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The bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove,
said toxic pollutants in fluorescent bulbs pose a health risk.
“These types of fluorescent lamps contain mercury and pose a
threat to not only the health of people but also the
environment,” said Johnson.
The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) was behind the
legislation. Their report says that three in four fluorescent
lamps are improperly disposed of, thus releasing mercury into
the environment.
Critics said the conversion to LED bulbs will be costly,
especially for businesses.
Illinois PIRG State Director Abe Scarr said LED bulbs are more
expensive, but the costs will be recouped because they are more
energy efficient.
“Even with the initial bulb costs a little bit more and you put
out more upfront to pay for an LED bulb than you would for
fluorescent, you are going to make that money back sometime
within a month,” said Scarr.
PIRG reports a typical small office could see $900 a year in
savings and an average school could save $3,700 per year.
Exemptions would apply for certain fluorescent lamps used for
medical diagnostics, photocopying and printing, and in vehicle
headlights.
Former President Donald Trump’s administration in 2019 undid a
previous Obama-era expansion of the 2007 light bulb rule,
although the Biden administration later reinstated it.
According to an analysis by the Appliance Standards Awareness
Project, the new bulbs will save Illinois consumers more than
$1.5 billion on utility bills by the year 2050.
“This legislation will save families and small businesses
millions on their utility bills,” said Josh McClenney, state
policy associate with the Appliance Standards Awareness Project.
“It’s a common sense policy."
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