Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn commends Homer Glen for dark-sky ordinance, urges everyone in Illinois to turn out the lights for Earth Hour this Saturday
Link to the Homer Glen Ordinance
CHICAGO - March 26, 2008. Lt. Governor Pat Quinn joined representatives from the International Dark-Sky Association and the World Wildlife Fund to commend the Village of Homer Glen for passing a groundbreaking dark-sky ordinance, and asked residents throughout Illinois to participate in Earth Hour by turning off their lights from 8 to 9 p.m. on Saturday night.
"Homer Glen's dark-sky ordinance conserves energy, protects wildlife, and reminds all of us of the natural beauty of a starry night," Quinn said at a news conference in the 15th floor Blue Room of the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St. in Chicago. "This Saturday night, I hope people throughout Illinois will follow Homer Glen's example and extinguish all unnecessary lights to participate in Earth Hour."
On December 18, the Homer Glen Village Board unanimously adopted a progressive new ordinance regulating nighttime outdoor lighting, making sure that outdoor lighting is focused on areas that need to be illuminated, while reducing the upward glow that obscures the night sky. The village, located 11 miles southwest of Chicago in Will County, was incorporated in 2001. Since then, the village government has worked to preserve the area's rural character and safeguard its natural environment.
"Homer Glen's ordinance demonstrates that good outdoor lighting uses the right amount of light, where and when it is needed, without wasting energy by sending light up into the sky," Quinn said. "The Village of Homer Glen and its model light pollution ordinance have set an excellent example for other communities in Illinois and across our nation."
Residents statewide had an opportunity to show their support for dark-sky initiatives by participating in Earth Hour from 8 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. During Earth Hour people around the world turned off unnecessary lights to reduce energy consumption and cut down on carbon emissions. Earth Hour, organized by the World Wildlife Fund, is expected to be the largest voluntary action of its kind in history.
Turning night lights down or off protects wildlife. Brightly lit skyscrapers can confuse migrating birds, causing them to crash into windows or fly aimlessly until they drop from exhaustion. In residential areas, bright night lights disrupt animals' natural sleep cycles, altering their natural behavior and leaving them vulnerable to illness.
At the news conference, Quinn was joined by Homer Glen Mayor Jim Daley and Village Trustees Russell Knaack and Margaret Sabo. Homer Glen resident Debra Norvil, a leading advocate for the ordinance, and Homer Glen Village Manager Paula Wallrich also attended.
The International Dark-Sky Association, an Arizona-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting light pollution, was represented by President Bob Gent, Chicago Chapter Co-Leader Audrey Fischer and Illinois Chapter Director Dave Toeppen.
Monica Echeverria, senior communications manager for the World Wildlife Fund, also attended, along with Michelle Nichols, Master Educator at the Adler Planetarium.
"By turning out our lights for an hour on Saturday night, the people of Illinois will demonstrate that we join people around the planet in fighting light pollution," Quinn said. "By taking action to protect the dark night sky, Homer Glen has put itself in the forefront of the international movement to conserve energy and protect wildlife. With this progressive ordinance, Homer Glen has literally reached for the stars."