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HB 5400

PERMANENT STANDARD TIME

104th Regular Session Introduced by Laura Faver Dias and 1 co-sponsor

Illinois bill proposes year-round Standard Time to eliminate seasonal clock changes, requiring federal approval and risking early winter darkness for evening activities.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 5400

Legislative bill overview

HB 5400 proposes that Illinois adopt Permanent Standard Time year-round, eliminating the practice of switching between Central Standard Time and Central Daylight Time. This would require federal authorization under the Uniform Time Act, which allows states to remain on standard time permanently but generally prohibits permanent daylight saving time without congressional approval.

Why is this important

Permanent time changes affect daily life significantly—school start times, sunrise/sunset hours, business operations, and circadian rhythms all shift. Illinois borders states with different time practices, creating coordination challenges for transportation, commerce, and communication. The bill addresses long-standing debate about whether biannual time switches provide genuine benefits or create public health and economic costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Daylight availability: Permanent standard time means darker winter evenings (sunset around 4:15 PM in Chicago) and earlier winter sunrises, potentially affecting retail, recreation, and evening activities
  • Health and safety trade-offs: Research shows mixed results—permanent standard time may reduce accident spikes from clock changes but eliminate evening daylight that some argue improves safety and mood
  • Regional coordination issues: Neighboring states' different choices create scheduling complications for businesses, schools, and travelers; federal fragmentation challenges
  • Federal compliance limitations: The bill cannot unilaterally implement permanent daylight saving time; permanent standard time is more feasible but still requires navigating federal Uniform Time Act requirements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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