Plan Ahead: Here’s When We Change Our Clocks Back In Illinois
Whether you're one of those people who's absolutely delighted about changing the clocks back because you're really looking forward to an added hour of sleep, or you firmly hate the idea because it means the days are going to get shorter sooner and darker earlier, it's almost time to fall back.
Despite all the talk about doing away with clock-changing twice a year in the United States, lawmakers in this state and throughout the country just can't seem to get their act together and get rid of something that a majority of Illinoisans want to see go away once and for all.
Last Year, The U.S. Senate Took A Vote And Unanimously Passed A Bill That Would Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent
So why has nothing changed? Well, for one, this was done by voice-vote, and has not been taken up by the House of Representatives. Also, the current administration has not actually articulated a stance on the topic to begin with.
Then there's the problem of picking the wrong method of time-keeping to begin with. After the vote in favor of permanent Daylight Saving Time, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine issued a statement that praised the idea of eliminating time changes, but lamented the fact that the Senate chose the wrong one to keep around:
The AASM position statement also indicates that “current evidence best supports the adoption of year-round standard time, which aligns best with human circadian biology and provides distinct benefits for public health and safety.” The statement was endorsed by more than 20 medical, scientific, and civic organizations, including the American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National PTA, National Safety Council, Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, and World Sleep Society.
While Everyone Works That Problem Out (Hopefully Within Our Lifetimes), Here's When Illinoisans Should Turn Those Clocks Back
I wanted to give you a little heads-up time now, so you won't find yourself scrambling later to change your clocks because you keep showing up early to everything.
Before 2005, clock were to be turned forward on the first Sunday in April, then turned back again on the last Sunday in October.
Now, we "spring ahead" on the second Sunday in March, and "fall back" on the first Sunday in November. So, on Saturday November 4th, turn your clocks back an hour before you call it a night so you'll be all set when the time change happens at 2am on Sunday, November 5th.