Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Electrical Contractor in Carol Stream, IL
Thorne Electric was founded in 1951 by William Thorne and has grown into a trusted leader in electrical contracting. As a women-owned business with over 70 years of experience, we specialize in traffic signals, street lighting, sports lighting, parking lot lighting, underground distribution, and industrial electrical construction. Our team utilizes IBEW electricians from multiple local unions, ensuring high-quality workmanship and adherence to industry standards. We pride ourselves on competitive pricing, professional integrity, and delivering projects on time and under budget. Our extensive inventory of heavy equipment enables us to handle complex infrastructure projects for municipalities, private developers, and general contractors across the Western Chicago suburbs and surrounding areas.We are WBENC-certified as a Women Business Enterprise and remain committed to supporting American-made labor and materials. Our decades of expertise in directional drilling, trenching, and overhead/underground distribution have made us a preferred partner for critical infrastructure projects. We serve clients from McHenry to Pontiac and Tinley Park to Rochelle, maintaining a strong focus on public safety and thoroughness in all our work. Our long-standing relationships with the Illinois Department of Transportation, local DOTs, and municipal authorities reflect our reliability and professionalism. In today's challenging environment of shrinking budgets and tight timelines, our team provides the expertise and efficiency needed to ensure successful project completion.
Services
Traffic Signals
Street Lighting
Sports Lighting
Parking Lot Lighting
Underground Distribution
Industrial Electrical Construction
Directional Drilling
Trenching Services
Lift Stations
Standby Generators
Details
- Year established: 1951
Highlights and features
- Over 70 years of specialized electrical contracting experience
- WBENC-certified Women Business Enterprise status
- Union contractors utilizing IBEW electricians from 7 local unions
- Serving Western Chicago suburbs and surrounding areas since 1951
- Proven track record with Illinois Department of Transportation projects
Associations and certifications
- WBENC-Certified WBE
Services
Traffic Signals
Thorne Electric specializes in traffic signal construction and maintenance for municipalities and transportation authorities. Our expertise includes fiber optic interconnect installations between intersections and compliance with federal safety standards. We provide comprehensive solutions from initial installation to ongoing maintenance, ensuring reliable operation of critical traffic infrastructure across the Chicago region.
Street Lighting
We design and install comprehensive street lighting systems for municipalities and private developers. Our capabilities include ornamental street lighting, illuminated street name signs, and integration with streetscape projects. With decades of experience since 1968, we deliver energy-efficient solutions that enhance public safety while maintaining aesthetic appeal in communities across DuPage County and beyond.
Sports Lighting
Thorne Electric provides specialized lighting solutions for sports facilities including ball fields and stadiums. Our systems meet professional standards for visibility and uniformity while incorporating energy-efficient technologies. We handle complete installation projects like the Ottawa Sports Lighting project, ensuring optimal illumination for both players and spectators in various outdoor athletic venues.
Underground Distribution
Our underground distribution services include directional drilling, trenching, and plowing for electrical infrastructure. We install poly duct systems and handle complex installations beneath railroad tracks and other challenging environments. This expertise supports both new developments and upgrades to existing utility networks throughout the Chicagoland area.
Industrial Electrical
We provide comprehensive industrial electrical construction services for commercial and industrial facilities. Our work includes distribution substation installations, transformer positioning, and high-voltage system integration. With union-certified electricians, we ensure safe and code-compliant electrical systems for manufacturing plants, warehouses, and other industrial facilities across northern Illinois.
Questions
What electrical services does Thorne Electric specialize in?
We specialize in traffic signals, street lighting, sports lighting, parking lot lighting, underground distribution, and industrial electrical construction projects.
Which areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Western Chicago suburbs and surrounding areas including McHenry, Pontiac, Tinley Park, and Rochelle.
Are you a certified women-owned business?
Yes, we are WBENC-certified as a Women Business Enterprise.
What union affiliations do your electricians have?
Our electricians are IBEW members from Local 701, 461, 134, 150, 117, 9, and 196.
How long have you been in business?
We were founded in 1951 and have been serving clients for over 70 years.
What types of clients do you work with?
We work with municipalities, private developers, general contractors, and government agencies including the Illinois Department of Transportation.
