ITALIAN CAUCUS: The Third Annual JCCIA Italian Caucus Tour of Italy Reception in Springfield will be on Tuesday, May 13, 2025! Tickets are $40 per person and include bus transportation & dinner! CLICK HERE for more information or to purchase your bus ticket!

DANTE AWARDS: The 2025 Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Annual Dante and DiFrisco Awards Luncheon will be on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Galleria Marchetti. We will be honoring Dante Award Recipient, Lynn Sweet from the Chicago Sun-Times and DiFrisco Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Walter Jacobson from WGN Radio. We also have different levels of sponsorships for this event! CLICK HERE for more information, to purchase your ticket, or to view the sponsorship opportunities available!

QUEEN PAGEANT: The 2025 Columbus Day Queen Pageant has been scheduled for Saturday, July 26 at the Des Plaines Theatre. CLICK HERE for more information or 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!

CELEBRATING COLUMBUS: The National Italian American Foundation welcomes the renewed federal backing of Columbus Day, reinforcing the holiday’s place in Italian American identity! "NIAF Applauds President Trump’s Commitment to Restore Columbus Day to National Prominence" by We the Italians.

HALL ON HARLEM: Dunning's growing Little Italy gets a cultural boost as the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame plants roots—and pride—on the Northwest Side. "Italian American Sports Hall Of Fame Moves To Dunning, Anchoring Northwest Side’s Growing Little Italy" by Molly DeVore.

ATTORNEY ANTONIOLLI: From courtroom battles to charity balls, Attorney Maria Gabriella Antoniolli brings grit and grace to her new role as president of the DuPage Justinians. "Antoniolli to preside over DuPage Justinians" by Doug Graham.

SLICE OF SOPPRESSATA: Think your soppressata has what it takes to be #1? Enter the Calabresi in America Organization's 2025 People's Choice Soppressata Awards on Saturday May 10! Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place competitors!

NEW NIAF CEO: Congratulations to Robert Allegrini for being appointed as the National Italian American Foundation's as its President and Chief Executive Officer! "National Italian American Foundation Names Robert Allegrini as President and CEO"

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

May 4 | Mother of Mary May Crowning

Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii (Contact: tlp1314@comcast.net)

May 4 | Crowning of the Blessed Mother

SS Crocifisso, San Giovanni Bosco | Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Contact: 708-344-4140)

May 8 | Spaghetti Dinner

American Italian Cultural Society (Contact: 815-725-7450)

May 8 | Amarone Master Class with Tony Margiotta

National Italian American Foundation (MORE INFO)

May 10 | 2025 People's Choice Soppressata Awards

Calabresi in America Organization (Contact: 773-842-7557)

May 11 | Sanremo Giovani - Free Concert!

JCCIA | Des Plaines Theatre (MORE INFO)

May 11 | Mother's Day Brunch

Mazzini Verdi Club (Contact: 847-671-0055)

May 13 | Italian Caucus: Tour of Italy Reception

Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (Contact: jcc@jccia.com)

May 15 | JSOL Installation & Awards Dinner

Justinian Society of Lawyers (MORE INFO)

May 15 | Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini: Night at the Fights

National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (MORE INFO)

May 15 | NIAF Philadelphia Testimonial Dinner

National Italian American Foundation (MORE INFO)

May 17 | IA Literati 2025

Casa Italia (MORE INFO)

May 17 | Feast of St. Rita of Cascia

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

May 19 | Women's Division May Meeting

JCCIA Women's Division (Contact: 847-494-1198 or womensdivision@jccia.com)

May 19 | "Sapori di Sicilia" Dinner Series

Associazione Regionale Siciliana in America (Contact: 847-962-1251)

May 20 | Italian American Authors Book Club

Casa Italia (Contact: lincapuz@gmail.com)

May 22 | Dante & DiFrisco Awards Luncheon

JCCIA (MORE INFO)

May 22 | Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia

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

May 23 | Golf Outing

Italian American Labor Council (Contact: 312-907-0039)

May 28 | JCCIA May General Meeting

Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (Contact: jcc@jccia.com)

May 29 | Marchegiana Membership Dinner

Marchegiana Society of Chicago Heights (Contact: 708-932-5934)

May 31 | Pilgrimage of the Rosary and Meditation

Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii (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! 

FREE CONCERT: From the Ariston stage of Sanremo to Chicago! The young finalists of Sanremo Giovani will make you sing and dance on the thrilling notes of Italian contemporary music. Tickets are free!! - Reserve in advance at oshows.com!

FESTA ITALIANA: The Italian Community Center of Milwaukee will be hosting their Festa Italiana 2025 from May 30 to June 1 at the Henry Maier Festival Park. Admission is only $15 per person!

PRESENTING PULCINELLA: Dive deep into the poetics and power of Commedia dell’Arte as Antonio Fava presents his latest work in Chicago. "Book Presentation / “Pulcinella’s Life, Death and Resurrection” by Antonio Fava" by Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Chicago.

CULTURAL CONNECTIONS: From Rome to the Windy City, Marta Castella is building cultural bridges - as Scuola Fermi’s new outreach director is reshaping Italian education in Chicago. "Castella helps connect Fermi Scuola to Chicago area" by Elena Ferrarin.

