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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

The Chicago Astronomer Supports
the Cook County "Starlight" Light Pollution Ordinance

February 2012

Fellow Chicago Astronomers...

As urban Astronomers, we all are deprived of dark skies by irresponsible lighting and gross illumination practices. We do our best to punch through the orange haze of light pollution at our Star Parties and Observation sessions - with limited success, but could be much better...and darker.

There is presently a bill to address this issue of smart lighting, (Downward aimed lights, timed lights etc...), that the Cook County Commissioners will vote on in early February and hopefully pass. On Wednesday, January 18, 2012, Cook County Commissioners John P. Daley and Larry Suffredin introduced the Cook County Lighting Ordinance ("Starlight Ordinance"). This is the very first ordinance addressing starlight and light pollution in Cook County and if passed will be a good first step to reduce light pollution in Cook County.

But briefly...

It states that Cook County shall exercise smart lighting in all county controlled facilities and grounds... and as #4 in the purpose of the ordinance states -

....(4) "allowing visual access to starry night skies. "

This is very good and a great approach to darker skies, but we should all, as Urban Astronomers and lovers of the night sky, contact the County Board in direct support of the Bill before it gets voted on. Calling this week would be great with a follow up email....


Commissioner Larry Suffredin's office: [phone]
[e-mail]

Commissioner John P. Daley's office: [phone]
[e-mail]


If you are a registered voter and live in Chicago, you can find out your Cook County Commissioner's district at the Chicago Board of Elections website:

www.chicagoelections.com/voterinfo.php

If you are a registered voter and live in suburban Cook County, you can find out your Cook County Commissioner's district at the Cook County Board of Elections:

www.cookcountyclerk.com/elections/pages/default.aspx


The vote on this ordinance is scheduled for February 1 or February 2, so ideally it would be great to have calls going into offices now through then. Also, these are Cook County Commissioner offices, so a handful of calls a day on this issue will make it a huge difference.

A special acknowledgment to fellow Astronomer and friend Audrey Fisher. She has been a strong proponent and advocate of Dark Sky awareness for sometime now - and is responsible for this Cook County smart lighting bill, Star Parks and other efforts to bring back dark skies. And, a shout-out to several Chicago Astronomers who made contributions and viable support in this fine activity to bring back dark skies.

But, do please contact your Cook County Commisioner and tell them to vote yes on this bill.

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Here is the Bill:

PROPOSED ORDINANCE

ITEM #8

Submitting a Proposed Ordinance sponsored by

JOHN P. DALEY and LARRY SUFFREDIN, County Commissioners

PROPOSED ORDINANCE
COOK COUNTY LIGHTING ORDINANCE

BE IT ORDAINED, by the Cook County Board of Commissioners, that Chapter 2 Administration, Article V Departments and Similar Agencies, Division 1 Generally of the Cook County Code is hereby enacted as follows:

Sec. 2-341. – Purpose and Policy.

(a). Title. This division shall be known and may be cited as the “Cook County Lighting Ordinance” of Cook County, Illinois.

(b) Purpose. The purpose of the Cook County Lighting Ordinance is to achieve effective and efficient lighting, while:

(1) preserving the safety, security and well-being of Cook County residents and visitors;
(2) protecting natural flora and fauna;
(3) conserving energy and other resources; and

(4) allowing visual access to starry night skies.

Accordingly, it is the intent of this Ordinance to have Cook County Departments use lighting systems that minimize light pollution, light trespass and conserve energy while maintaining nighttime safety, utility, security and productivity.

(c) Public and Private Partners. Cook County Departments shall strive to plan, design, operate and maintain their lighting systems, with Public and Private partners, in a manner that meets the guidelines and objectives outlined in this ordinance.

(d) Applicability. The requirements of this Code shall apply to all new and replacement lighting on roadways, developments, properties, buildings or structures under the jurisdiction of Cook County Departments. Each Cook County Department will create, enact and implement policies and procedures to meet the purposes of this ordinance in accordance with the guidelines set forth herein. page 16 AGENDA Meeting of January 18, 2012

(e) Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence or clause of this ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction or administrative agency, the invalidity of that provision or application shall not affect, impair or invalidate any remaining section, subsection, paragraph, sentence or clause of this ordinance or its application.

(f) Conformance with Applicable Codes. All outdoor electric illuminating devices shall be installed in conformance with the provisions of the Cook County Code, the Cook County Zoning Regulations, the Illinois Compiled Statutes or any Federal Statute. Where any provision of any of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, or any Federal Statute, or any related County regulation conflicts with the requirements of this ordinance, the most restrictive shall govern.

Section 2-342. – Guidelines.

