A new day is dawning at Casa Italia as the village of Stone Park enters into negotiations with the Scalabrini Fathers to purchase the property bordered by Division Street and 39th, 37th and Soffel avenues. The Casa currently leases the property from the religious order. Plans for the property include a park district-style facility with banquet room...

The International Press Club of Chicago hosted an eye-opening presentation by Italian Consul General Thomas Botzios on July 29 at the museum. The Consul General was introduced by IPCC President Wayne Toberman. Overseeing an 11-state jurisdiction, Botzios spoke proudly of the enormous positive economic impact Italy is having on America, with more th...

A philanthropic powerhouse for more than 30 years, the Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization has bestowed nearly $900,000 in scholarships and tens of thousands of dollars more to veterans in need over the decades. In years past, most of those funds were raised at CIACO’s annual Honor and Hope gala, but last year the organization pivo...

The Italian Cultural Center at Casa Italia in Stone Park will unveil a restored and enhanced Italians in Chicago exhibit at an open house from 6-9 p.m. on May 12. Archivists Terry Quilico and Barbara Stasell began work on the project two years ago under the direction of the exhibit’s creator, ICC Library Curator Dominic Candeloro. “The exhibit was...

Casa Italia will honor Edward S. Lezza Jr. as Man of the Year and Joseph A. Russo as Humanitarian of the Year at its 2023 gala. The event will take place on Feb. 25 at Ashton Place in Willowbrook. For details, click here. The following profiles were provided by the organization. Edward S. Lezza Jr. Edward S. Lezza Jr. is a resident of Westchester,...

THE ITALIAN CULTURAL CENTER IS one part of Casa Italia located at the former Sacred Heart Seminary, west of Chicago. Their mission is the preservation and promotion of Italian-American culture in and around the city. The Italian Cultural Center consists of several individual galleries. The Florence Bartolomei Rosselli Library, established by the se...

There is strength in numbers, the adage goes, and nowhere is that more apparent than at Casa Italia in Stone Park, where more than a dozen organizations will join forces to stage the Casa’s eighth annual Christmas Village. The complimentary open house is slated for Dec. 4. A Presepio Vivente, or Living Nativity, will be performed by ARPA/San Nicola...

Film aficionados have hungered for the return of Casa Italia’s beloved feast of Italian cinema, and the wait is finally over. The Casa’s 2022 Italian film series will reboot on Oct. 21 and run for four glorious Fridays. The host of the series will once again be Pam DeFiglio, a veteran Chicago editor, columnist and arts critic. Here’s the lineup: Oc...

The Italian American Executives of Transportation have donated $6,500 from the proceeds of their 2022 fashion show to Casa Italia. The check was presented to Casa Chairman Ron Onesti by Fashion Show Committee Co-Chair Dr. Michele Monica Daly at the IAET’s July meeting. The event was also co-chaired by Theresa Cascio and Grace Galletta, with Jadon Q...

The Italian American Veterans Museum will host Festival del Vino from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 18, at Casa Italia in Stone Park. A multifaceted celebration of Italian wine, the event is being held in cooperation with Binny’s Beverage Depot, Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Market and Onesti Entertainment. The festival will offer the opportunity to sam...