From the Building Trades to CISCO Leadership: Dan Allen Honored as IALC’s 2025 Man of the Year

September 17, 2025

IALC 2025 Annual Dinner Dance Honoring Man of the Year CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Drury Lane
100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL
For ticket sales, contact:
Michael Somone: 312-907-0039
Joe Serpico: 630-853-9052
Tony Guida: 312-339-1437

BURR RIDGE – The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) proudly announces that its Executive Director, Dan Allen, has been selected as the 2025 Man of the Year by the Italian American Labor Council (IALC) of Greater Chicago. Allen will be honored at the IALC’s annual dinner celebration this fall, recognizing his decades of leadership, commitment to organized Labor, and lasting impact on the Union construction industry.

Allen has served as CISCO’s Executive Director since 2013, leading the labor-management organization that represents 140,000 Union workers and 8,000 Union contractors across six counties. Under his leadership, CISCO has strengthened its role in enhancing worker training, promoting Apprenticeship programs, improving safety initiatives, advancing fair contracting practices, and fostering collaboration between labor and management.

Allen is a proud member of the Chicago-based IBEW Local 134 since 1982, and is affiliated with the Electrical Contractors Association. Allen has deep roots in the Union construction trades with a long, multi-generational history of Union activism. Before joining CISCO, he had a 30-year career with the City of Chicago. Allen worked his way up the ranks from Inspector, to Supervisor, to Chief Electrical Inspector – a position he held for 10 years. Allen respects Union relationships, promotes fair wages (“prevailing wage”), is protective of Labor rights, and tries to ensure contractors and workers are both heard.

“I am truly humbled to be named Man of the Year by the Italian American Labor Council. This recognition is truly about CISCO, our members and its rich history. This honor reflects the dedication of our Unions, contractors, and partners who work tirelessly to strengthen the Union construction industry and our communities,” Allen said. “As someone whose family has deep roots in the Union trades, this honor is especially meaningful. I share it with all the men and women who build our future every day, and I remain committed to expanding opportunities for the next generation.”

Allen’s service extends far beyond his role at CISCO. He currently sits on the Boards of Chicago Building Congress; Choose DuPage as its Workforce Committee Chair; and Gateway to Learning as its Facilities Committee Chair, an organization promoting lifelong inclusion for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Allen is also a member of the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute.

“Dan Allen represents the very best of Chicago’s Labor tradition — dedication, integrity, and a vision for a stronger future for both workers and contractors,” said IALC President Anthony Guida. “We are proud to recognize Dan’s leadership and contributions with this honor.”

When he’s not championing Labor causes, Allen enjoys playing handball (since his golf swing is still a work in progress). He and his wife, Sue, live in Chicago and are proud parents of four children and recent grandparents for the first time.

The Italian American Labor Council’s annual Man of the Year Dinner Dance takes place Saturday, October 11, at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact these Italian American Labor Council members:
Michael Somone: 312-907-0039
Joe Serpico: 630-853-9052
Tony Guida: 312-339-1437