Our History
In 1979, William T. Connelly Sr. founded Connelly Electric in the basement of his home, planting the seeds for what would grow into a leader in innovation and collaboration within the electrical construction industry. With unwavering dedication, his four sons— Bill, Joe, Kevin, and Brian—carried on his legacy, driving the company to the forefront of the industry. Today, Connelly Electric's commitment to safety, innovation, and customer satisfaction remains stronger than ever, driven by a shared ambition to lead the industry and exceed the expectations of our clients, partners, and community.
1980s
Continued Growth
- Market Sector Focus:Service & Maintenance, Multi-Family Residential, Retail
- # of Employees:12
- Project Highlights:Willows of Wheaton Apartments
1979
Connelly Electric is founded by William Sr. and Patricia Connelly in the basement of their home with the help of Bill Jr.
1981
Joseph Connelly joins his father and brother Bill at Connelly Electric.
1986
Kevin Connelly is welcomed into the business.
1989
After the passing of William Connelly Sr., Patricia Connelly and her sons take the helm, continuing its legacy as a family business.
1990s
Reaching Major Milestones
- Added Focus Sectors:Design/Build, Commercial, Industrial
- # of Employees:50
- Project Highlights:- Roman Inc - DuPont
1990
Brian Connelly is welcomed into Connelly Electric.
1992
The business moves from the Connelly’s home to their first operational facility on Irmen Drive in Addison, IL.
1997
Design/Build becomes a major company focus, bringing professional engineers on staff to design and become the engineer of record.
1998
The brothers purchase property at 40 S. Addison Road and build a 40k SF building from the ground up.
2000s
Bringing Our Legacy to New Markets
- Added Focus Sectors:Healthcare, Higher Education, Aviation, Tenant Improvement
- # of Employees:150
- Project Highlights:- Kennedy King College - United Cargo - Edward Hospital
2005
Healthcare projects are introduced and become an integral part of business.
2007
At the forefront of technology, BIM technology is implemented.
2009
Connelly starts its own in-house prefabrication operations, and the first of third-generation family members begin to join the business.
2010s
Celebrating 40 Years of Innovation
- Added Focus Sectors:High-Rise, Solar Energy, Systems Integration, EV Charging, Temperature Control, Data Centers, Transportation
- # of Employees:275
- Project Highlights:- Gateway West Loop Apartments - NEWCITY Lincoln Park Entertainment District - Tribune Tower Redevelopment - CRRC Railcar Facility
2010
Connelly Electric expands its prefabrication operations while increasing market expansion into MI, IN, WI, & OH.
2011
Connelly Electric expands its office footprint to downtown Chicago.
2015
The Systems Integration Division is developed, and BIM evolves into Virtual Design and Construction, incorporating drone and AR technology.
2019
The company celebrates its 40th anniversary.
2020s
Entering a New Era of Connelly Electric
- Added Focus Sectors:Public Works
- # of Employees:500+
- Project Highlights:- Amazon Fulfillment Center ORD5 - Northwestern Medicine Pavilion, Lake Forest - Fermilab Linac PIP-II - Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
2020
Connelly Electric expands market operations outside the Midwest to the Southeast Coast; FL, GA, & SC.
2021
The Chicago office is moved to a larger facility at 121 W. Wacker.
2022
The Aviation, Transportation, and Public Works Division is officially established, building on years of experience in these markets to create a dedicated division for continued growth. Bill Jr. Connelly officially retires, leaving a proud legacy with two of his sons continuing the tradition in the family business.
2023
Joseph Connelly follows suit in retirement, leaving a lasting impact on the company and all who worked alongside him.