It’s Time to Ditch the Switch and Lock the Clock
SPRINGFIELD, IL… State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) presented his bill, HB 1400 for a subject matter hearing in the House State Government Administration Committee. HB 1400 seeks to amend the Time Standardization Act and make Daylight Saving Time permanent in Illinois.
Illinois uses two time standards, Central Standard Time (CST) and Central Daylight Time (CDT). Central Standard Time is used from the first Sunday in November, until the second Sunday in March and is most known for the “fall back” period in which the clocks are turned back, and an extra hour is gained on the first Sunday in November. Central Daylight Time is the period between the second Sunday of March through the first Sunday of November. In Central Daylight Time, clocks “spring ahead” and one hour is lost on the second Sunday in March.
Besides when the time standards are enacted, the main difference between Central Standard Time and Central Daylight Time is how early the sun rises and sets. Using Central Standard Time, the sun would rise earlier and set earlier, whereas Central Daylight Time would have later sunrises and sunsets.
While Rep. Halbrook does not have a strong preference for Central Standard Time or Central Daylight Time, he notes that he just doesn’t like the change but knows most people agree with ending the bi-annual change and sees the enhanced benefits for moving to permanent Daylight Saving Time.
“Year in and year out we do the same ritual of changing the clocks in March and November and each time we deal with the same consequences of lost sleep, increased accidents, and see a decline in public health and productivity,” said Rep. Halbrook. “My bill works to implement the commonsense solution here, which is to switch to permanent Central Daylight Saving Time and eliminate the outdated change. Let’s move Illinois forward to make our schedule healthier, our communities safer, and our clock simpler.”
Under federal law, states cannot make the change on their own, they must get congressional approval before making the switch. By passing HB 1400, Illinois is positioning itself to act quickly and decisively if the chance to change the time standards is approved.
HB 1400 will be heard back in committee for a vote. To follow the bill’s progress, visit ilga.gov.
To continue his advocacy for ending the bi-annual time change, Rep. Halbrook has also introduced House Resolution 128, which calls on the United States Congress to enact permanent Daylight Saving Time. The resolution has been assigned to the State Government Administration Committee and awaits a hearing.
“It’s time to ditch the switch and lock the clock,” concluded Halbrook.
With questions, please contact Rep. Halbrook’s office at (217) 342-0220, or by visiting RepHalbrook.com.
###