COLUMBUS STATUE UPDATE: View the letter from the JCCIA President and the press release regarding the Columbus Statue. The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans has been fighting tirelessly to resolve the ongoing conflict over the removal of the Christopher Columbus Statue, condemning these actions as "selective censorship". View the CBS Chicago segment "Italian American group says Chicago Columbus statues need to be reinstalled as expressions of art" by Jermont Terry and Adam Harrington. We will keep fighting this fight!

JCCIA MEETING: Next Wednesday, February 26, 2025 the JCCIA will host their General Meeting at Mazzini Verdi Club, 9230 Belmont Ave. Franklin Park, IL. Tickets are $45 per person, door prizes will be awarded! At this meeting, Cook County Commissioner Maggie Trevor will be presenting a proclamation to the JCCIA in honor of Jo Ann Serpico. In addition to the dinner menu, we will have a special dessert sponsored by Angelo Lollino: Vero Gelato limited edition Tiramisu Gelato! CLICK HERE to purchase your ticket, or submit your RSVP to jcc@jccia.com or call 708.450.9050(calls are temporarily being forwarded).

SAVE THE DATE: The 2025 Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Annual Dante and DiFrisco Awards Luncheon will be on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at Galleria Marchetti.

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OPEN: Applications for the Women's Division Scholarship and JCCIA John Fischetti Scholarship are now available!

WOMEN'S DIVISION: For Women's History Month, the JCCIA Women's Division will be celebrating the incredible Italian American women in our community. The theme this year is 30 under 30, each day for the month on March highlighting an outstanding young woman who displays leadership and inspires others. If you are interested in applying, or know someone who may be, CLICK HERE for the application.

MODA 2025: The Women's Division Scholarship Benefit Dinner and Fashion Show has been scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2025!

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!

COLUMBIAN CLUB: Congratulations to Stuart Caravello on his remarkable six-year tenure as trustee and chairman of the Columbian Club Charitable Foundation! His dedication helped double the amount of academic scholarships awarded and left a lasting impact on countless students. Read more:"Caravello Caps Tenure of Giving" by Doug Graham.

EGV SISTER CITIES: Steve Schmidt is president of the Elk Grove Italian Sister Cities group, which promotes cultural exchanges between Elk Grove Village and Termini Imerese. With his leadership, the organization has launched a successful student exchange program. Read more: "Schmidt Leads Elk Grove's Sister Cities Effort" by Doug Graham.

NIAF REGION OF HONOR: The National Italian American Foundation has named the historic region of Lazio as its 2025 Region of Honor, celebrating its rich history, beauty, and modern innovations and connection to NIAF's 50th anniversary!

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

February 22 | Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance

Maria SS Lauretana Society (Contact: 773-736-3766)

February 22 | The Sanctum Project: Session Two

Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii (MORE INFO)

February 22-25 | 100 Miglia Experience Florida

National Italian American Foundation (Contact: information@NIAF.org)

February 23 | Italian Community Mass

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

February 26 | JCCIA General Meeting

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

February 28 | Festa Di Carnevale

Casa Italia (Contact: 708-345-5933)

March 1 | St. Joseph's Day Table

San Rocco di Potenza (Contact: 630-640-8412)

March 2 | Tavola di San Giuseppe

Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (Contact: 847-302-9460, 312-504-7112)

March 6 | Annual Heritage Celebration

Italian American Political Coalition (Contact: 708-369-2500 or judy.iapc@yahoo.com)

March 8 | Annual Dinner Dance

Societá SS. Crocifisso & San Giovanni Bosco di Ciminna (Contact: 847-577-8230)

March 8 | Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of St. Jude

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

March 11 | Festa Della Donna Celebration

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

March 13 | JSOL Children's Endowment Fund Dinner

Justinian Society of Lawyers (MORE INFO)

March 18 | Italian American Author Book Club

Casa Italia (Contact: lincapuz@gmail.com)

March 19 | Annual St. Joseph's Table

Columbian Club of Chicago (Contact: 708-715-6522 or events@columbianclub.org)

March 19 | St. Joseph's Table & Blessing

Calabresi in America Organization (Contact: ciao@calabresiinamerica.org)

March 23 | St. Joseph's Table

Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii (Contact: 312-421-3757)

March 29 | Lenten Pilgrimage: Pilgrims of Mercy

Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii (Contact: 312-421-3757)

March 29 | Dishes & Desserts

Society Burgio for Women (Contact: 847-902-1976 or societyburgioforwomen@gmail.com)

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! 

RESTAURANT REIMAGINED: Italian Village Restaurants has launched a new dining concept - Sotto - featuring a new "elevated" menu and vibe in the basement of their restaurant on Monroe! Check out their vision for the new setting- "Italian Village Reimagines its Lower Level" by Fra Noi

IL VOLO IN CHI: Don't miss your chance to see Il Volo performing at the Chicago Theatre on March 14, having first appeared there more than a decade earlier in the course of their first international tour. "Popera Supertars Il Volo" by Ron Onesti.

