• Posted: May 28, 2026
• Benefits of union craftsmanship, EV charging station contractors, legacy infrastructure projects, Mission-critical electrical construction, Powering Chicago signatory contractors, Union Electrical Contractors in Chicago

For over a century, Meade Electric has played a pivotal role in shaping the infrastructure of Chicago and Cook County. As a family-owned company with 117 years of experience and a proud Powering Chicago signatory contractor, Meade is recognized for delivering high-quality, complex work backed by union craftsmanship, technical excellence, and a legacy of trust.

Breadth and Depth Across Divisions

Meade Electric operates six dedicated business units: mission-critical, transit, infrastructure, utility (electric and mechanical), industrial, and commercial. This range enables the company to serve clients across sectors, completing everything from a $5,000 card access system in a high-rise to a full-scale substation at a data center.

Their capabilities extend to power and gas service for regional utilities like ComEd, NiSource and NIPSCO, industrial work in Joliet and Northwest Indiana, infrastructure supporting all modes of travel, and mission-critical installations to meet the demands of AI.

Powering Mission-Critical Work

Meade Electric delivers on Chicago’s most demanding projects, including regional data centers, airport taxiway and runway improvements, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red and Purple Modernization (RPM), and now the Red Line Extension—the CTA’s largest project to date—bringing transit access south to 130th Street.

Their recent work on the BP Pulse EV charging station near O’Hare Airport is another example of their forward-looking expertise. The project included the installation of 13 dual-port fast chargers, providing critical infrastructure for fleets and delivery vehicles near one of the busiest transportation hubs in the country.

Quality That Reflects IBEW Local 134 Values

Meade Electric’s longstanding partnership with IBEW Local 134 is central to its success. Their workforce includes highly trained inside and specialty electricians—each equipped to deliver top-tier performance, safety, and problem-solving on every job.

“Our crews are resourceful problem-solvers,” said John Crilly, Vice President of Meade Electric.

“We do interesting, challenging jobs – legacy work. We do jobs that you’re going to drive your grandkids by and say, ‘Look – we played a part in building that!’”

That pride shows in the details. From perfectly aligned conduit runs to clean, organized panel work, Meade Electric’s commitment to quality is clear.

Legacy Meets Innovation

Meade Electric continues to invest in innovation, using advanced tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) to bring complex projects to life with precision. Meade uses 3D modeling to guide their work, ensuring every layout aligns with the design intent before construction begins. 

Meade has applied this technology on projects such as the Stream Data Center Substation, 95th Street CTA Station reconstruction, RPM Stations project, McDonald’s Corporate Office (Fulton Market), Loyola University Center for Translational Research & Education (Maywood), Microsoft CHI 6 Data Centers Site Utilities and Northwestern University’s Welsh Ryan Arena Expansion project. These visual tools help the craft crews stay efficient, accurate, and aligned in the field.

Whether in Healthcare, Hospitality, Laboratories, Entertainment Venues, Data Centers, Higher Education, Government Facilities, or Commercial Office work, Meade’s focus remains clear: safety, quality, and long-term performance.

The Powering Chicago Difference

Meade doesn’t rely on marketing. Their reputation is built on what they’ve already delivered, and the trust that comes from giving it consistently.

“Meade is not a transactional company; we’re a relational company,” said Crilly. “We care about our people. We care about our Customers and want to serve them well. We plan on still being here a hundred years from now.”

Their commitment to union craftsmanship not only sets a higher standard for electrical construction in the region but also reflects Powering Chicago’s broader mission of building better construction, better careers, and better communities.

To learn more about working with Powering Chicago’s network of qualified electrical contractors like Meade Electric, check out our Find a Contractor tool.