In furtherance of this ordinance, Cook County Departments will work to ensure that:

(1) All lighting fixtures and lamps shall be located, installed, directed, shielded and maintained to avoid light trespass and to eliminate direct light and/or glare on neighboring properties. To the best extent practicable, light emitted from outdoor lighting on County property shall not cause the light level along any property line, as measured at a height of 60 inches above grade in a plane at any angle of inclination to exceed the maximum light level of 0.1 footcandles. For purposes of this section, “footcandle” is defined as “a unit of luminous flux.”

(2) Lights that minimize the amount of electricity consumed (such as Low Pressure Sodium, High Pressure Sodium, Mercury Vapor or Light Emitting Diode) are to be installed, to the best extent practicable.

(3) Lighting directed upwards is to be eliminated, to the best extent practicable. When lighting flags, Cook County Departments will strive to install lighting that is directed downwards, to the best extent practicable.

(4) All non-essential lighting is to be turned off after business hours and/or when not in use.

(5) Where practical, outdoor lighting installations are to include timers, dimmers, sensors, or photocell controllers that turn the lights off during daylight hours to reduce overall energy consumption and eliminate unnecessary lighting. Sensor activated fixtures should not be triggered by activity off the subject property. page 17 AGENDA Meeting of January 18, 2012

(6) When selecting new outdoor lighting, the full cost of operation over the life of the fixture(s) should be considered. Substantial annual energy savings may be realized by using quality efficient fixtures. To the best extent practicable, all lamps installed must exceed 72 lumens per watt.

(7) Indiscriminate and excessive lighting should be avoided. Light should be directed only to where it is needed with appropriate intensity.

(8) On properties which are adjacent to or contain sensitive biological resources, any exterior lighting shall be limited to low-level lights and shields to minimize the amount of light entering any identified sensitive biological resource areas, to the best extent practicable.

Section 2-343. – Exceptions

This ordinance shall not apply if the County Department finds that one or more of the following conditions apply:
(a) The lighting is required by State, County or Federal law.
(b) The lighting is in use for a temporary purpose, including, but not limited to:
(1) Special Events
(2) Seasonal Decorations
(3) Maintenance or repair operations
(4) Other emergency lighting
(c) The lighting is in use for construction activities intended to keep a roadway in serviceable condition. Lighting used for construction must only be erected during the period of construction and must be removed upon completion of construction activities.
(d) The lighting is in use for the control of aircraft.

(e) The lighting is located within a fountain, underwater or to illuminate the American Flag.

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Call and email your support in this fine dark sky ordinance... #Thumbsup#

[headdunce]

Called and Emailed -- also was told from the John P. Daley's office that it will probably be passed!!

Joe for President

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Sweet!

Several Chicago Astronomers have already called and expressed their support.

Well done!

[erikruud]

I don't live in Cook county, one of my many blessings, but I am going to pass the information on to the City of Saint Charles and Kane County.

[Mahinamama]

Don't live in Cook, with great joy I might add. But would like to support the passing of this in all counties.

[boozeclues]

I will of course do my part and call but I'd imagine it will pass due to the vagueness of it. Every article is based off self compliance

[headdunce]

In related news...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-16607293
People in an Exmoor town were challenged to switch off their lights as part of the BBC's Stargazing Live.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Status update:

In an effort to reduce light pollution in Cook County, Cook County Commissioners Larry Suffredin and John Daley introduced the Starlight Ordinance Jan 18th to the Cook County Board and Jan 19th to the Forest Preserve District of CC.

Already 16 out of 17 commissioners have signed on! It is now sent to the Cook County Environmental Committee for review. It is very important to keep support emails & phone calls coming in strong for the next 9 days.

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Looking good!

[magic612]

I called yesterday! Was quick and easy.

[audrey]

Hi! Thanks for all the great support for starlight! Even though 16 out of 17 commissioners co-sponsored this bill, your Phone calls and emails are more important now than ever. A local paper called this morning for a 15-min interview about the starlight ordinance. I don't know how many other people she interviewed and what take the story will have. She seemed very receptive, but we all know how starlight goals can be misunderstood. It is very important to contact President Preckwinkle, every single commissioner, and the CC chief of environment-Deb Stone by phone and email or letter and know that we back them up. Volunteer your assistance in case they ever have a question! The Starlight Ordinance is being examined by the commissioners in the Cook County Environmental Committee THIS WEEK. Many astronomers are inspired by nature but also passive-natured and reluctant to stand up as an activist... some astronomers think it's hopeless, and so, don't try. I'm saying, we need you now! to act and recruit. Act, even if you do not live in Cook... and then, IF THIS PASSES, we will have the synergy to get it passed in the next county, and across the state borders. I met with Gov Quinn. He may come to ALCon2012... and i hope, to announce a state-wide commitment for the reduction of light pollution. We cannot let this Cook County ordinance fail. .. it is the very first time the value of seeing the stars has EVER been mentioned in Cook County ordinance. If it fails, some commissioners may be reluctant to stick their neck out again, and other counties will get gun-shy too. BUT, if it succeeds, one-county-at-a-time, you will see starlight turn on the SHINE.

