Westmont, Illinois – Date Issued: January 9, 2026
The Westmont Dark Sky Grant Program is intended to incentivize Westmont residents and businesses to consider changes to their properties that will reduce or even eliminate unnecessary light pollution, and protect our evening skies for everyone to see and enjoy. The goals of the Dark Sky Grant are:
1) PROMOTE the importance of reducing our carbon footprint by protecting dark skies and reducing light pollution
2) IMPROVE the welfare and quality of life for all people and wildlife
3) PROVIDE FUNDING for Dark Sky projects that meet grant criteria (while funds are available)
4) RECOGNIZE & REWARD residents & businesses for their support of our Dark Sky Initiative
The grant program will begin in January 2026 and continue through November 1, 2026, or until grant funds for this program have been exhausted.
To participate, Village residents and businesses must go online and fill out the application form. The sign-up form includes questions regarding: 1) the importance of a Dark Sky initiative, 2) Dark Sky practices that you have completed in the past, and 3) Dark Sky plans for upcoming property improvements.
As part of the grant application, the applicant must list in detail their intended Dark Sky purchase. The Westmont Environmental Improvement Committee (EIC) will review applications to confirm that program criteria is met. If the grant is approved, then the business or resident will complete their Dark Sky improvement, provide proof of purchase as well as evidence that the project has been completed, then the Village will award the reimbursement grant to the recipient. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis providing that the application meets grant eligibility and there are still funds available.
DARK SKY GRANT PROGRAM – INFORMATION & DETAILS
- Must be a resident or business located within the geographic boundaries of the Village of Westmont
- Grant program will run through November 1, 2026, or until funds have been depleted
- Grant intended for new Dark Sky home improvement projects started on or after January 1, 2026, and completed by November 1, 2026
- Grants will NOT be awarded for projects that were completed before 2026
- Applicants must complete and submit an online Dark Sky Grant application to be considered for the grant
- Applications will be reviewed by the EIC and Village Staff to determine eligibility – after review, the Village will notify all applicants regarding the status of their application
- Once a grant application has been approved, then the applicant must complete their Dark Sky project by November 1, 2026 and submit all necessary documentation including purchase receipts and a photo of the completed project to Village of Westmont Communications; upon fulfilling all grant requirements for the approved project, the Village of Westmont will process and issue the amount of the approved grant to the recipient
- Only one grant, up to $500, will be awarded per calendar year per physical address located in the Village of Westmont
- Grants will not be awarded to any applicant related to a specific physical address who has already received funds from the Village of Westmont for the same project
- Grant applicants may be required to allow in-person inspection of completed projects
lf you have further questions, please contact EIC Staff Liaison Larry Mclntyre at communications@westmont.il.gov or 630-981-6245.
WHY DARK SKY
Dark Sky initiatives are based on the understanding that all life on Earth relies on a circadian rhythm, a daily cycle of light and dark to govern life-sustaining behaviors such as reproduction, nourishment, sleep and protection from predators. Scientific evidence suggests that artificial light at night can have a negative effect on the world’s ecosystems. However, there are a variety of additional reasons to embrace a Dark Sky initiative.
AESTHETICS
One of the easiest to understand benefits of a Dark Sky initiative is aesthetics. Simply put, light pollution prevents people from seeing the natural beauty of our nighttime skies. Dark Sky embraces that idea that people have a right to enjoy the stars in the nighttime sky.
SAFETY
Outdoor lighting is intended to enhance safety and security at night, but too much lighting may actually have the opposite effect. Visibility should always be the goal. Glare from bright, unshielded lights may reduce overall visibility and restrict our ability to see an entire area clearly.
COST
It is estimated that 30% of all nighttime lighting is wasted in the form of having lights that are too bright or overlighting areas unnecessarily by not having proper shielding. This results in citizens wasting billions of dollars while creating millions of tons of unnecessary carbon dioxide to power this extra light output.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
There are three main factors that citizens can address to improve night time lighting aesthetics, environmental impact, safety, and costs – BRIGHTNESS, SHIELDING & COLOR TEMPERATURE. The following criteria must be addressed to be considered for the Dark Sky Grant Program.
BRIGHTNESS
Because LED lights use less energy than incandescent and fluorescent lights, lighting selections are often made that produce a brightness well beyond what is needed. Bright lights do not necessarily translate into improved safety and may cause glare, making it difficult to see the area intended to be lit. To be dark sky compliant, light bulb wattage should not exceed 60W, while 40W bulbs are preferred (LED equivalent wattage of 5W – 9W).
SHIELDING
Dark Sky-compliant fixtures include shielding that focuses light in a downward direction and prevents light from being emitted in an upward direction, or out toward neighboring properties. Shielding also allows for the opportunity to light only intended areas rather than spreading light beyond the intended area.
COLOR TEMPERATURE
Many LED lights shine at a color temperature that negatively affects humans, animals, and pollinators. Blue light (often marked as daylight or cool white) affects our circadian rhythm and can be damaging to the human eye. Dark Sky compliant lights that produce a color temperature of 3000K or less (typically marked as soft-white or warm-white) are ideal for producing the desired effect of providing light while not over-illuminating a specific area.
ADDITIONAL DARK SKY STRATEGIES
Additionally, technologies such as motion sensors, dimmers, and timers allow for outdoor lights to only be used when needed, saving money, benefiting our environment, and preserving citizens’ view of the night sky.
MORE INFORMATION
DarkSky is committed to the idea that a night sky, filled with stars, should be celebrated and protected. DarkSky strives to accomplish this by providing leadership, tools, and resources for individuals, policymakers, and industry. DarkSky strives to reduce light pollution and promote responsible outdoor lighting that is beautiful, healthy, and functional. For more information, visit their website at darksky.org.
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