HR0668 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0668 LRB101 16736 ECR 66125 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Light pollution is defined as the brightening of the night sky caused by street lights and other man-made sources; it has a disruptive effect on the natural cycles and inhibits the observation of stars and planets near urban localities and industrial districts; and

WHEREAS, Counter to "ambient" or "natural" light, light pollution results from amplified use of artificial electrical light; and

WHEREAS, Too much light pollution has adverse consequences, such as washing out starlight in the night sky, interfering with astronomical research, disrupting ecosystems, poor health effects, and wasting energy; and

WHEREAS, Though light pollution affects Illinoisians across the state, it is most prominent in urban localities and industrial districts; and

WHEREAS, The luminous glow of light pollution prevents nearly eighty percent of people in North America from seeing our Milky Way Galaxy in the night sky; more than ninety-nine percent of people living in the United States and Europe witness light pollution skies on a nightly basis; and

WHEREAS, Meanwhile, there are countries, such as Chad and Madagascar, where the majority of people live under crisp black-sky conditions; and

WHEREAS, Light pollution affects more than simply the aesthetic view of the evening landscape; the circadian rhythm of an individual exposed to especially damaging light pollution can be thrown into disarray, resulting in sleep disorders which can impact the individual's personal, physical, and emotional well-being; and

WHEREAS, Light pollution can confuse the migratory patterns of animals, alter competitive interactions of animals, change predator-prey relations, and cause physiological harm to numerous wildlife species; and

WHEREAS, Such light pollution can be curtailed by light fixture and bulb selection and the proper shielding of urban lighting; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage awareness about the impact and possible prevention of light pollution within the State of Illinois.