New Chicago building rules should help save the birds

When at least 19 downtown office buildings began lighting up at night to honor doctors, nurses, grocery clerks and other essential workers during the pandemic, some residents of Chicago are worried that this might present a serious problem for migrating birds. Building lights can disorient birds and lead to their deaths when they fly into hard glass.

Chicago has been a leader in the Lights Out program that encourages building owners to turn off unnecessary lighting during times of bird migration. Environmentalists and the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago have worked closely together to make the program a success.