The state of Illinois wants communities to use “smart” street lighting, and it’s willing to help local units of government purchase LED technology at low-low prices.

In a press release, the state announced it’s releasing a Request For Purchase “allowing local governments the opportunity to explore the benefits of smart street lighting.”

The idea is to level the playing field for small- and medium-size cities, villages and townships of Illinois.

One example of LED street lighting. (CREDIT: Depositphotos)

“Smart street lighting is another way we are modernizing technology systems in Illinois and improving efficiencies for taxpayers and communities,” Gov. Bruce Rauner said in the news release. “With property taxes in Illinois the highest in the nation, any way for our local municipalities to achieve savings should be explored. LED streets lights have been shown to result in savings of up to 50 percent and offers ease of use and flexibility to municipalities.”

While street lighting is a local government responsibility in the United States, Illinois’ RFP will allow all local governments to leverage this statewide contract and create economies of scale.

LED lighting can improve efficiency and advance innovation for Illinois through energy savings and adaptive controls, the press release said. Smart street lighting enables real time control of lighting levels, based on external factors such as pedestrian activity and traffic patterns. Lights can be adjusted as needed and are able to shift to maximum brightness during times of emergency.

“Illinois is nationally recognized as the first U.S. state to have a vision and roadmap for becoming a smarter state,” said Hardik Bhatt, secretary designate and state CIO of the Department of Innovation and Technology. “The Smart Street Lighting effort will accelerate our efforts by bringing operational efficiency and offering smart technologies to communities, who could otherwise not consider this on their own.”

SOURCE: State of Illinois news release