As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, the time has come to “fall back.” But not all states observe daylight saving time, and some have introduced laws to eliminate it altogether.
Here’s what you need to know as Daylight Saving Time approaches.
When do we change the hours?
Under federal law, states that participate in daylight saving time will set their clocks back to 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November, which this year falls on November 3.
The clocks will then advance on the second Sunday of March 2025, which will fall on March 9.
What is daylight saving time?
Daylight saving time is a clock change that typically begins in the spring and ends in the fall. Under the terms of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. On these days, the clocks go forward or back an hour.
When it is not in daylight saving time, the time is called standard time.
As it stands, Illinois falls somewhere in between. “Spring forward” is when the state switches to daylight saving time, and “fallback” marks a return to standard time.
According to the Time and Date website, standard time is the local time of a country or region when daylight saving time is not used.
“More than 60% of countries around the world use standard time year-round,” the site says. “Other countries use daylight saving time during the summer months, usually moving clocks forward one hour from standard time.”
When does daylight saving time end?
Currently, Illinois and several states in the United States are switching to Daylight Saving Time, which began in the spring. But that will soon end as the clocks “go back” this season, giving residents a coveted extra hour of sleep.
But when does it happen?
The federal government requires clocks to be turned back on the first Sunday in November each year. In 2024, it falls on November 3.
Do all states participate in daylight saving time?
Most states participate in biannual clock changes, but Arizona and Hawaii do not, having renounced the practice.
Can states decide their own timetable?
Under the provisions of the Uniform Time Act, states have the option of either participating in daylight saving time, agreeing to move clocks forward and back on designated days, or opting out of the practice altogether. , maintaining standard time all year round.
States cannot choose to maintain daylight saving time permanently under the provisions of the law.
However, many states have passed legislation that would convert them to year-round daylight saving time if Congress amended the Uniform Time Act. According to KGW, Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee all have laws on the books that would allow states to would observe permanent daylight saving time if Congress allowed it. do it.
Are there any efforts to adopt year-round daylight saving time in Illinois and Indiana?
Although laws have been proposed to observe permanent daylight saving time in Illinois, none have passed the General Assembly, according to lawmakers.
The same is true in Indiana, where most of the state operates on Eastern Time and the northwest counties of Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton and Jasper operate on Eastern Time. Central time.
In Michigan, a referendum was proposed to voters that would have allowed a vote on DST, but it was sent to committee and did not pass in time for the 2024 election.
