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Chicago’s 2023 Columbus Day Parade to be Led by Vantius Founder

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans has named a first-generation Italian entrepreneur as Chairman of the 71st Annual Columbus Day Parade in Chicago during Illinois’ first state-designated Italian Heritage Month in October.
Sergio Serritella

Sergio Serritella, founder and president of the professional investigations firm Vantius, will lead the parade and welcome Italian dignitaries as Chicago celebrates the 50th Anniversary of its sister cities relationship with Milan, Italy.

“I’ve been doing this for the last 35 years, and I couldn’t be more excited about the leadership of the parade,” said Ron Onesti, President of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. “Youth, strength, vigor, passion, we’re so lucky and we’re so glad to have Sergio be part of this.”
JCCIA

The theme for this year’s parade, Made in Italy, highlights tourism, innovation, and Italian-made products. The U.S. imported more than $69 billion in products from Italy in 2022 alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“This celebration is about shining a light on Italians whose spirit of exploration and creativity is responsible for some of the world’s most famous art, cuisine, fashion, and architecture in ways that still impact and inspire generations,” Serritella said. “I’m honored to work with amazing people to celebrate Italian heritage and ideas that cross borders, and this year promises to be a spectacular tribute, especially with our sister city Milan.”
Milan became a sister city to Chicago in 1973, forging a formal partnership to strengthen relationships and advance cultural, educational, and economic activities.
Serritella is a member of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans and the Italian American Executives of Transportation (IEAT). Serritella has won an award or two in Venetian boat parades, and on land he received the 2001 David Award in the field of government from the Italo-American National Union.

“Over the years Sergio has been generous to the Italian-American community, and he honors our heritage in the way that he lives and treats people everyday,” said Vito D’Ambrosio, President of the Italian American Executives of Transportation (IAET). “I’m proud to call him family as well as the chairman of this year’s parade.”

Serritella’s firm, Vantius, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year. Law firms look to Vantius for investigative support and intelligence advantages during criminal and civil litigation and to prevent fraud. Over the decades, Vantius’ client list has grown to include celebrities, family offices, and professional athletes.
Vantius’ team includes an attorney, crisis communications expert, and forensic specialists, and its cases have made worldwide news. Some of Vantius’ earliest investigations have helped exonerate wrongfully convicted men and women, one of whom served 30 years of a life sentence without the possibility of parole for a murder he did not commit.
The parade will be held Monday, Oct. 9, and is expected to draw thousands of people to State Street. Attendees can also watch the event on television at ABC7 or live streamed online at ABC7Chicago.com.
“To me, Columbus Day is a celebration of Italian culture at large and the opportunities that arise when people boldly commit to a vision,” Serritella said. “That bold commitment to doing something new and believing anything is possible is the heartbeat behind all innovation.”