Our Story

In 1919, William R. Schnirring, Sr., began his career in the electrical business in Springfield, Illinois. In 1929, Mr. Schnirring acquired sole ownership of this retail outlet for lighting fixtures, electrical contracting, and appliance business. In January 1932, the focus of the company changed from contracting and retail to electrical distribution.

At that time, the name changed from Schnirring Electric Company to Springfield Electric Supply Company. Since the mid-1950s, the company’s branch operation and company headquarters have occupied the 700 block of North 9th Street in Springfield, with several building renovations and expansions. Over the past 50 years, we’ve opened additional locations throughout Illinois to serve more markets.

What We Do

Quality, Performance, and Service Since 1932  Our professionals lead you through the lighting selection process step by step, making expert recommendations based on your home, room dimensions and personal style or taste in décor. Lighting is our only specialty, so we are immersed in it all day every day. We work hard to ensure that we are fully knowledgeable in current design styles and trends.  Our Sales Associates are well informed of the latest residential technologies from wireless lighting controls to LED lighting. If necessary or at your request, we will even walk through your home to make certain our recommendations in the showroom fit the space and your needs perfectly. We work with a variety of vendors so that we are able to offer a wide range of product styles in a wide variety of price ranges. And we’re still there for you after delivery to help with any problems that may arise upon installation. The best part is that our expertise, walk-through services and post-delivery service are all free of charge to you! Springfield Electric is the best place to start for all your lighting needs!

Lighting & Design Services

Springfield Electric Lighting & Design’s professional lighting consultants are available to answer all of your residential lighting questions.

Our Sales Associates are certified by the American Lighting Association as Lighting Associates, Lighting Specialists or Certified Lighting Consultants so they can provide you with expert advice in lighting design for your home. This training covers every type of lighting for any room, including kitchen and recessed lighting, ceiling fans, bath lighting, low-voltage and outdoor lighting – which allows us to guide you in making the best possible selections for your home and work within your budget as well.

We work with a wide range of projects from new home construction to remodeling to updating your dining room chandelier.  Please feel free to call for an appointment to meet with one of our specialists for a custom lighting layout. You may bring in blueprints or drawings (hand-drawn sketches will do) and we will be happy to work with you or your architect or builder to meet all your lighting and electrical needs.

New Construction Design Services

As a leader in the area’s construction industry since 1932, Springfield Electric Lighting & Design provides builders and contractors with the best product and service in residential lighting. We know there are many places you can purchase electrical supplies. Our goal is to achieve and maintain that one degree of separation. Our commitment to this mission is to first understand our customers business.

We understand the process of home construction and the various pieces that have to come together to complete the project.  This can be a difficult and stressful process as well.  We pledge to assist and manage the electrical and lighting portion of the project by communicating and coordinating with the builder, the electrical contractor and the homeowner in order to meet the needs of everyone involved.

During the construction of a new home or a home remodel everyone wants to make their backsplash pop, their quartz or granite counter tops to sparkle or their floors show off their true color and detail. Though lighting is one of the last pieces to the project it is also the most important.  Lighting helps create and sell the look you’re looking for.

This is not only our mission, it’s the way we promise to conduct business. Our goal is to achieve and maintain that one degree of separation. Simply stated, we intend to be the best supplier in the markets we serve with the products we represent. We know our continued growth only comes by meeting and exceeding your expectations.