Which states are abolishing daylight saving time? – NBCChicago

When the days get shorter and the nights get longer, it’s time to “fall back.” But not all states observe daylight saving time, and some have passed laws to eliminate it entirely.

Here's what you should know as Daylight Saving Time approaches:

When do we change the clocks?

Under federal law, states that participate in Daylight Saving Time will turn their clocks back at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November, which falls on Nov. 3 this year.

The clocks will then be set forward on the second Sunday in March 2025, which falls on March 9th.

What is Daylight Saving Time?

Daylight saving time is a time change that usually begins in spring and ends in fall. Under the terms of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. On these days the clocks are either moved forward or back by one hour.

Outside daylight saving time, the time is called standard time.

As it stands, Illinois is somewhere between the two. The “spring forward” means the state switches to daylight saving time, and the “fall back” marks the return to standard time.

According to the Time and Date website, standard time is the local time in a country or region that does not observe daylight saving time.

“More than 60% of the world’s countries use standard time year-round,” the website says. “The remaining countries use daylight saving time during the summer months and generally set clocks forward one hour from standard time.”

When does summer time end?

Illinois and several states in the United States are currently observing daylight saving time, which began in the spring. But that will soon come to an end as the clocks are “reset” this season, giving residents that coveted extra hour of sleep.

But when does that happen?

The federal government requires that clocks be set back on the first Sunday in November each year. In 2024 that falls on November 3rd.

Do all states participate in Daylight Saving Time?

Most states participate in the twice-yearly time change, but Arizona and Hawaii do not, having opted out of the practice.

Can states determine their own time?

Under the provisions of the Uniform Time Act, states have the option of either participating in daylight saving time and committing to moving clocks forward and back on designated days, or foregoing it altogether and maintaining standard time year-round.

Under the terms of the law, states cannot elect to maintain daylight saving time permanently.

However, many states have passed laws that would switch them to year-round daylight saving time if Congress changes the Uniform Time Act. According to KGW, Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee all have laws in place that would allow states to observe permanent daylight saving time if Congress allowed them to do so it.

Does Illinois observe daylight saving time?

Yes. Illinois clocks are “set back” in November and “set forward” in March each year.

According to lawmakers, laws have been proposed to keep Illinois on permanent daylight saving time, but none have been passed by the General Assembly.

The same is true in Indiana, where most of the state operates on Eastern Time and northwestern counties Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton and Jasper operate on Central Time.

In Michigan, a referendum was proposed to voters that would have allowed a vote on daylight saving time. However, the referendum was referred to committee and was not passed in time for the 2024 election.