IllinoisIllinois law limits glare from covered outdoor lights
Illinois law limits glare and light spilling from certain outdoor fixtures, and requires reflective roadway markings or signs instead of lights in many cases.
What it does
Covered outdoor lights must be shielded and limit light spilling onto nearby property. They must stay within brightness limits, and light reaching designated natural areas must not exceed one lux at ground level.
For planned roadway lighting, the responsible authority must consider reflective markings or signs. They must be used instead of lights except at street or highway intersections, or when they cannot provide adequate safety.
Uplighting statuary or historic building fronts is allowed only when it is the only workable option, and it must meet limits and be turned off by midnight. New or replacement lighting for state historic sites needs approval after January 1, 2027.
Argument forShielding lights and limiting light that reaches nearby property or natural areas could reduce glare and disturbance for people and wildlife.
Argument againstLimits on brightness and roadway lights could make some places harder to see, though the law allows exceptions when other ways cannot meet safety needs.
More detail
The law sets limits on glare, light spilling onto other land, and outdoor brightness. The rules cover new outdoor lights bought with state funds after the law's effective date, and lights installed after that date on land or structures owned and managed by the Department of Natural Resources. The law does not apply in listed cases, including federal preemption, certain safety or security needs, and temporary emergency or repair work. Lights bought or installed on or before June 30, 2032, may have a color temperature up to 2,700 Kelvin. New lights bought or installed after that date may have a color temperature up to 2,200 Kelvin.
When roadway lights are planned for installation or replacement, the responsible authority must consider reflective markings or signs; where the rule applies, reflective measures must be used instead of lights. This applies when roadway lighting installation or replacement is planned. Reflective measures are not required at intersections of two or more streets or highways, or when they cannot provide adequate safety. The requirement applies when roadway lighting installation or replacement is planned.
The law allows some uplighting for statuary and historic building fronts under limits, and requires approval for specified future state projects. The exception covers uplighting for statuary and historic building fronts. The approval rule covers new or replacement uplighting for state historic statuary and state historic building fronts. Uplighting is allowed only when it is the only workable option. It must meet the stated color, brightness, and light-spill limits and be turned off by midnight. After January 1, 2027, the State Historic Preservation Office must approve new or replacement uplighting for state historic statuary and state historic building fronts.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 7Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0800Latest
- Aug 7Effective Date January 1, 2027
- Aug 7Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 25Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 27Passed Both Houses
- Vote recorded Concurrence, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Lower
- May 27House Concurs
- May 27Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 House Concurs 110-000-000
- May 19Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Energy & Environment Committee; 027-000-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Lower
- May 19Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Rules Referred to Energy & Environment Committee
- May 19Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee
- May 19Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed Concur Rep. Laura Faver Dias
- May 14Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 14Arrived in HouseMinor
- May 14Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen
- May 14Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Ellman
- May 14Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000Passed Senate
- May 14Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
- May 14Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; JohnsonMajor
- May 14Recalled to Second ReadingMinor
- May 13Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt State Government; 009-000-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- May 5Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to State Government
- Apr 30Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- Apr 30Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Adriane L. JohnsonMinor
- Apr 30Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 5, 2026
- Apr 30Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 28Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading April 29, 2026Minor
- Apr 28Approved for Consideration Assignments
- Apr 24Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Adriane L. Johnson
- Apr 10Referred to Assignments
- Apr 10First ReadingMinor
- Apr 10Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen
- Apr 10Placed on Calendar Order of First ReadingMinor
- Apr 10Arrive in SenateMinor
- Apr 9Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 104-000-000Passed House
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 7Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- Apr 7Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Mar 19Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Mar 18Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Energy & Environment Committee; 027-000-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 18House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Energy & Environment Committee; by Voice VoteMajor
- Mar 18House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Energy & Environment Committee
- Mar 6House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
- Mar 6House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Laura Faver DiasMinor
- Mar 4Assigned to Energy & Environment CommitteeMinor
- Feb 13Referred to Rules Committee
- Feb 13First ReadingMinor
- Feb 6Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Laura Faver DiasIntroduced
Environment & EnergyPublic Safety