Will County rejects changes to outdoor lighting rules

JOLIET Will County Executive Larry Walsh cast a rare tie-breaking vote Thursday, killing a proposed rule change that would have regulated outdoor lighting deemed a hazard or nuisance.

The Will County Board voted 11-11 on the matter, with Walsh casting the tie-breaking vote.

The issue arose earlier this month during a Land Use & Development Committee meeting. Committee Chairman Tom Weigel, R-New Lenox, said he received a complaint about two upset neighbors shining lights onto each others property.

The breaking point was when one neighbor erected a lamppost and intentionally shined a floodlight straight into a neighbors bedroom window.

County Board member Jackie Traynere, D-Bolingbrook, was the first to speak out against the proposal, saying government was overstepping its bounds with the rule change.

The ordinance amendment states lighting shall not create a hazard or nuisance and that it should be shielded whenever possible to prevent light and glare spillover to adjacent property and abutting right-of-way.

From the other side of the aisle, Republican County Board Member Gretchen Fritz of Plainfield said she agreed, arguing theres no clear measurements that define whether lighting is hazardous.

What is hazardous? What is a nuisance? she said.

Neighbors should work things out on their own without government stepping in, said County Board Member Bob Howard, a Democrat.

Excerpt from:
Will County rejects changes to outdoor lighting rules