Bill Text: IL HB0854 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Creates the Outdoor Lighting Control Act. Sets forth shielding and filtration requirements for specified lamp types when used for outdoor lighting, unless the lighting contains an automatic shutoff device and is not used from 11:00 p.m. until sunrise. Provides for exemptions. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency may identify and designate, as dark areas, areas that are especially suitable for astronomical observations or that provide nocturnal benefits to flora and fauna due to the darkness of those areas and shall submit a proposed plan to preserve areas designated as dark areas.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-03-13 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee [HB0854 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-HB0854-Introduced.html

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96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2009 and 2010 HB0854 Introduced 2/10/2009, by Rep. Rich Brauer SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
New Act
Creates the Outdoor Lighting Control Act. Sets forth shielding and filtration requirements for specified lamp types when used for outdoor lighting, unless the lighting contains an automatic shutoff device and is not used from 11:00 p.m. until sunrise. Provides for exemptions. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency may identify and designate, as dark areas, areas that are especially suitable for astronomical observations or that provide nocturnal benefits to flora and fauna due to their darkness and shall submit a proposed plan to preserve areas designated as dark areas.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning safety.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Outdoor Lighting Control Act.
Section 5. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to create
standards for outdoor lighting so that its use does not
interfere with the reasonable use and enjoyment of adjacent
property, while also minimizing atmospheric light scattering.
Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:
"Outdoor light fixtures" means any artificial illuminating
devices, outdoor fixtures, lamps, and other devices, permanent
or portable, that are used for outdoor illumination. "Outdoor
light fixtures" includes, but is not limited to, devices used
for search, spot, or flood lights for:
(1) Buildings and structures.
(2) Recreational areas.
(3) Parking lot lighting.
(4) Landscape lighting.
(5) Security lighting.
With regard to outdoor light fixtures, "fully shielded"
means being shielded in a manner so that light rays emitted

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from the fixture, either directly from the source of
illumination or indirectly from the fixture, are projected
below a horizontal plane running through the lowest point of
the fixture where light is emitted.
With regard to outdoor light fixtures, "filtration" means
having glass, acrylic, or translucent enclosures (quartz glass
does not meet this requirement).
Section 15. Requirements for shielding or filtration. When
used for outdoor lighting, shielding or filtration is required
for the lamp types as set forth in the following table, unless
the lighting contains an automatic shutoff device and is not
used from 11:00 p.m. until sunrise:
Fixture Lamp Type Shielded Filtered
High pressure sodium Fully None
Metal halide Fully Yes
Fluorescent Fully Yes
Quartz Fully None
Incandescent greater than 150 watts Fully None
Low pressure sodium None None
For the purposes of this Act, quartz lamps are not
considered an incandescent light source.
Section 20. Other restrictions.

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(a) The installation of mercury vapor fixtures for use as
outdoor lighting after the effective date of this Act is
prohibited.
(b) A recreation facility, public or private, may use
outdoor lighting from 11:00 p.m. until sunrise to conclude an
event or activity begun before 10:00 p.m.
Section 25. Exemptions. The following are exempt from this
Act:
(1) Fossil fuel light produced directly or indirectly
by the combustion of natural gas or other utility-type
fossil fuels.
(2) Outdoor light fixtures utilized on billboards.
(3) Outdoor light fixtures utilized by the federal
government, State government, units of local government,
and school districts.
(4) Outdoor light fixtures utilized at stadiums.
(5) Unless otherwise regulated, outdoor light fixtures
installed before the effective date of this Act.
Section 30. Dark areas.
(a) Designation. The Environmental Protection Agency may
identify and designate, as dark areas, areas of this State that
are especially suitable for astronomical observations or that
provide nocturnal benefits to flora and fauna due to their
darkness.

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(b) Proposed plan. The Environmental Protection Agency
shall submit a proposed plan to preserve any areas designated
as dark areas to the Governor and the General Assembly within
18 months of the designation of the area as a dark area.