Illinois is flipping the switch on outdated lighting technology. Effective January 1, 2026, the state’s Clean Lighting Act begins its phase-out of mercury-containing fluorescent lamps in favor of safer, more energy-efficient LED (Light Emitting Diode) alternatives. This legislation is a significant step aimed at protecting the environment and saving consumers money on energy bills.
The Phase-Out Begins: What is Banned in 2026?
The law implements the ban in two key phases, beginning with the most common consumer bulbs:
Phase 1: Starting January 1, 2026
The ban prohibits the sale, offer for sale, or distribution of certain new manufactured products in the state:
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Screw-Base or Bayonet-Base Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs): This includes the common “twisty” fluorescent bulbs that plug into standard residential light sockets.
Phase 2: Starting January 1, 2027
The ban will expand to cover commercial and industrial lighting products:
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Pin-Base Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
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Linear Fluorescent Lamps (the long fluorescent tubes found in many offices, schools, and commercial facilities).
Note: If you already own these fluorescent bulbs, you can continue to use them, but when they burn out, they must be replaced with an alternative, typically an LED bulb.
The Environmental and Economic Rationale
The shift to LED lighting is driven by two powerful factors:
1. Eliminating Mercury Pollution
All fluorescent lamps contain a small amount of mercury, a potent neurotoxin. When these bulbs are not disposed of properly (and reports show three out of four are not), the mercury can leach into landfills and the environment, posing a risk to waste handlers and polluting waterways. The ban aims to eliminate hundreds of pounds of mercury pollution over the next few decades.
2. Massive Energy and Cost Savings
LED lighting offers superior efficiency:
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Energy Use: LEDs generally use about half the energy of fluorescent lamps.
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Lifespan: LEDs often last two to three times longer than fluorescent bulbs.
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Savings: Proponents estimate the switch could save Illinois consumers and businesses over $1.5 billion on utility bills by 2050.
Exemptions to the Ban
The law wisely includes exemptions for highly specialized uses where LED alternatives may not be feasible, including:
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Medical and Veterinary Lamps: Used for diagnostics or treatment.
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Academic Research Lamps: Used exclusively for research projects.
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Image Capture and Projection: Lamps used for photocopying or printing.
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Motor Vehicle Lamps: CFLs used to replace bulbs in vehicles manufactured before January 1, 2020.
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