PLAINFIELD PASTA: Theo’s Italian turns up the heat in Plainfield with delicious dishes and upscale flair! Discover the restaurant's redesigned menu - there's something for everyone!. "Experience upscale Italian dining at Theo’s Italian in Plainfield" by Cody Adams.

JUSTICE WORLDWIDE: Chicago-based dispute resolution specialist Thomas P. Valenti brings justice without borders all over the globe. Read more on his story with "Valenti a pro bono attorney without borders" by Elena Ferrarin.

FIVE-STAR FLAVOR: Italian health-food giant Farmo brings gluten-free goodness to Illinois with its new Elgin plant and three delicious Mac & Cheese flavors with Wisconsin-sourced cheddar: "Farmo Launches “Farmo Five” in Chicago" by News.ItalianFood.Net.

MICHIGAN MANGIA: Pizza, pasta, and pure Italian spirit—now in the heart of Traverse City. "Nittolo's Little Italy Comes to Downtown Traverse City (MI)" by Ellen Miller.

SAINTS & CINEMA: Cristiana Dell’Anna celebrates the legacy of Mother Cabrini with local leaders and fans at a sold-out screening. "CABRINI Star Shines at Special Screening of Acclaimed Film Celebrating Intrepid Italian Saint" by ISDA Staff.

TOUCHDOWN TOLEDO: After a record-breaking U.S. debut, Italy’s top football league returns to Toledo - who has what is takes for Italian Bowl XLIV? "5 early contenders for Italian Bowl XLIV this summer in Toledo" by Toledo Blade Staff.

PHILLY PORCHETTA: From Abruzzo to Philly, the Espositos carved out a legacy in love, meat, and tradition. "Italians in America – Our Immigrant Stories: Meat cutting and hard work span so many generations, you might say they run in the blood" by Tanya Tecce.

ITALIAN TECH INNOVATORS: Discover the 16 Italian companies bring their A-game to San Francisco’s RSA Conference with next-gen cybersecurity tools. "Italian companies showcase cybersecurity innovations in San Francisco" by We the Italians. SHINING STAR: Ellen Pompeo’s journey from Grey’s Anatomy to the Hollywood Walk of Fame—an Italian American star shines brighter than ever! "Italian American actress Ellen Pompeo honored with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame" by George Pennacchio.

RECONNECTING ROOTS: Explore the power of Italea, the program that’s reuniting Italians worldwide with their ancestral homes in Italy. "Director General for Italians Abroad, Luigi Maria Vignali, Presents “Italea” in Detroit at an Exclusive Dinner Hosted by the Italian Consulate" by We the Italians.

FLAVORS OF FLORENCE: The beloved sandwich shop from Florence is bringing its signature schiacciata to Boston! "A Legendary Sandwich Shop From Florence, Italy Is Opening Its First Boston Location" by Ameera Hammouda.

HOMERUN HERO: Brandon Nimmo makes history with 9 RBIs in a game, matching a Mets record! "Italian American Brandon Nimmo ties Mets record with 9 RBIs in 19-5 rout of Nationals" by Patrick Stevens.

ROME'S GUESSING GAME: Right now Romans have just one question in mind... who will be the future leader of the Church? "In Rome, the real national sport isn’t soccer. It’s betting on the next pope" by Ines San Martin.

TWIN CITIES: Italy and Slovenia team up to rewrite history through dance, theater, and tradition at GO! 2025. "Gorizia and Nova Gorica, a Tale of Two Cities" Francesca Bezzone.

TIMELESS TOOLS: Long before wristwatches, ancient Romans carried elegant portable sundials—learn more about these compact devices that told time and showcased knowledge! "The Roman Empire’s original smartwatch: portable sundials" by Luca Signorini.

FASHION FORWARD: With 302,000 attendees and a whirlwind of innovation, Milan proved once again it’s not just following the design world — it’s leading it. "Design week 2025: the world came to Milan and left inspired" by Barbara Minafra.

RUSTIC RUNWAY: From monks to movie stars, discover how this Tuscan wool is still turning heads today. "Panno Casentino: when durability becomes fashionable" by Luca Signorini.

STUNNING SARDINIA: Discover why Sardinia’s Cala Goloritzé tops the global list of dream destinations! "Cala Goloritzé, the best beach in the world is in Sardinia" by We the Italians Editorial Staff.

LOMBARDI LEGACY: Fifty years ago, Lella Lombardi shattered records—and expectations—on Formula 1’s toughest track. Discover the legacy she left on the track: "Lella Lombardi: Formula 1’s trailblazing woman driver" by by We the Italians Editorial Staff.

HERITAGE HISTORY: Explore the hidden gems of Florence’s Jewish heritage—history, art, and culture await. "Firenze Synagogue and Jewish Museum of Florence: splendid hidden Yiddish gems" by Simone Pini.

GENOA GEM: A Salvator Mundi, once valued at just 2,000 euros, sells for over 200,000 in Genoa! "Incredible auction in Genoa: a Salvator Mundi estimated at only 2,000 euros was sold for more than 200,000" by Finestre sull'Arte.