FLY TO BAR SIENA: Need to grab bite before your flight? Bar Siena has landed at O'Hare! This new spot at Terminal 5 features Italian street food, pizza, pasta and more, raising the bar for airport dining! "Bar Siena Takes Flight at O'Hare" by Fra Noi.

RECORD-BREAKING BITE: Buona Beef just created the world’s longest Italian beef sandwich—109 feet of bread, 75 pounds of beef, and a whole lot of deliciousness! "World's Longest Italian Beef Sandwich, world record set in Chicago, Illinois" by World Record Academy.

BARTLETT BASEBALL STAR: Meet Josh Colaizzi, the 17-year-old baseball player who just took home the Future Star Award at the 2024 Chicago Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame! Already a standout centerfielder at Bartlett High School and a top-ranked player in Illinois, Colaizzi is gearing up for a bright future in baseball. "Standout High School Centerfielder Josh Colaizzi" by Doug Graham.

DELI DELIGHTS: On the search for the best homemade meatballs in Illinois? Head over to Finuccio and Sons Italian Deli in Schaumburg, where their legendary meatball sub will have you coming back for more! "The Best Homemade Italian Meatballs in Illinois are at this popular Schaumburg Deli" by the Chicago Food King.

ALPINA POP-UP: Eataly Chicago Launches Alpina: A Winter Pop-Up Experience, a limited time experience, running through March 2025. 

OPERA AT THE BEACH: March 15 - a beautiful evening of classical music with Andrea Arena and more, supporting great causes like cancer research and St. Jude’s Hospital! "UNICO Rehoboth Area Chapter welcomes the return of ‘Opera at the Beach’" by the Italian-American Herald.

TIMELESS TUNE: Discover the story behind one of the most iconic songs of all time and its connection to Italy and America: "The Story of That's Amore" by Francesca Bezzone.

FUMI FEATURE: FOG Design+Art Fair lit up San Francisco with a record-breaking crowd and jaw-dropping pieces—Gallery Fumi stole the show with stunning art that'll make you rethink design! "Italian design takes center stage at FOG Design+Art thanks to Gallery Fumi" by Serena Perfetto.

OPERA & ARTS: BrAVA Philadelphia - "Academy of Vocal Arts hosts 90th anniversary celebration and gala" at the Kimmel Center, celebrating 90 years of the Academy of Vocal Arts with stunning performances by top alumni, including Grammy-winner Latonia Moore!

SIGNIFICANT STORY: Liliana unveils the powerful testimony of Holocaust survivor Liliana Segre, "Los Angeles: new documentary on Auschwitz survivor Liliana Segre" by Silvia Nittoli

MANCINI'S MICRODELI: Mancini's Italian Microdeli is bringing a taste of Umbria to Lewiston, ME - serving fresh sandwiches, pasta, and desserts with high-quality italian ingredients "Mancini’s Italian microdeli opens Wednesday in Lewiston (ME)" by Christopher Wheelock"

SEATTLE CINEMA: Cinema Italian Style brought Seattle a stunning showcase - "Seattle celebrates the best in Italian cinema" by Rita Cipella

NEW DISCOVERIES: You’ll never believe what has been uncovered at Pompeii! Archaeologists are planning to expand digs outside the city walls after new discoveries hint at even more ancient secrets waiting to be revealed! "Pompeii dig may extend outside city after discovery of ancient spa" by Jeanna Outlaw-Cannavo



FIERY FOCACCIA: Learn how to make a bold flavored focaccia at home! "Grupariata, Calabria’s red focaccia" by Chiara Dalessio

LOVE & ORANGES: In Vico del Gargano, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for love—it’s a vibrant celebration of San Valentino’s protection over the town’s citrus groves. Discover how oranges, love, and legend come together in this unique tradition. - "San Valentino in Vico del Gargano: the patron saint of love and … oranges!" by L'Italo Americano

CANDELORA ORIGINS: Explore the history behind the blessing of the candles during Candlemas, or Candelora. "From Rome to the Celts: the ancient origins of the Candelora" by Giulia Franceschini

MAGNIFICENT MONREALE: A hidden treasure beneath a carob tree, a cathedral of gold mosaics, and a powerful legacy — "Monreale: a modern reality with a keen eye on the past" by Teresa Di Fresco.

TOURISM TIPS: From the Jubilee to the Winter Olympics, discover how Italy plans to balance travelers and spread the love beyond Rome. "The great opportunity to discover Italy with the Jubilee" by Simone Schiavinato

ITALY'S TREASURES: Explore the breathtaking plateau of Calabria: "La Sila: a land of nature, beauty, and folklore" by Chiara Dalessio.

MEDIEVAL GEM: Discover one of the most striking architectural landmarks in Italy, "Compiano: a Medieval hamlet in the heart of Val di Taro" by L'Italo Americano