As part of Earth Hour, the State of Illinois will turn off the lights in state-occupied buildings in Chicago, including the James R. Thompson Center, the Michael Bilandic Building, and 401 S. Clinton. This includes all non-essential and decorative outside lights. We will be joined by the City of Chicago and hundreds of local businesses, residents, and organizations in conserving energy and demonstrating our commitment to combating climate change.

All street lights and lights vital to public safety will remain on.

What Can You Do for Earth Hour?

We encourage you to participate in Earth Hour from your home as well. We want people to see how easy it is to take action against climate change. You don’t have to turn off your refrigerator, for example, but we do encourage you to join other Illinoisans and your friends around the world by switching off your lights, changing to energy-efficient compact fluorescents and thinking of ways you can change your habits in the long-term to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions.

For more information on Earth Hour, visit the Earth Hour website at: www.earthhourus.org.

For more information on how to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions, visit the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s website at: www.epa.state.il.us.