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After years of darkness, Statehouse lights restored

Posted in:

• Illinois

* The outside illuminating lights at the Statehouse were shut off years ago during the impasse. Here’s a photo from last week…

* Last night…

* Brenden’s story…

In perhaps the most visible sign the state has emerged from the darkness of a more than two-year-long budget impasse, the lights illuminating the Illinois State Capitol dome were switched on Tuesday night for the first time since 2015.

Illinois Secretary of State spokesman Henry Haupt confirmed the return of the lights, which were shut off due to the impasse as the state fell as much as $12 million behind on its City Light, Water and Power tab.

The dome lights have been upgraded to LED, which significantly reduces electrical costs. The Secretary of State’s office, which maintains the Capitol Complex, estimates that the cost comes out to about $4.33 per day, or just under $1,600 per year.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 1:48 pm

Comments

1. You can definitely tell the difference in the types of lights. Wow!

   Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 1:51 pm

2. “I’m frustrated too but taking steps to reform Illinois is more important than a short term budget stalemate”

   The Owl.

   We’re finally getting the *lights* back on, 3 fiscal years after no budget for 2 years.

   Thanks Diana and Bruce (exclamation mark)

   Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 1:51 pm

3. Ok. Heres where i go climate sensitive. I walk around my house constantly looking for wasted power. And someone is going to force me to go fossil fuel less. And my state govt. That signed on to the Paris Climate Agreement is fully aglow. Bahumbug

   Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 1:53 pm

4. ===And someone is going to force me to go fossil fuel less===

   You just make stuff up to be even more of a victim, don’t you?

   Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 1:54 pm

5. Great symbolism for the transition from the darkness of Rauner to the brighter future afterwards.

   Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 1:59 pm

6. At least for October can they turn them off for that haunted castle look?

   Comment by Ok Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:00 pm

7. I liked it without the lights.

   Comment by Unpopular Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:05 pm

8. She sure is a beauty, this Capitol, and the lights coming back on are very symbolic of the end of Rauner’s darkness.

   Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:06 pm

9. ===I liked it without the lights===

   But of course you did.

   Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:07 pm

10. The victim will be our kids.

    Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:08 pm

11. ===And my state govt. That (sic) signed on to the Paris Climate Agreement is fully aglow.===

    We dedicate these buildings to the great purposes they are intended to serve, as monuments to democracy. They should be lit as a prominent reminder of the purposes we serve. and for less than $5/day; I’m happy to pitch in for that.

    Comment by NIref Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:09 pm

12. =At least for October can they turn them off for that haunted castle look?=

    Turn the lights off, add hay bales and scary legislators for jump scares, finally charge everyone $5. That’s how we fix our pension hole, lol.

    Comment by SpfdNewb Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:12 pm

13. The darkness is now on the edge of town

    Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:14 pm

14. ===The victim will be our kids===

    “Won’t someone think about the kids?”

    That’s your retort? Make… kids victims… to these specific lights?

    And you want to be taken seriously?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:15 pm

15. Forget the climate change stuff for a moment. Isn’t it safer to have lights on?

    Comment by Steve Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:15 pm

16. - the victims will be our kids-
    What’s next - Soilent Green is right around the corner?

    Comment by Drake Mallard Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:22 pm

17. It is a beautiful building. And I am glad they switched to LEDs, so I suppose that is about the only good thing to come out of the impasse.

    But I will be glad when they finally get rid of that rusty train trestle.

    Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:27 pm

18. “If JB Pritzker gets in you can turn off the lights”

    Governor Bruce Rauner

    That quote hasn’t aged too well but his quotes about “culture of corruption” in Springfield politics are looking better and better every day.

    Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:29 pm

19. That web ad Rauner has where he turns that light bulb on and off comes to mind, ironically.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:34 pm

20. ===The victim will be our kids.===

    Mr Burn Coal Forever takes issue with a few lights. Okay then.

    Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:38 pm

21. Whose light shined brighter on our Capitol this week: the state’s or the feds?

    Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:43 pm

22. This is a missed opportunity by the Governor’s office. As symbolic as this event is, and at a low cost to taxpayers, this could have been really good PR. Instead, it is turned on some random October night when Springfield is not in session.

    With that said, glad to see the lights back on!

    Comment by twowaystreet Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:46 pm

23. ===a missed opportunity by the Governor’s office==

    It’s Jesse’s building.

    Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 2:49 pm

24. I had initial concerns about the environmental impact, too, but the LED aspect makes me feel better. And you gotta love the symbolism.

    Comment by LakeCo Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 3:11 pm

25. Do the lights have the capability to be changed to Cardinal Red? Go Cardinals!

    Comment by Yossarian Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 3:19 pm

26. LP still searching looking for a pro Rauner moment.

    Maybe Rauner should have been asking Secretary White to turn the lights back on. But he was too busy looking to replace himself on the ballot.

    Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 3:21 pm

27. BlueDog has a point assuming he’s actually concerned about the environment and not just trying to find another reason to criticize J.B. . while the act alone is a drop in the bucket, we should be encouraging people to use less of everything if we want to cut carbon emissions, which includes unnecessary lighting. I would prefer setting an example to pretty lights. I say this as a hypocrite who does not do everything in his personal life to reduce my carbon footprint so take it for what it’s worth.

    I withdraw my complaint if the lights are powered by renewable energy.

    Comment by ClimateChangeisReal Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 3:32 pm

28. Don’t know why there is any opposition to this at all. Look at the picture. It’s beautiful.

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 3:45 pm

29. ==The victim will be our kids.==

    Lighting up the Capitol got us down the road to our kids being victims how?

    Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 4:06 pm

30. Very symbolic.

    Where is Rauner? When is he going to break what appears to be his self-imposed silence?

    Comment by Mr. K. Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 5:13 pm

31. Like the building better with the lights off. There has been some recent research that nighttime lighting is adversely affecting the nocturnal habits of animals.

    Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 5:49 pm

32. Climate change. I am very concerned about the environment. I power a building almost entirely with solar. The problem. It is very, very expensive. 4th year in operation. 2 sets of batteries. $1800 both times. I dont use $30/month from traditional sources. I would assume 95% of south illinois residents could do this. Who is going to invest additional clean energy sources for the poor?

    Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 7:30 pm

33. I. Love. This. That is all.

    Comment by Former Merit Comp Wednesday, Oct 2, 19 @ 9:48 pm

34. I drove by around 1:30 am and the lights were off… are they on a schedule? Turn off at a certain time?

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:48 am

35. Anon:

    They go off at midnight.

    Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 9:19 am

36. I miss the colored lights strung from the top each Christmas Season. As a child I would look out my bedroom window to see them.

    Comment by Peanut Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:27 am

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