Illinois Is About To Ban Fluorescent Lights

Harsh lighting is about to become a thing of the past in Illinois.

Fluorescent lights, which are often found in hospitals, offices, or airport terminals, just feel like a lot after a while. It's the opposite of anything close to soft lighting and can feel like you're staring straight into a white sun.

We've told you about the ban on incandescent lightbulbs, the argument there being that LED lights use 75% less energy. But Illinois is taking things a step further.

According to WHBF, Illinois is putting a ban on fluorescent lights.

Now, like with many laws, there are exceptions. Fluorescent lighting can only be used for "medical uses" or "academic research" and it's allowed on headlights in cars built before 2020.

If you're in a fluorescent-lit office, that's going to change. Here's the timeline: in 2026, screw-based or bayonet-based compact fluorescent lamps can't be produced or sold. By 2027, the law will also ban pin-base compact fluorescent lights and fluorescent tubes. Why one would voluntarily buy fluorescent lights, I do not know.

This is part of the Clean Lighting Act that hopes to stop light pollution that fluorescent lights cause. The main reason for that is that fluorescent lights are often incorrectly thrown out, which results in mercury and other toxins being released (and of course, broken glass).

I don't hate the idea of softer lighting in public places, personally.

Opponents of the law say that it will actually cost businesses more in the long run. This will make Illinois the 10th state to ban fluorescent lighting.