5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Cook County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Cook County does not have a specific dark sky ordinance for unincorporated areas. Lighting is regulated through zoning ordinance provisions and general nuisance standards. Cook County Forest Preserves maintain dark areas within the county.
Light trespass from outdoor lighting in unincorporated Cook County is addressed through general nuisance provisions and zoning standards. Lights that unreasonably disturb neighbors may result in enforcement action.
Illuminated billboards in Cook County must comply with the Illinois Highway Advertising Control Act brightness rule of 0.3 foot-candles above ambient measured at 250 feet, plus Cook County Code Ch. 38 environmental standards and Ch. 102 zoning lighting controls limiting glare and trespass onto adjacent properties.
Cook County Code Ch. 38 environmental nuisance provisions and Ch. 102 zoning lighting standards require security and floodlights in unincorporated areas to be fully shielded full-cutoff fixtures aimed downward, with light trespass capped at the property line and color temperatures preferably under 3000 Kelvin.
Cook County and most suburban municipalities exempt seasonal decorative holiday lighting from outdoor lighting and sign restrictions during a typical November 1 through January 15 window. Outside that period, decorative lights revert to standard light trespass and zoning sign rules.
8 cities in Cook County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules • Billboard Lighting, Dark Sky Rules
2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass
2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass
2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass
2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass
2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass
2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass
2 verified rules • Dark Sky Rules, Light Trespass
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