[patrickm]

Way to go, Audrey!!! Thanks!

[Mark Ross]

Called Bridget Gainer's office today.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Stargazers say let darkness fall; battle light pollution

Audrey is our dark sky maiden.....

Imagine if the inspiration for Van Gogh’s Starry Night had been an urban sky. The famous Dutch artist would have needed a lot less yellow paint.

Stargazers are excited about a proposed Cook County ordinance that is aimed at darkening the night skies in and around Chicago.

“Kids today don’t even know what a starry sky looks like,” said Audrey Fischer, director of the Chicago Astronomical Society. She showed 400 children at last summer’s Taste of Chicago event photographs of starry night skies. Not one knew what to make of the pictures.

“And only two adults knew they were looking at stars,” she said.

Fischer is hopeful that the Starlight Ordinance, recently introduced by Commissioner Larry Suffredin (D-Evanston), will have enough backing to pass separate votes by the county board and forest preserve district board. A hearing is set for Wednesday. If the measure passes committee, it will be presented to the boards, which have the same members.

In addition to giving astronomers better night sky vision, ordinance supporters say less ambient light would positively affect the health of humans, plants and animals.

The ordinance calls for existing streetlighting to be replaced, once it wears out, with dark-sky lighting, Fischer said.

Dark-sky lighting, she explained, shines downward, while most of the existing lighting also shines upward and outward, diminishing the visibility of the night sky.

Cook County’s light pollution, she said, trespasses more than 100 miles in all directions.

The technology has been around for 20 years, she said, and some communities, including Evergreen Park and parts of Oak Lawn, already have installed some dark-sky lighting.

She says the newer lighting emits less glare and illuminates the streets and sidewalks better.

Without such measures, she said, “We could be the last generation to see starlight.”

Suffredin said the idea for the ordinance grew out of a meeting with a forest preserve district task force. He said he’s always looking for ways to enhance the public’s forest preserve experience.

“Being able to see stars at night would do that,” he said.

The measure would not cost taxpayers any additional money, he said.

“It would simply be making better use of the money we have,” he said.

Art Maurer, director of the Trackman Planetarium at Joliet Junior College, said when he first moved to Crete years ago, he could see the Milky Way from his back yard. He can still see stars over the third magnitude, a scale for brightness, but new retail centers and developments have lightened up much of the sky, blotting out the famous galaxy.

“It’s certainly not what it used to be,” he said.

But he can’t imagine that preserving starlight will ever be a big priority in this day of economic struggles and budgetary cutbacks.

“We astronomy lovers are few and far between,” he said.

Besides, he added, “You don’t have to go far to get skies dark enough to see lots of stars.”

The Monee Reservoir and the area north of Princeton are among favorite destinations of Chicago area stargazers, he said.

Carol Baker, director of curriculum for science and music in Community High School District 218, said, “While I agree with the concern and premise, I do not believe that (such an ordinance) will solve the problem.”

Reducing light pollution by replacing some street lamps is a noble gesture, she said, but it would result in only a little reduction of the problem.

“I live near forest preserves where there are no streetlights for miles, yet still the light pollution from surrounding communities and from Chicago affect my ability to see all but the brightest stars in the night sky,” she said.

“Money may be better spent on field trips to take students to more rural areas where the night sky will be darker,” she said.

But Drew Carhart, of the Illinois Coalition for Responsible Outdoor Lighting, said replacing old lights with lights that are dark-sky friendly should not cost any more than installing traditional lights, especially now that the former is readily available on the market.

“Indoors, just about all the light a lamp makes is useful; whatever shines on the wall or ceiling reflects back into the room,” he said. “Outside, the largest efficiency problems aren’t with the lamps ... They center on where the light which the lamps make ends up. This is determined by the engineering of the light fixture. One fixture might get 75 percent of the light from the lamp down to the sidewalk, roadway or other area the light was installed to illuminate, while another might do far worse.”

Lights that point their beams downward help preserve darkness above, giving Earthlings the opportunity to see stars, he said.

southtownstar.suntimes.com/news/10206935-418/stargazers-say-let-darkness-fall.html

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But read the insipid comments from the mental midgets in the comments section of this article at the link...

[headdunce]

Jan 30, 2012 14:22:19 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Audrey is our dark sky maiden.....

Jan 30, 2012 14:22:19 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

But read the insipid comments from the mental midgets in the comments section of this article at the link...

