About Us

Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans

About Us

The JCCIA generally meets the 4th Thursday of each month
Call us at (708)450-9050 for more information

Who We Are and What We Do -

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans is an independent non-profit association dedicated to preserving Italian
American heritage and providing a unified voice for metropolitan Chicago's Italian American community. Founded in 1952,
the JCCIA serves as a congress for more than 65 Italian American organizations, as well as a clearinghouse for information
about the Chicago area Italian American community. Working alongside the JCCIA are its three divisions: Women's Division,
West Suburban Women's Division, and Young Professionals Division.

Civic Events -

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Humanitarian of the Year Award is presented
annually to those whose lives exemplify the virtues of caring, humanity and good will that were the hallmark of Cardinal
Bernardin's tenure as Archbishop of Chicago. Past recipients (including Cardinal Berardin) that have received the award
are: renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Leonard J. Cerullo, Monsignor Kenneth Velo, who was the advisor to the late Cardinal,
automobile dealer and philanthropist Joseph Rizza, State Farm President Vincent J. Trosino, Reverend Richard Fragomeni
Phd, Oscar D'Angelo, Phil Stefani, Former State Representative Ralph Capparelli, Joe Ahern and many other distinguished
Italian Americans. In addition, the Women's Division holds an Impressa Awards luncheon to honor Italian American women
who have made significant contributions to their communities such as Allison Rosati, Marie Pinto, Dr. Santina Litturi, Emman
Tranter, Judge Gloria Coco.

Cultural Events -

For nearly half a century, the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans has sponsored Chicago's Columbus Day
celebration. Festivities begin with a Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, a wreath laying ceremony at the Columbus
Statue located in Arrigo Park, followed by the parade. Beginning 2007 for the first time in our history, the parade will be held
on a Saturday, following the tradition of all other ethnic groups. The parade of over 150 floats, bands and marching units
goes down Columbus Drive. The parade is led by Mayor Richard M. Daley, Governor Rod Blagoevich and other city and
state officials.

The Italian Heritage Ball and Cotillion, sponsored by the Women's Division of the JCCIA is a tribute to the grace and
elegance of our Italian culture. In this spectacular event, young women of our community are formally presented to society.
The Debutantes will spend the year in engaging in community service activities and participating in social events,
culminating with their presentation at the Italian Heritage Ball and Cotillion.

Human Relations -

The Human Relations Committee of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans promotes a positive image of Italian
Americans within the society at large and fights defamation and discrimination against our community. Just recently, we
joined forces with other Italian American organizations to protest a play for seventh and eighth grade students attending a
public school in Batavia which degraded Italian Americans.

Each year, the Human Relations Committee presents the coveted Dante Award to a member of the local news media who
has answered Dante Alighieri's call to be "no timid friend to truth". Past recipients have been Irv Kupcinet, John Madigan,
Hugh Hill, Dick Kay, Joan Esposito, Walter Jacobson, Mark Giangreco, Emily Barr, Larry Wert, Allison Rosati, Joe Ahern,
Merri Dee, Dominic Mancuso, Frank Mathie, Vince Gerasole and Ron Magers.

It is a tribute to the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans that the Dante Award Luncheon, twenty or more past
honorees attend are seated at the head table. This event is attended by over 250 representatives of the Italian American
community.

Scholarships -

More than $200,000 has been awarded to students of Italian heritage over the years by the JCCIA through the John
Fischetti Scholarship, which is presented each year to two young journalism students at the Dante Award. More than
$175,000 has been awarded over the years to young Italian American women through Women's Division at their annual
Scholarship Fashion Show and over $25,000 through the JCCIA at the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Humanitarian of the Year
Award reception. Needless to say, this important program will continue for years to come.

Other Special Endeavors -

Grants are provided for the worthy projects which benefit Chicago's Italian American community. JCCIA members and
friends take part in many ethnic cultural programs sponsored by the City of Chicago and other groups. We provide
information to individuals, local, national and international groups on subjects concerning Italy, Italians and Italian
Americans. We work closely with Fra Noi our Italian American voice, the Italian Consulate Office, the National Italian
American Foundation (Washington D.C.), the Italian Cultural Center and other important groups.