The first meeting of the 2017 term of JCCIA officers was called to order at Trattoria Poretta. Over 70 people were in attendance, representing Italian organizations throughout Chicagoland. Among them were the Italian Chamber of Commerce, UNICO, ARSA, Italian American War Veteran, Italian American Executives of Transportation, Italian American Human Relations Foundation, Justinian Society of Lawyers, Calabresi in America Organization, Società San Giovanni Bosco SS. Crocifisso di Ciminna, Elk Grove Sister Cities, and the JCCIA Women’s Division and Young Professionals Division.

On the agenda for discussion was the Columbus Day Parade. 2017 Parade Chairman Sergio Giangrande was present. Giangrande is a mortgage adviser with People’s Home Equity in Oak Brook. “I am so excited about Sergio’s participation this year as Parade Chairman,” said JCCIA President Enza Raineri. “He embodies what it means to be a modern-day Italian American success story, and is committed to working and preserving the culture of the Italian community in Chicago.”