[erikruud]

The comments below the article are about as expected. It was the comments by Art Maurer and Carol Baker that disturbed me.

[Paulie pchris00]

Jim laid the smack down on said mental midgets.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Oooh...

I read Jim's reply.

Too cool!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Chicago Astronomer Robb and Light Pollution article

ELGIN — Some might call Robb Walker an amateur astronomer, but that goes a little further than his knowledge, the Elgin man admitted.

“I am a night sky enthusiast,” said Walker, who grew up in Mount Morris, Ill. As a child, he was “really into” astronomy and loved lying on a blanket in the backyard, just watching the stars.

“I could see the Milky Way and lots of stars,” Walker said. “Then I grew up, went into the Army and moved out to the suburbs,” and didn’t think much more about those nights looking at the sky.

Two years ago, however, when his then-4-year-old daughter asked him questions about the stars and planets, it re-ignited that passion, he said.

Walker (no relation to this reporter) got a telescope and began watching shows about stars and planets on TV. Walker and other Chicago-area amateur astronomers do what they call “sidewalk astronomy,” setting up telescopes outside the Adler Planetarium in Chicago and offering passers-by a chance to see a star and the planets on their own.

He also realized that his daughter, now age 6, probably won’t have the chance to grow up seeing the stars and planets the same way he did — because of light pollution.

So Walker founded the website www.OneDarkSky.com, a site dedicated to amateur astronomy and the night sky in general.

He and others like him want to promote turning off lights in the cities at night, to give others the opportunity to really see what the night sky can be.

Some may say that if he wants to see the night sky, he should just drive out to the countryside — that the city is a place of bright lights and that nothing can, or should, be done about it.

But he suspects those people have never really seen what the sky can look like at night, Walker said.

Smart lighting

Night sky enthusiasts say they are not trying to make the U.S. or the Chicago region into a picture of North Korea — nighttime shots of nothing but blackness over the land.

“We are trying to educate people. What we are looking for is smart and responsible lighting at night,” Walker said.

The lights in parking lots that light the sky but not the parking lot, the neighbor’s yard light that stays on all night, the streetlights that are on from dusk to dawn with no shielding from the night sky — all those cause the light pollution that blocks views of the stars.

If there are laws about noise pollution — not keeping neighbors awake with noise from parties — then why, Walker asks, can a neighbor’s yard light be kept on all night, shining into his house?

He had one neighbor whose backyard light was so bright that even more than a block away from his home he could use that light to cast shadow puppets for his daughter.

Lights on all the time also give residents a false sense of security, he said. One United Kingdom study he referenced showed that crime went down when the lights were turned off at night — the criminals didn’t like being out in the pitch black either, and flashlights just drew attention to their actions, Walker said.

Targeting pollution

There also is a push in Cook County and the Cook County Forest District to reduce the amount of light pollution in the county, Walker noted.

“The Cook County Board and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County are considering a lighting ordinance that celebrates starlight and aims to reduce the light pollution so prevalent in the Chicago metropolitan area,” he said. “The ordinance has already been presented and a vote is scheduled for the beginning of February.”

Voters in Campton Hills approved of such a “dark sky” ordinance in a 2009, and Barrington Hills has passed local rules limiting light pollution.

Walker, several friends in the amateur astronomy community, and other like-minded organizations “are preparing for a grand celebration of our night skies in 2012.”

In July, the Astronomical League will host its annual conference in Chicago,

Called ALCon2012, the conference corresponds to both the 150th anniversary of modern astronomy in the Western Hemisphere and the 175th anniversary of the city of Chicago, Walker said.

couriernews.suntimes.com/news/10274507-418/astronomer-cutting-light-pollution-key-to-seeing-stars.html

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Very cool....and I dig the pic.

The only thing amateur is the attitude. I'm glad Robb phrased it differently.

A lesson to all and nothing amateur about Chicago Astronomers...

[patrickm]

Freaking awesome, Robb! And what a handsome photo.

Amateur (vs. professional) just means you don't get paid for something. It does not in any way reflect upon ability. If nothing else, our confederation proves that point.

[magic612]

Feb 1, 2012 16:22:09 GMT -6 patrickm said:

Amateur (vs. professional) just means you don't get paid for something. It does not in any way reflect upon ability. If nothing else, our confederation proves that point.

Agreed!

as·tron·o·mer/əˈstränəmər/
Noun:
An expert in or student of astronomy.

Robb, you qualify. As do the rest of us. ;D

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Dark Sky Maiden Audrey at the Cook County Board

Brian Miller- Comm Suffredin's council, Bob Gadbois, Greg Fischer, Audrey Fischer, Joe Mayer, Joe Joseph Glynn, Commissioner Larry Suffredin

The coolest!

[atomant]

Most excellent!!