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A new era of political engagement dawned on Aug. 8 when the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans hosted its inaugural Government Relations Luncheon. More than 100 public officials at every level of local government converged on the Des Plaines Theatre for the event, which honored State Rep. Anthony DeLuca and former county official turned pol...

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Casa Italia’s popular film series will start later this year due to the high level of activity at the Casa during Italian American Heritage Month. A pair of films will screen in November, followed by another pair in January. The series is made possible through the support of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura of Chicago. “Palio” will be screened on N...

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What’s an ethnic group to do when its icons are under assault? There’s the traditional approach, which relies heavily on anger-fueled protest marches. Then there’s the Enza Raineri way. If you were to codify the crisis management playbook of this longtime government official turned political consultant, it would read something like this: Get your f...

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Midwesterners, rejoice! If seeing the Colosseum in Rome is on your travel wishlist, you'll have a new – and great – option to fly to Italy next year. Italian carrier ITA Airways announced this week it'll launch nonstop nonstop flights between Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) and Rome (FCO) beginning April 7, 2024.  The airline will fly that route six times a w...

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The Italian Trade Agency of NY is pleased to announce its third edition of "THE ITALIAN RESTAURANTS TODAY" project, a series of virtual and in person masterclasses, hosted by awarded chefs, for aspiring and professional chefs and hospitality professionals, to enhance the awareness of authentic Made in Italy products, culinary techniques and present...

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This October, Eataly Chicago introduces a second iteration of Icons of Eataly, a program which celebrates Italian dishes and ingredients. Following the success of its inaugural series in May 2023, which featured the stories of six pasta dishes, the new edition will focus on Italy’s pizza. Icons of Eataly: Pizza Edition will highlight six kinds of N...

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Dawn Marie Galtieri has devoted most of her professional career to nurturing Voice of the City, a small multi-arts nonprofit she founded 24 years ago in Chicago. “Our mission is to build community through making art and teaching art,” she explains. The nonprofit has a staff of two — Galtieri, who serves as executive and artistic director, and Chris...

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On the day the U.S. commemorates Christopher Columbus’ landing in the Americas, Italian Americans in the Chicago area are demanding the city return three statues of the explorer that were removed due to protests. In 2020, then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered the removal of the statues from Grant Park, Arrigo Park and South Chicago. At the time, Lightf...

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Columbus Day is Monday, October 9, and for many Italian Americans the annual national holiday now comes with the sting of having to fight for their place in American society all over again. “In this age of cancel culture, we’ve gone from perpetuating the contributions Italians have made to America to defending them,” Ron Onesti, President of the Jo...

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When Riccardo Muti stepped down from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra last season, after 13 years as its conductor, the ensemble promptly turned around and named him music director emeritus for life. In a two-part season opener at Carnegie Hall this week, it was easy to hear why. Under Muti, the Chicago Symphony is all power and finesse with no unsig...

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