New Illinois Bill Would Stop Daylight Saving Time But Only If Iowa Does It Too

Why do we still even save the daylight anymore?

It seems like most of us are really done with the whole 'springing forward, fall back' thing. A recent YouGov survey found that 64% of Americans say they'd like it if the clock quit changing 2 times a year. I'm sure our sleep schedules would too.

A lot of legislation has been introduced in a lot of states over the years that would put the practice of Daylight Saving Time out of their state. Illinois has pushed for it for years, renewing it last spring. Now, state lawmakers are back at it with a revised version.

House Bill 5400 in Illinois would exempt the state from changing clocks, but only if Missouri and Iowa also choose to quit changing their clocks too. The bill would make a switch to permanent standard time.

Experts with both the Illinois Sleep Society and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine said earlier sunsets are better for our bodies so ending Daylight Saving Time would be the right move.

Would Iowa Do It?

Last year, Iowa legislature introduced 2 bills that would make daylight saving time permanent. They're still in review but if the bills were to pass, they wouldn't be able to take effect until federal approval.

And Missouri?

The other state Illinois requires approval from is Missouri. Over the last few years, lawmakers in Missouri have talked a lot about what to do with DST. A measure was revived this January to put the state on standard time year-round.

Daylight Saving Time was started in 1918 in an effort to conserve fuel during World War 1. It was used during World War 2 for the same reason. It's been in effect consistently since the 60's. Another argument I've heard for it is that "falling back" gives the kids an extra hour of trick-or-treating in daylight on Halloween.