Resident urges Cook County to adopt dark-sky lighting practices

Chris Kent, a Cook County resident, told the Board of Commissioners on March 25 that local volunteers are measuring light pollution and want the county to limit upward-directed and high-Kelvin lighting.

Kent said his group, Starry Skies North, is tracking sky-quality readings across the county and asked that county projects and private developments use shielding, lower color temperatures and motion sensors.

"The best thing to do is shield lights to make sure that they're not pointing up," Kent said. He added that fixtures should be used "only when you need them" and recommended 3,000 Kelvin or lower for color temperature, noting higher Kelvin LEDs increase light scatter off snow.

Kent pointed to existing dark-sky protections for the Boundary Waters and asked that the county apply similar considerations to projects such as the law enforcement center and new transfer stations. He also said volunteers are identifying and certifying existing businesses as dark-sky friendly.

Board members did not take immediate action during the meeting; the comment was recorded during the public comment period and will be part of the public record.

Kent said the group will continue taking readings and tracking changes in sky quality across Cook County.