Dan Schnell

The Calm After the Storm

If you live in central Illinois, you know the feeling. It starts with a notification on your phone or a somber weatherman pointing at a swirling mass of white and pink on the radar. The word "blizzard" gets tossed around. Panic buying ensues at the grocery store. You stare out your window, wondering if you will slip on the sidewalk tomorrow morning. While you are worrying, Dan Schnell is already checking his equipment.

Hi, I'm Dan Schnell, the owner, operator, and chief snow-wrangler behind Blackhawk Services. For over 25 years, I've been the guy Springfield and Chatham residents call when the weather turns against them. I'm not just a business owner; I'm a professional worrier-for-hire. My job is to take that anxiety off your shoulders—and that snow off your driveway—so you can sleep soundly while the wind howls outside.

More Than Just a Snowplow Guy

To the uninitiated, snow removal might look simple: push the white stuff from point A to point B. But I know that for worried homeowners and stressed commercial property managers, the stakes are much higher.

I understand that snow and ice are liabilities waiting to happen. For a commercial property manager, a slick parking lot isn't just an inconvenience; it’s a potential lawsuit, a lost day of revenue, or an employee injury. For a homeowner, a blocked driveway means missed appointments, trapped vehicles, or the physical danger of trying to shovel wet, heavy snow alone.

I built Blackhawk Services on a foundation of reassurance. I operate Blackhawk Services under a simple, ironclad promise: when the snow falls, life doesn’t have to stop. Our team is renowned for prompt response times and thorough work, ensuring businesses open on time and families remain safe. We take the worry out of winter so you don’t have to stare at the ceiling, wondering if the salt truck will show up.

A Neighbor with a Lot of Heavy Machinery

Let’s be honest: calling a contractor can be intimidating. You often worry about getting a faceless corporate entity—someone who treats your property like a line item on a spreadsheet. That isn’t me.

I don't just work in Springfield; I live here. I shop at the same stores, drive on the same roads, and complain about the same unpredictable Illinois weather patterns as you. I happen to have better tools to deal with them. When you hire Blackhawk Services, you are hiring a neighbor who genuinely cares about your property's long-term well-being. I'm the kind of guy who is happy to pause and answer a question about ice melt safety for pets or how to spot early signs of roof wear. I believe professional service should be accessible, not aloof.

Humor in the Face of Frostbite

Despite the serious nature of keeping roofs over heads and roads clear, I try to maintains a sense of humor. You have to when your busy season involves freezing temperatures and 3:00 AM wake-up calls.  know that winter in the Midwest can be grueling, and sometimes the best way to get through a polar vortex is with a smile (and a really, really good heater).

Ready to Weather the Storm

At the end of the day, my philosophy is simple: treat every property as if it were my own. This mindset permeates every aspect of my business, from the high-quality equipment we use to the rigorous training our staff receives. If you are a homeowner worrying about the next big freeze or a property manager losing sleep over liability concerns, Blackhawk Services is the partner you need. I invite you to reach out, ask questions, and experience the difference that a quarter-century of local experience makes.

For more information on how Blackhawk Services can help you weather any storm, any season, visit www.blackhawk-services.com.