Bird Safe State Buildings Bill HB0247 has passed the Illinois House and Senate and is now on Governor Pritzker's desk!
The bill will require that state buildings use a reduced or protected amount of glass and bird-friendly design features along with reduced and sheilded lighting practices for the prevention of bird collisions.
Once enacted, the bill will apply to future state building construction or major renovations of existing buildings.
This legislation is a significant acknowledgement of the importance of protecting migratory birds. It will hopefully motivate companies to produce bird-friendly products that will be chosen for state projects. Any state building that is constructed, renovated or retrofitted with bird-friendly features will set an example of designs others can model themselves after and spread the use of bird-safe features.
Here's hoping that bird-friendly design will one day will be the accepted and expected way to build!
Follow the bill: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=247&GAID=16&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=128129&SessionID=110&GA=102