Kane County Forest Preserve District to Implement New Lighting Policy to Protect Night Sky

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The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is set to launch a new initiative aimed at reducing light pollution caused by artificial lights. Effective July 1, 2024, the district will enact its first Responsible Outdoor Lighting Policy. The guidelines, unanimously approved by the Kane County Forest Preserve Commission, aim to enhance the quality of lighting in the district's natural areas and conserve energy while minimizing harm to wildlife habitats, migrating birds and insects drawn to light sources. 

The new policy will require responsible outdoor lighting within the district's 23,000 acres of property, guided by DarkSky International's five principles: lighting that is useful, targeted, low level, controlled, and warm-colored.  It sets standards for use (see below) and construction requirements for outdoor lighting in all future improvements and replacement projects within the Forest Preserve District.

Lighting Standards

Non-Outdoor Sports Lighting

• Color Temperature: Approved luminaires must employ warm-toned 3000K CCT and lower light sources.
• Uplight Allowance: Limited to 0.5% of total output or 50 lumens, whichever is lower, with no more than 10 lumens in the 90-100-degree UL zone.
• Shielding: Roadway and area luminaires must have a pre- or post-installation shielding option.
• Mounting: Luminaires must have fixed mounting to ensure they are installed as tested. A +/- 10-degree adjustment for leveling is permitted.
• Dimming Capability: Luminaires must have the capability to dim to 10% of full rating.
• Safety Certification: Luminaires must have safety certification by an independent laboratory.

Outdoor Sports Lighting

• Color Temperature: The maximum allowable correlated color temperature (CCT) for light sources illuminating the field of play is 5700K.
• Usage Time: Only active sports fields are lighted after dusk, and controls must be in place to turn off lights no later than 11:00 pm or two hours post close of business, whichever is later.
• Lumens Targeting: At least 85% of the total lumens generated by the downward-aimed sports lighting luminaires must fall inside the targeted area.

Prohibited Lighting for New Construction

• Strobe Lights and Laser Lights: Including laser light shows.
• Flashing Lights: Unless temporarily triggered by a security system and extinguished within 30 minutes or at the time of a security response.
• Building Outline Lighting: Lighting used to outline a building is prohibited.
• Uplighting: Uplighting is prohibited except when lighting the American flag or other government-endorsed flags.

Learn more about the Forest Preserve District of Kane County at https://kaneforest.com/