Metro East Sun

As November approaches, residents of Illinois are preparing for the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST) this weekend. On Sunday, November 3, 2024, at exactly 2 a.m., clocks will be set back one hour, marking the official return to Standard Time. This change offers an extra hour of sleep but also brings earlier sunsets and longer nights.

The shift serves as an annual reminder that winter is near. In Illinois, daylight hours will significantly decrease, with sunset occurring around 4:41 p.m. following the time change.

Daylight Saving Time was initially introduced during World War I as part of efforts by the United States to conserve fuel and energy. The idea was to shift an hour of daylight from morning to evening so households would use less energy for lighting and heating in the evening.

This temporary measure was well-received and revisited during World War II. Later, Congress enacted the Uniform Time Act of 1966 to standardize DST across states. However, not all parts of the U.S. participate in this clock change; states like Arizona and Hawaii, along with some U.S. territories, remain on standard time year-round.

In recent years, discussions about eliminating time changes have gained momentum. The Sunshine Protection Act aims to make Daylight Saving Time permanent and has been introduced several times in Congress. If passed, it would eliminate the need to adjust clocks twice a year. Despite public support, this legislation has yet to move beyond committee discussions.

In Illinois, various efforts have been made to eliminate biannual time shifts. State lawmakers have proposed bills over the years either to adopt permanent DST or do away with it entirely. However, no permanent solution has been reached at state or federal levels so far.

Daylight Saving Time will return on March 9, 2025, when clocks will "spring forward" by one hour again. As people prepare to "fall back," they can enjoy an extra hour of sleep while adjusting their routines for earlier daylight in the mornings.