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Highland Park proclaims 'Don Sante Bartoli Day,' welcomes delegation from Modena, Italy
Summary
Mayor Nancy Rotering read a proclamation honoring Don Sante Bartoli and the city hosted a delegation from Modena, Italy. Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation leaders and State Senator Julie Morrison offered remarks and the city presented tokens and a diary gift from the delegation.
Mayor Nancy Rotering read a proclamation at the Jan. 12, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting designating the day as Don Sante Bartoli Day and welcoming an official delegation from Modena, Italy.
The proclamation summarized Bartolai’s life, noted his recognition at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and his founding of the Città dei Ragazzi (a vocational and residential program modeled on Boys Town). Mayor Rotering and Sister Cities leaders said the visit underscores longstanding cultural and educational exchanges between Highland Park and its sister cities.
Carol Wolfe, president of the Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation, thanked the mayor and council and described the bond between the communities, noting volunteers and founders who helped establish the Modena relationship. State Senator Julie Morrison also addressed the gathering, praising Highland Park’s long history of international exchanges and welcoming the delegation.
Delegation members were introduced by name and were presented with certificates and a city coin; delegation representative Don Stefano presented a diary written by Don Sante Bartolai and indicated plans for an English edition to deepen the connection between Modena and Highland Park.
The mayor invited the delegation and council to pause for pictures and thanked the group for their visit. The presentation was ceremonial; no formal council action was taken on the proclamation itself.
