Illinois’ Ban On Compact Fluorescent Lights Started January 1st

I don't mean to pry, but I have to ask: what kind of lightbulbs are you using at home?

Are you someone who kept a huge supply of the good, old-fashioned incandescent bulbs that we used to have before they were sent packing? Or, have you gone all LEDs around the house, even if it means the bulbs are far more expensive but last a lot longer and work far more cheaply?

Then again, maybe you're still hanging onto the much-hyped but short-lived compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs)...for now anyway.

You might want to consider LEDs again because you can't find incandescent bulbs anymore, and CFLs are now officially banned in the state of Illinois.

Illinois Bans Compact Fluorescent Bulbs, Here’s What You Need to Know

Starting January 1st, 2026, Illinois joined a growing number of states taking aim at compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). The new law, House Bill 2363, signed by Governor Pritzker back in August of 2024, makes it illegal to sell or distribute screw-base and bayonet-base CFLs. Pin-base and linear fluorescent lamps aren’t affected yet, but restrictions for those are set to kick in 2027.

The move comes from concerns about toxic pollutants in fluorescent bulbs, particularly mercury. State Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, who co-sponsored the legislation, pointed to studies showing that three in four fluorescent lamps are improperly disposed of, releasing mercury into the environment. For advocates, this is about reducing environmental hazards and protecting public health.

TheCenterSquare.com:

State Rep. Nicole La Ha, R-Homer Glen, voted in favor of HB 2363 but said lawmakers should focus on smart, affordable solutions.

“Any time that we have unfunded mandates or things that are going to affect our small businesses, or there’s more red tape that we have to push people through, I’m not always going to be very excited about those things,” La Ha told The Center Square.

The Move Toward CFLs Began Back 20 Years Ago As A Way To "Save The Planet"

In 2006, when the documentary An Inconvenient Truth hit theaters, former Vice President Al Gore and many environmental groups encouraged Americans to swap out incandescent bulbs for CFLs as a way to save energy. For almost two decades, CFLs were touted as the eco-friendly alternative (even with the mercury issues), but now states like Illinois are heavily pivoting toward LED lighting, which is both energy-efficient and mercury-free.

In short, if you’ve still got CFLs lying around, 2026 is the year to start thinking about replacements. LEDs are becoming the standard, not just for energy efficiency, but for safety and environmental reasons. For Illinois households, the switch isn’t just about saving electricity, it’s also about staying ahead of the law.

If you're somewhat unclear on the differences, check this out: