The Village of Hawthorn Woods is designated as an International Dark Sky Community by the International Dark-Sky Association. In 2020, the Village of Hawthorn Woods was the second community in the state of Illinois to receive this prestigious designation. The first was the Village of Homer Glen in 2011.
The International Dark-Sky Association, founded in 1988, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the night sky from the negative effects of artificial light at night. There are twenty-eight International Dark Sky Communities worldwide, the Village of Hawthorn Woods is now proud to be the twenty-ninth.
With the adoption of its new Municipal Lighting Ordinance in September of 2019, the Village takes a comprehensive approach toward reducing light pollution, conserving energy, protecting nocturnal wildlife patterns, and promoting public safety. The Village hopes this Ordinance will serve as a model for all communities within Lake County and will continue to educate and promote the importance of sustainably maintaining our dark sky with the use of appropriate lighting at the right time and in the right amount.
Hawthorn Woods Mayor, Dominick DiMaggio, states, “I am proud to be part of a Village that desires to preserve its rural nature and fights to maintain the natural beauty Hawthorn Woods has to offer.”
The Village plans to conduct safely distanced dark sky activities, including stargazing classes, night photography, movies under the stars, and virtual classes designed to instruct its constituents in identifying the constellations and inform them of upcoming celestial events.
As an International Dark Sky Community, the Village of Hawthorn Woods will continue its commitment to preserving the natural wonder of the night sky for current and future generations.