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General Meetings
2024
RSVP is required to the JCCIA Office
To RSVP contact jcc@jccia.com or call 708.450.9050
General Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at alternating locations. Please confirm date and location, as it is subject to change. All members, delegates, and interested parties are welcome to open meetings.
April 2025 General Meeting
The April JCCIA General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. More details coming soon!
March 2025 General Meeting
Thursday, March 20, 2025, the JCCIA held a St. Joseph's Celebration and Meeting at the Des Plaines Theatre! This special evening was held in collaboration with the Polish American community and featured a delicious menu of traditional Italian and Polish delicacies—a true celebration of culture, heritage, and unity.
The night started with a beautiful prayer by JCCIA's first woman president, Joann Spata. The Italian and American Anthems were sung by Paul Ciminello and the Polish Anthem was sung by the 2024 Polish Parade Queen Gabriela Ner and First Runner-Up Emily Sulka. We had presentations and speakers from the International Student Exchange, as well as Mark Dobrzycki, Harwood Heights Village Trustee and Executive Director of the PNA Polish Information Center, who spoke on the significance of the bond between the Polish and Italian community.
We were proud to honor the Italian American Executives of Transportation as a JCCIA Legacy Member, recognizing their long-standing dedication to the Italian American community and their support of the JCCIA. IAET also had a special surprise of presenting their Community Recognition Award to JCCIA President, Ron Onesti!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us in celebration and helped make this night so memorable!
February 2025 General Meeting
The February JCCIA General Meeting was held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. This meeting was held at Mazzini Verdi Club, located at 9230 Belmont Ave, Franklin Park, IL.
This meeting was the beginning of our monthly Affiliate Organization spotlight! Our first organization that was honored as a Legacy Member was Mazzini Verdi Club, for their dedication to the community and the JCCIA! Also, at this meeting Cook County Commissioner Maggie Trevor made a beautiful proclamation presentation to the JCCIA honoring Jo Ann Serpico. At this meeting, updates and reports that were presented by the officers and JCCIA committees.
In addition to the dinner menu, we had a special dessert sponsored by Angelo Lollino: Vero Gelato special edition Tiramisu Gelato! The night was complete with a surprise performance by opera singer, Benjamin De Los Monteros!
January 2025 General Meeting
On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the JCCIA held a General Meeting and Installation Dinner. The 2025-2026 JCCIA Officers and Committee Members with installed by the newly inaugurated Illinois Italian American Judges Association.
The evening was filled with memorable moments, including inspiring speeches from JCCIA President Ron Onesti, Consul General Mario Bartoli and NIAF President Robert Allegrini.
The biggest highlight of the night was a surprise special appearance by "America's Tenor" Christopher Macchio! Just two days after performing at the United States Presidential Inauguration, Christopher joined us for an unforgettable musical experience!
December 2024 General Meeting
The 2024 JCCIA Christmas Celebration Meeting and Dinner was held on Monday, December 9, 2024. This meeting was at Venuti's Banquet Hall, located at 2251 W Lake St., Addison, IL 60101. The election for the 2025-26 JCCIA Officers will took place at this meeting.
The elected JCCIA 2025-26 Officers are:
President, Ron Onesti
1st Vice President, Christopher DeSanto
2nd Vice President, Pat Capriati
3rd Vice President, Laura Orrico
Treasurer, Mario Cinardi
Secretary, Sam Cannizzaro
Sgt. At Arms, Ron DiMichele
November 2024 General Meeting
Happy Thanksgiving! There will be no JCCIA General Meeting for the month of November.
October 2024 General Meeting
The October 2024 General Meeting was held on Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 at 6:30PM. This meeting was held in The Community Center at Casa Italia, located at 3800 Division St., Stone Park, IL. This was our last meeting at Casa Italia before renovations begin.
All Affiliate Organizations were encouraged to attend with their members. This meeting was open to all memberships and friends of the JCCIA. At this meeting, there were updates regarding upcoming JCCIA events, October Italian Heritage and Culture Month events, as well as reports that were presented by all committees.
During this meeting, JCCIA President Ron Onesti announced the nomination of Phyllis Schoene as the new JCCIA Executive Director. Phyllis has been involved with the JCCIA and a member of the Women's Division since 1966. We are extremely honored and grateful to have this position filled by someone who is as dedicated to their Italian heritage as she is. Congratulations Phyllis!
