HB5717 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB5717

Introduced , by Rep. Rich Brauer

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Outdoor Light Limitation Act. Provides requirements for outdoor lighting. Creates exemptions from those requirements. Authorizes the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to adopt rules necessary to implement the Act. Authorizes the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to impose a fine for violation of the Act.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning light limitation.

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 Light Limitation Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Commercial lighting zone" means any zoning lot in any zoning district that does not have as its primary use a single-family residential dwelling, a 2-family residential dwelling, or land used for agriculture or industry.

"Fully shielded" means that those fixtures so designated shall be shielded in a manner that ensures that light rays emitted from the fixture, either directly from the source of illumination or indirectly from the fixture, are projected through the lowest point of the fixture where light is emitted.

"Residential lighting zone" means any zoning lot in a residential or agricultural zoning district that has as its primary use a single-family residential dwelling or a 2-family residential dwelling.

"Uplighting" means lighting that is directed to shine light rays above the horizontal plane.

Section 10. Requirements for outdoor lighting.

(a) Any outdoor light fixture that is updated after the effective date of this Act shall be upgraded to a fully shielded fixture unless the light contains an automatic shutoff device.

(b) For the purposes of limiting residential light trespass and avoiding spotlight lighting, any landscape uplighting shall not exceed a maximum inclination of 60 degrees with a maximum light output of 1,000 lumens.

(c) For the purposes of travel safety along the roads, outdoor advertising displays shall not exceed a 1,000 lux illumination in a commercial lighting zone and a 500 lux illumination in a residential lighting zone. This standard shall be met by digital displays as well as static displays.

(d) The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency shall adopt rules necessary to implement this Act.

Section 15. Exemptions.

(a) Sensor activated safety and security lights are exempt from the requirements of this Act if they are equipped with a timer to turn off the light within 7 minutes after activation.

(b) Consumer holiday decorations are exempt from the requirements of this Act.

(c) Uplighting for flag poles, essential lights used for emergency scenarios, and lights used for construction by the Illinois Department of Transportation are exempt from the requirements of subsection (b) of Section 10.

(d) Outdoor sporting stadiums used for night activity, towers, including radio communication towers and navigation towers that need lights for daytime and nighttime safety purposes, are exempt from the requirements of this Act.

(e) Fossil fuel lights created by the combustion of natural gas or other fossil fuels are exempt from the requirements of this Act.

Section 20. Fines. Upon notification of a violation of this Act, the person in violation shall have 180 calendar days to remedy the violation. If the person in violation does not remedy the violation within 180 days, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency may fine the person $100.