SR0064 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0064 LRB103 28904 ECR 55290 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) defines light pollution as any adverse impact or effect attributable to the use of artificial light at night, including but not limited to sky glow, glare, spill light, and impaired nighttime visibility; and

WHEREAS, Light pollution is known to negatively impact human health, public safety, astronomical observations, energy security, global climate, and natural ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, IDA provides guidance on mitigating light pollution with principles that can be broadly applied, empowering diverse jurisdictions, communities, and interests to select responsible outdoor lighting; and

WHEREAS, Responsible outdoor lighting may be designed to minimize the impact on the environment to achieve the IDA's short-term conservation goal of no net increase in light pollution and long-term conservation goal of the restoration of intrinsic darkness; and

WHEREAS, The IDA develops a range of scenarios and guidance for common lighting solutions and provides flexibility in identifying how the IDA's principles are best applied within local areas to meet valid needs while observing all regulatory frameworks; and

WHEREAS, Local Illinois governments should be encouraged to utilize light fixtures that reduce unnecessary light and save energy when they replace light fixtures or build new light fixtures; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare that local governments in Illinois should abide by IDA's guidelines and lighting principles to help mitigate the effects of light pollution produced by outdoor lighting.