Business Details
34 Years
experience
Your Trusted Electrical Contractor in Chicago
Founded in 1992 by Juan Candeleria, City Lights has evolved from a family-owned electrical contracting firm into a respected industry leader. Our team combines over three decades of collective expertise in infrastructure, industrial, and commercial electrical projects with a steadfast commitment to safety and quality. Certified as a Minority-Owned (MBE), Women-Owned (WBE), and Disadvantaged (DBE) business, we specialize in designing and maintaining electrical systems for diverse projects ranging from healthcare facilities to municipal infrastructure.Our work on Chicago's Smart Lighting Program and CTA bus shelters demonstrates our technical innovation and community focus. With leadership rooted in family values and a workforce trained in the latest safety protocols, we prioritize client satisfaction, employee welfare, and environmental stewardship through energy-efficient solutions.
Services
Infrastructure Electrical
Healthcare Systems
Municipal Projects
Traffic Signals
LED Lighting
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of electrical contracting experience in Chicago's infrastructure projects
- Our team holds MBE/WBE/DBE certifications for government contracting compliance
- We maintain 100% OSHA-certified safety protocols across all job sites
- Our portfolio includes 5,000+ LED streetlight installations for the Chicago Smart Lighting Program
- We combine family-owned values with union-certified electrical expertise
Associations and certifications
- MBE (Minority Business Enterprise)
- WBE (Women Business Enterprise)
- DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise)
Services
Infrastructure Electrical
We design and install electrical infrastructure for transportation systems, including traffic signals and fiber optic networks. Our work ensures reliable power distribution for municipal projects while maintaining strict safety standards. With expertise in both overhead and underground installations, we support long-term infrastructure resilience.
LED Lighting
Our energy-efficient LED lighting installations reduce municipal energy costs while improving visibility. We specialize in highway, airport, and commercial building lighting systems that meet ADA compliance requirements. Our solutions include smart controls for adaptive lighting management in urban environments.
Traffic Signals
We provide comprehensive traffic signal installation and maintenance services for municipal agencies. Our work includes modernizing existing systems with digital controls and integrating real-time data capabilities. All installations meet current federal and state transportation safety standards.
Municipal Projects
We execute electrical components for public infrastructure projects including sidewalk vault repairs and pedestrian bridge systems. Our team coordinates with city agencies to minimize community disruption while ensuring code compliance. Services include both new installations and system upgrades.
ADA Compliance
We implement electrical solutions that meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for public spaces. Our work includes accessible pedestrian signals and detectable warning surfaces. We ensure all installations pass municipal accessibility inspections while maintaining functional design integrity.
People
Jacqueline Hoffman
President
Leading since 2011, Jacqueline oversees operations and strategic development. With a BS in Accounting, she manages financial planning and maintains the company's MBE/WBE certifications while continuing her father's legacy of community engagement.
John Candelaria
Senior Vice President
As Senior Vice President, John directs project estimating and strategic planning. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, he manages bid processes and labor coordination while serving as Middle States Electrical Contractors Association President since 2021.
Mark Candelaria
Vice President
Mark supervises field operations and safety protocols. Certified in OSHA and Confined Space standards, he ensures project timelines and quality control while maintaining his Class A CDL and welding credentials for specialized installations.
Questions
What electrical services does City Lights specialize in?
We specialize in infrastructure electrical systems, traffic signal installations, LED lighting solutions, and ADA-compliant municipal projects across Chicago and Illinois.
Are you certified as a minority-owned business?
Yes, we're certified as MBE (Minority Business Enterprise), WBE (Women Business Enterprise), and DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) contractor.
How long have you served the Chicago area?
We've provided electrical contracting services since 1992, completing over 5,000 LED streetlight installations and numerous municipal projects.
What safety protocols do you follow?
We maintain 100% OSHA-certified safety standards with regular training programs and compliance checks across all our job sites.
Can you handle large-scale infrastructure projects?
Yes, our team has completed major projects like the Chicago Smart Lighting Program and CTA bus shelter electrical systems across multiple locations.
Do you work on commercial building electrical systems?
We install and maintain electrical systems for commercial buildings, including power distribution and lighting control solutions that meet current energy codes.
