Champions of Construction: CISCO Celebrates Advocate, Educator, and Public Body of the Year
February 16, 2026
BURR RIDGE – At its 2026 Annual Meeting, CISCO proudly recognized three outstanding leaders whose dedication and partnership continue to strengthen the Union construction industry across northern Illinois. Honored as Construction Advocate of the Year, Educator of the Year, and Public Body of the Year, each recipient exemplifies the collaboration, leadership, and commitment to excellence that drive progress in building strong communities and expanding opportunities for the next generation of skilled Union trade professionals.
Construction Advocate of the Year – Robert Parrilli
CISCO recognized Robert Parrilli – IL Department of Labor Conciliation and Mediation Division Manager, as its Construction Advocate of the Year, honoring a career defined by steadfast leadership, advocacy for working people, and a lifelong commitment to protecting prevailing wage and Labor standards in Illinois.
In accepting the award, Parrilli reflected on the pivotal 2015–16 period, when Illinois Labor Unions and signatory contractors faced significant challenges under then-Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration. He recalled the high-stakes fight to defend prevailing wage and collective bargaining rights, noting that the effort required coordinated action, mass mobilization, and ultimately, legal challenges to protect both employers and Union members.
Parrilli thanked the many individuals who stood together during that time, emphasizing that the battle was about fairness, accountability, and respect for working people. Though recently retired, he made clear that his commitment to the labor movement remains strong.
CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen highlighted Parrilli’s decades-long career in the Union construction industry, beginning with his start in Chicago-based IBEW Local 134 in 1978 and his advancement to Business Representative in 1996, where he served for 17 years strengthening both Union membership and signatory contractors.
Allen also praised Parrilli’s leadership at the Illinois Department of Labor, where he served as Manager of the Conciliation and Mediation Division. In that role, Parrilli was a strong ally for Labor, ensuring accurate and timely certified payroll compliance, modernizing the state’s payroll submission system, and helping level the playing field by holding contractors accountable who attempt to “cheat to compete.”
Together, the remarks underscored Parrilli’s lasting impact on Illinois’ construction industry and his unwavering defense of prevailing wage, fair competition, and the rights of union tradesworkers — values that earned him CISCO’s Construction Advocate of the Year honor.
Educator of the Year – Bari Swartz
Bari Swartz, College and Career Counselor at Waukegan High School’s Washington Campus, was named CISCO’s 2025 Educator of the Year at the organization’s Annual Meeting, where her remarks reflected both pride and purpose.
Swartz, who brings more than 20 years of experience in education and holds a master’s degree in school counseling from Johns Hopkins University, has spent the past two years transforming career readiness opportunities at Waukegan. When she first joined the school, there was no formal college or career pathway program in place. Today, the campus boasts fully functional and fully staffed HVAC, Woods, and Mechatronics programs — the result of intentional planning and collaboration.
In accepting the award, Swartz emphasized that she could not stand before the 300 industry leaders in attendance without recognizing the remarkable work of her students and colleagues. She expressed gratitude that CISCO and its members are acknowledging the efforts taking place at Waukegan, noting that the honor represents something the school community has “fought really hard for.”
A champion of “parity in prestige,” Swartz has designed and implemented a comprehensive post-secondary preparation track to ensure students entering skilled trades and Apprenticeship programs receive the same rigorous support as those pursuing four-year universities. Her students receive high-level guidance on apprenticeship applications, career readiness, and skill-building — ensuring they are prepared to enter the union construction industry with confidence.
Swartz also called on those in attendance to use their connections and influence to show students that their voices and talents matter. Her remarks were met with strong applause, reinforcing the shared commitment between education and organized labor.
CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen praised Swartz’s leadership and team-first mindset, noting that she consistently credits her leadership and CTE teams for the program’s success. Allen referenced a quote displayed during the groundbreaking of the Obama Presidential Center: “Change starts one person at a time, one school at a time, one neighborhood and one community at a time.”
He added that Swartz and her team are putting those words into action — changing one student, one school, and one community at a time — as they prepare young people for successful careers in the union construction industry.
Public Body of the Year – Village of LaGrange
The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) Board of Directors unanimously selected Village of La Grange President Mark Kuchler and the Village of La Grange as its 2026 Public Body of the Year in recognition of their leadership in passing a Responsible Bidder Ordinance (RBO).
President Kuchler, a Loyola University Chicago School of Law graduate who has served as Village President since 2020, was praised for his thoughtful leadership and commitment to protecting taxpayers and working families. Known for his accessibility through his popular “Coffee with the President” gatherings, Kuchler has built strong connections within the vibrant west suburban community, home to a historic downtown, iconic 100-plus-year-old theater, renowned Pet Parade, West End Art Fair, and numerous events at Gordon Park.
CISCO Executive Director Dan Allen credited independent research from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI), including the work of Josh Wagner and Frank Manzo, for helping inform the Village’s decision. The data demonstrated the value Responsible Bidder Ordinances provide to taxpayers, businesses, and workers alike.
Allen also highlighted Kuchler’s firm response during debate over the ordinance, when concerns were raised about out-of-state contractors. Kuchler remarked pointedly, “A contractor can’t be somebody who started last week, watched a YouTube video, and is now paving a parking lot for us,” underscoring the need for experienced, qualified professionals on municipal projects.
In accepting the award, Kuchler thanked Trustees Lou Gale and Peggy Peterson for their instrumental roles in passing the RBO. He candidly shared lessons learned from past projects, including a water tower painting contract awarded to an out-of-state firm that later required warranty repairs after paint failure. The experience raised concerns about accountability and long-term quality.
He also described a sidewalk replacement bid that came in 25 percent lower than competitors. Upon further review, Trustee Gale discovered the contractor had no municipal experience and had never performed concrete work. “This isn’t a qualified bid. This isn’t a responsible bid,” Kuchler recalled, calling the moment a turning point that solidified the Village’s need for reform.
Working alongside the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council and Operating Engineers Local 150, the Village drafted an ordinance ensuring contractors meet clear standards of responsibility and experience. Kuchler emphasized that the goal is simple: to secure high-quality work, completed properly and efficiently, while delivering the best value to residents.
Through research-driven leadership and a commitment to fairness and quality, President Kuchler and the Village of La Grange have reinforced the importance of responsible bidding practices — protecting taxpayers and supporting a skilled, qualified construction workforce.