There will be no JCCIA General Meeting for the month of November.
September 2024 General Meeting
The September 2024 General Meeting was held on Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 at 6:30PM. This meeting was held in The Caroline Room at Biagio Events, located at 4242 N Central Ave., Chicago, IL.
All Affiliate Organizations were encouraged to attend with their members. This meeting was open to all memberships and friends of the JCCIA. At this meeting, there were updates given regarding upcoming JCCIA events, the Columbus Day Parade, October Italian Heritage and Culture Month events, as well as reports that were presented by all committees. This was our final planning meeting before the Chicago Columbus Day Parade that took place on October 14, 2024.
At this meeting we also welcomed our new Consul General from Italy, Mario Bartoli.
August 2024 General Meeting
The August JCCIA General Meeting was held on Wednesday, August 28th, 2024 at 6:30PM. This meeting was held at Mazzini Verdi Club, located at 9230 Belmont Ave., Franklin Park, IL.
All Affiliate Organizations were encouraged to attend with their members. This meeting was open to all memberships and friends of the JCCIA. At this meeting, updates regarding the JCCIA's 2024 events, as well as reports that were presented by all committees. During this meeting, we also said a fond farewell to our Consul General, Thomas Botzios, as his four year term in Chicago has come to an end.
July 2024 General Meeting
The 2024 July General Meeting was held on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 at 6:30PM. This meeting was held at the Casa Italia Pavilion, located at 3800 Division St., Stone Park, IL.
All Affiliate Organizations were encouraged to attend with their members. This meeting was open to all memberships and friends of the JCCIA. At this meeting, there was a special salute to the 100 Pilots, Military Officers, and Technical Crew of the Frecce Tricolori, who were in attendance that evening. At this meeting we said farewell to the Heroes of Frecce Tricolori. We had an incredible week filled with unforgettable events and memorable moments, thanks to the amazing Airmen of the Italian Air Force! Mille grazie to everyone who came out and showed their Italian pride, your support made these events truly special!
This meeting also consisted of updates regarding the JCCIA's 2024 events, as well as reports that were presented by all committees.
June 2024 General Meeting
The June General Meeting was held on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 at 6:30PM. This meeting was held at Donny G's Ristorante, located at 7308 W North Ave., Elmwood Park, IL 60707.
All Affiliate Organizations were encouraged to attend with their members. This meeting was open to all memberships and friends of the JCCIA. At this meeting, there were updates regarding the JCCIA's 2024 events, as well as reports that were presented by all committees.
May 2024 General Meeting
The May JCCIA General Meeting was held on Wednesday, May 29th, 2024 at 6:30PM. This meeting was held at the Rocco Vino's Italian Restaurant located at 4747 N. Harlem Ave., Harwood Heights, IL.
All Affiliate Organizations were encouraged to attend with their members. This meeting was open to all memberships and friends of the JCCIA. At this meeting, there were updates given regarding the JCCIA's 2024 events, as well as reports that were presented by all committees.
April 2024 General Meeting
The regular monthly meeting of the JCCIA originally scheduled for April 24 will be cancelled due to the sorrowful and untimely passing of Executive Director Jo Ann Serpico.
The next regular monthly meeting will be May 29 at Rocco Vino's in Harwood Heights.
March 2024 General Meeting
President Ron Onesti, Officers, and Executive Committee held the March 2024 General Meeting of the JCCIA on Wednesday, March 27th, 2024 at 6:30PM. This meeting was held at the Mazzini Verdi Club, located at 9230 W. Belmont, Franklin Park, IL.
All Affiliate Organizations were encouraged to attend with their members. This meeting was open to all memberships and friends of the JCCIA. At this meeting, there were updates regarding the JCCIA's 2024 events, as well as reports that were presented by all committees.
February 2024 General Meeting
President Ron Onesti and Officers held the 2024 February JCCIA General Meeting on Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 at 6:30PM. This meeting was held at Francesca's Tavola, located at 208 S Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL.
All Affiliate Organizations were encouraged to attend with their members. This meeting was open to all memberships and friends of the JCCIA. At this meeting, reports were presented by all committees.
January 2024 General Meeting
The January JCCIA General Meeting was held on Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 at 6:30PM. The location of this meeting was The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, Illinois.
This meeting was open to all memberships and friends of the JCCIA. A complimentary dinner sponsored by JCCIA President, Ron Onesti, was served.
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