Illinois bans fluorescent lighting starting in 2026
Starting in 2026, you won’t be buying any compact fluorescent light bulbs to replace that burned out one in Illinois. Tubes go away in 2027. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is banning the same light bulbs Illinois’ former senator and president championed 15 years ago.
Illinois is banning fluorescent light bulbs in 2026. This government mandate replaces the old government mandate about how we light our homes and businesses.
The Clean Lighting Act changes language in the Illinois Environmental Protection Act prohibiting mercury-containing fluorescent light bulbs. The law starts with a partial ban in 2026 which applies to the production or sale of screw-based or bayonet-based compact fluorescent lamps.
The law takes full effect in 2027 and extends to pin-base compact fluorescent lights and fluorescent tubes. Fluorescent bulbs already in use will be allowed but will have to be replaced with LED bulbs when they burn out.
Exceptions for the ban for include medical uses, academic research, headlights on vehicles manufactured before 2020 and other exceptions.
Proponents argued 3 in 4 bulbs are improperly disposed of and release mercury and other toxins. Opponents of the bill argued the conversion will cost businesses the most.
Illinois is the 10th state to impose the fluorescent light ban.
Illinois’ own President Barack Obama championed the twisty CFLs and fluorescent tubes, pushing their efficiency over Thomas Edison’s incandescent lamps and adding restrictions through environmental rules in 2017. He was advocating the mercury-filled incandescent bulbs at the same time he was imposing anti-mercury standards for power plants.
“I will not back down from protecting our kids from mercury pollution,” Obama said during his 2012 State of the Union address.
He was referring to air pollution from power plants, and not the multiple bulbs with higher mercury concentrations he was putting in children’s homes.
Government is rarely lacking for its next bright idea about how people should live their lives.