Behind the Build: Taylor Electric

Taylor Electric is a family affair, from left standing: Kedonica Taylor, Charlotte Taylor Powers, Karen Michele Dinkins, Bryan Taylor, Kendra Dinkins, and from left seated, Bryanna Taylor, Martha Taylor and Kayla Taylor.

When Chicago selected Bally’s to build its world-class casino and hotel, the vision extended far beyond entertainment. The project set out to reflect the city itself—its people, its neighborhoods, and its commitment to inclusive economic growth. To bring that vision to life, Bally’s selected the Chicago Community Builders Collective (CCBC), an eight-firm joint venture built on collaboration, equity, and community representation.  

As one of the largest construction joint ventures in Chicago’s history, CCBC was built with a majority of minority- and women-owned partner firms. That intentional structure creates real opportunity—opening doors for diverse small businesses to participate in a mega project, scale their operations, and build lasting talent pipelines.  

The “Behind the Build” series highlights the individuals and companies that are helping to make the Bally’s Chicago Casino project a beacon of inclusion and partnership, like Taylor Electric Company. 

For more than 100 years, Taylor Electric has been part of Chicago’s construction landscape. Founded in 1922 by Sam Taylor, an electrician, the business has been in the family for four generations and is now led by his great-granddaughter, President and CEO Kendra Dinkins. Today, Taylor Electric has 80 employees and is playing a key role on the Bally’s Chicago Casino project. 

In this conversation, Kendra, a former educator, shares how she found her way into the family business, how the Bally’s Chicago Casino project is creating new opportunities for Taylor Electric, and how the company is helping build a more inclusive future in the trades.

What made you leave education for construction?

It was by happenstance. My degree is in biology. I taught sports medicine and classes on culture and gender at a boarding school in North Carolina. But as a dorm mom, I taught life lessons 24/7. I came back to Chicago for a visit and started interviewing for other jobs. My dad said, “Hey, we need somebody in accounting temporarily.” I’ve been here ever since.

How has the business been passed down through the family?

Rufus Taylor, the second president of the company, took over in the late ’60s, early ’70s. He passed away in ’95 and his eldest daughter, Martha Taylor, took over the company. My dad, Kenneth Dinkins, was chief of operations. When my cousin was ready to retire, my sister, Karen Michele, and I bought her shares. Michele is part owner, executive vice president and chief operations officer. My younger sister, Kristi, just joined the company a couple of years ago. She works in accounting. 

How did you land the Bally’s Chicago Casino project?

Three electrical contractors reached out to us as they were building their project teams: Titan Electric, Gurtz Electric, and Jamerson and Bauwens Electric. The scope covers three areas of the property. With the hotel, we are providing the lighting and doing a lot of hotel room build-outs. For the casino, we’re doing low-voltage conduit for the front and the back of the house, as well as distribution for the back of the house.

Have you had to hire to meet your scope on the Bally’s project?

Yes, absolutely. We’ve brought on at least seven or eight more electrician trainees, apprentices and electricians, and we actually have an open call for more.

How did Taylor Electric’s involvement with the project begin?

We began working with CCBC years ago and helped budget the project. We knew that by building that relationship we would become familiar with the project and be able to help out with the electrical. It’s paid off because I’ve got four different contracts now.

Is this one of the largest projects in Taylor Electric’s history?

During my tenure here—almost 20 years—this will probably be one of our largest projects in a while. We typically top out around $2 million to $3 million. The total for all the projects on the Bally’s Chicago Casino is getting close to $10 million. Also, we do a lot of work outside of the Loop. So being in the heart of downtown isn’t business as usual for us. Having that kind of footprint moving forward will be very helpful.

What makes this project really stand out?

I think the diversity of the contractors— the efforts that CCBC and Bally’s have put together to make sure that local contractors and local people are working on the project and that the neighborhood has a stake in it. CCBC is made up of some really good quality contractors. All of them have been great to work with.

The Dinkins sisters, from left, Kristi, Kendra, and Karen Michele. 

What’s Taylor Electric Cares (TECares)? And why did you launch it during the pandemic in 2021?

Some years ago, we had a scholarship program that was named after my great-grandfather and it kind of fell by the wayside. As we approached our 100th anniversary, we recognized that so many people had poured into us to help us get there—and we wanted to give back by helping more women and minorities enter the industry. We have at least three apprentices at the Bally’s Chicago Casino job site that came from programming we do with TECares, and they’re all women. In fact, my office is about 70 percent women. I think there’s a lot to be done with recruiting and mentoring and getting women into the field while making sure the spaces they’re going in are safe and inclusive. But with the labor shortages, I think a lot of women are realizing that it can be an extremely lucrative career. 

What does it mean to you for your company to be a part of this huge project?

It will definitely lead to some more growth. It’s a really good feather to have in your cap when you’re going out looking for more work. 

What impact do you hope the Bally’s Chicago Casino project will have on Chicago?

I hope that everyone who had a part and a stake in it comes out whole. I think CCBC is doing a really good job of being that connector with all types of contractors. Working with a large general contractor can be challenging. CCBC recognizes that, and they have taken an active role in working with a lot of the smaller contractors and making sure they’re successful.