A little bit of Italy comes to Elk Grove

About 30 Sicilians arrived at Elk Grove Village Hall on Friday with gifts for village officials, who were hosting a delegation from their sister city.

Elk Grove officials got banners and quilts, while members of the delegation from Termini Imerese were given Elk Grove gift bags filled with coffee cups, shirts and lapel pins.

"Boards and mayors come and go, but the connections last,"ˆť said Mario Montana, president of the sister city group in Termini Imerese, through a translator.

After the introductions at village hall, Elk Grove Village trustees took their visitors on a tour of the fire department.

Enzo Giunta, the mayor of Termini Imerese, could not make the trip. But he sent a letter, which was read aloud, that mentioned the importance of cultural exchange and learning about other parts of the world.

"I embrace all of you," Giunta's letter said. "Our home is your home."

Hoping for an exchange of ideas, the delegation from Termini Imerese will be in the village until Friday.

Village representatives will take them to luncheons, dinner receptions and on trips to Millennium Park, the Field Museum and to Woodfield Shopping Center.

Mainly, though, the visitors will look closely at the way the village operates, especially when it comes to its departments and business park.

Like Elk Grove, the Italian delegation is part of Sister Cities International, which represents cities in 125 countries. It was founded after World War II as part of President Eisenhower's plan to bridge American and foreign communities.

The delegates come from Sicily, one of Italy's most popular tourist spots. At one time or another, the Romans, Greeks, Normans and Spanish all left their marks on the island.

It's the delegation's second trip to Elk Grove Village. In 2004, about 30 members arrived in Elk Grove to visit.

In 2002, about 30 Elk Grove Village delegates visited the seaport founded in 400 B.C. in the province of Palermo. It is known for its thermal springs and its industrial area.