Pam DeFiglio

Pam DeFiglio is a senior content editor focusing on coverage of Chicago's near north suburbs.

Supporting local businesses doesn't just help the owners. It also helps people who live in town. Here, Bennison's Bakery in Evanston is busy meeting the demand for paczki in this 2019 file photo.

Column: Free pizza! And 10 other reasons to buy tires or shoes or cakes from local businesses

May 5, 2020 at 4:33 p.m.

Just a few minutes from your home, someone owns a business that's fighting to survive the coronavirus pandemic. This person may have kids who go to your children's school, or...

Column: For Italian-Americans, COVID-19’s destruction in Italy particularly hard to watch

April 8, 2020 at 9:41 p.m.

Only once before have I seen St. Peter's Square empty. It was on a magical night — Christmas Eve of the year I spent as a college student in Rome....

Taste of Elmwood Park To Take Place Aug. 8-11

July 30, 2019 at 9:07 p.m.

Food lovers can look forward to the annual Taste of Elmwood Park, which will feature lots of seafood this year, in addition to the usual tempting offerings. The Taste will...

On two platforms about 60 feet apart, two girls, wearing angel-like dresses, climbed well above the crowd, got fitted into harnesses and were "flown," via a rope and pulley system, to meet in the center.

Lauretana Fest debuts in Niles after 20 years in Berwyn

May 9, 2019 at 11:41 a.m.

A 115-year-old Italian festival took place in Niles for the first time on Labor Day weekend, attracting large and enthusiastic crowds and garnering praise. The Maria Santissima Lauretana festival, which...

A replica of the ship from the 1600s legend was on display at the 2014 festival.

Italian festival moves to Niles on 115th anniversary

May 9, 2019 at 11:40 a.m.

A legend from the 1600s, an old-world curiosity called the "Flight of the Angels" and a rich part of Chicago's Italian-American history are coming to Niles on Labor Day weekend....

People wait to enter a bank, prior its opening on July 20 in Athens. Greek banks reopened on July 20 after a shutdown lasting three weeks imposed by the government to avert a crash in the banking system over the country's debt crisis.

Some Chicagoland Greeks traveling to homeland despite crisis

May 9, 2019 at 11:40 a.m.

Rita Petratos of Niles says she's worried about how her uncle in Greece is faring during the country's debt crisis, which has rattled global financial markets. Despite the much-publicized bank...

Athanasios Kondilis of Des Plaines was volunteering to make saganaki, a type of cheese presented with a flash of flame.

Greek Fest brings Mediterranean dancing, food to Niles

May 9, 2019 at 11:40 a.m.

Having just come back from Greece, Chris Hanes of Lombard headed for the Greek taverna tent at the Big Greek Food Fest of Niles Friday, July 17. He came away...

In this file photo, Kerri Miller, left, Brookelyn Miller, Rose Hoffman and Joey Hoffman wave to the crowd during the Morton Grove Independence Day parade of 2014.

Morton Grove Days to put mayor in dunk tank

May 9, 2019 at 6:08 p.m.

Morton Grove is ready to burst into party mode Thursday, July 2, when Morton Grove Days kicks off with a carnival, games, live music and a food court. The festivities...

The group took a quick break in a shady spot, since it was a hot day, during Bike Morton Grove on Saturday, June 13.

Bike Morton Grove group shoves off to promote cycling

May 9, 2019 at 6:07 p.m.

Residents have formed a group to promote bicycling in the community, take advantage of the bike trails in Morton Grove and make the community safe for cyclists. The group, Bike...

Morton Grove Village Board votes on local marijuana ordinance

May 9, 2019 at 6:07 p.m.

Morton Grove officials have moved to have some illegal marijuana possession cases heard by a village adjudicator. The Village Board voted unanimously at its June 22 meeting to have smaller...

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