of a forgotten grape variety in the United States" by Gambero Rosso.

MUSIC IN MOTION: Cleveland’s historic Italian Cultural Garden comes alive with opera and ballet in an unforgettable show! "Cleveland’s Italian Cultural Garden hosts 2025 summer opera" by Paris Wolfe.

ITALIAN IMPRINT: Unusual town names across Michigan reveal a hidden history of Italian immigrants who helped shape the state for centuries—discover how these names tell a deeper story! "Why do some Michigan towns have unusual names? How Italian immigrants left their mark" by Jenna Prestininzi.

CULTURAL CROSSROADS: Italy meets New Mexico! Discover how a high-level visit sparked new artistic and scientific collaborations across the Southwest! "Italian Consul General visits New Mexico to strengthen cultural and scientific ties" by We the Italians.

HERITAGE HISTORY: A deep dive into the Italians of Sunnyside—learn how one community’s journey from Italy to Arkansas shaped generations! "From Italy to Arkansas, the buried archives unearthed in film" by Ashlyn Brothers.

GONDOLA GETAWAY: Skip the car and set sail—discover Rhode Island’s dreamy Venetian escape in the heart of Providence! "Your Best Summer Experience Isn’t By Car, It’s on a Gondola in Rhode Island" by Melissa Mahoney.

VIOLA VICTORY: The Florida Panthers win big—and so does our Italian American community, thanks to the unstoppable Viola family. Get inspired by their victory and vision! "Pride, Leadership, Victory: Florida Panthers, Viola Family Win the Stanley Cup and Inspire a Community Once More" by Basil Russo.

STUDY IN STYLE: Mississippi State teams up with a top Italian university to open exciting new doors for global learning. Discover where this international journey leads! "Mississippi State partners with Italian university to enhance study-abroad opportunities" by Caleb Salers.

GIGLIO FEAST: Brooklyn’s iconic Giglio celebration is back for its 138th year! Discover how the food, faith, and tradition that make this festival unforgettable. "As summer nears, North Brooklyn prepares for a beloved tradition: The annual Giglio Feast" by Craig Syracusa.

TORINO TRANSFORMED: From factories to festivals, Turin is leading Europe with smart tourism, green growth, and dazzling design! "Turin named European Capital of Smart Tourism 2025" by We the Italians Editorial Staff.

SUMMER FLAVORS: Italian summer cooking means less time at the stove, more time at the table. Discover the refreshing regional recipes behind this tasty tradition! "Summer of freshness on the Italian table, region by region" by Giulia Franceschini.

BANDE MUSICALI: Uncover the centuries-old tradition of Italy’s town bands—where brass meets passion and every note tells a story. "Italy’s town bands: a tradition that never misses a beat" by Luca Signorini.

SWEET TREAT: Discover Pizzo, Italy’s sweet secret where every day ends with the legendary Tartufo di Pizzo. "From beach to piazza, every day in Pizzo ends with gelato" by Francesca Bezzone.

VERSILIA VACATION: View Versilia’s stunning coastlines and creative spirit that makes it Italy’s must-visit summer hotspot! "A Summer in Versilia: Art, Sea and Italian Style" by Giulia Franceschini.

ROME REIMAGINED: From ruin to revelation: Rome’s Calatrava’s Vela gets a futuristic facelift just in time for the Jubilee! "Rome redevelops Calatrava's Vela for Jubilee of Youth" by Wanted In Rome.

MAGICAL MURALS: Stornara just turned into an Instagram hotspot — thanks to over 140 jaw-dropping murals. Discover how art brought this town back to life! "Italian ‘Ghost Town’ Rescued by Instagramable Street Art Which Attracts Thousands" by Andy Corbley.

CRACKING THE CODE: A new mind — and a fresh angle — could finally explain da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. You’ll never guess who cracked the code... "Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man may finally have a geometric explanation" by We the Italians Editorial Staff.

SECRET SAUCE: Hidden on grocery shelves, this underrated ingredient transforms dinner. Find out why Italians swear by it! "The Genius Tomato Sauce Upgrade Italians Have Always Known About" by Laila Ibrahim.

SEASON OF CELEBRATION: More than 30,000 festivals light up Italy each summer! Discover how tiny towns keep centuries-old traditions alive. "The soul of Summer in Italy: festivals, food, and footsteps through time" by Francesca Bezzone.