Lighting Regulations in Hanna City, Illinois: Understanding the Limited Requirements in a Historic Railroad Town

Introduction: Hanna City's Lighting Approach

Hanna City, Illinois, founded in 1882 and named after William Hanna, president of the Peoria-Farmington Railroad, has a rich history tied to both railroad operations and coal mining. This small community in Peoria County developed around these industries, with coal mining sustaining the local economy for over fifty years.

Unlike many larger municipalities, Hanna City maintains a relatively limited set of formal lighting regulations. This approach reflects the town's rural character and historical roots, allowing the community to preserve its small-town charm while addressing specific lighting concerns in targeted areas.

The regulations that do exist focus primarily on public safety, visibility in commercial establishments, and protecting public infrastructure—priorities that align with Hanna City's values of community well-being and historical preservation.

Quick Reference Guide: Key Lighting Requirements

• Adult Cabarets: Minimum lighting level of 30 lux horizontal measured at 30 inches from floor on ten-foot centers

• Liquor-Serving Establishments: Must maintain clear visibility from street with continuous lighting during business hours

• Adult Entertainment Establishments: No flashing lights, search lights, or spotlights permitted on exterior

• Industrial Uses: Operations producing intense glare must be performed in enclosed buildings with shielded light sources

• Subdivision Requirements: Street lights required at public street intersections; yard lights required in front yards of improved lots

• Light Pole Placement: Light poles may be placed in any yard

Commercial Establishment Lighting Requirements

Adult Entertainment Venue Lighting

Hanna City's code includes specific illumination standards for adult entertainment venues, focusing on interior visibility and exterior appearance:

• Interior Lighting Standard: Sufficient lighting must be equally distributed throughout public areas • Minimum Level: Not less than 30 lux horizontal, measured at 30 inches from the floor • Measurement Pattern: Measured on ten-foot centers • Purpose: Ensures all objects are plainly visible at all times • Exterior Restriction: No flashing lights, search lights, or spotlights permitted on building exterior

Alcoholic Beverage Establishment Lighting

Establishments licensed to sell alcoholic liquor for consumption on premises (except restaurants, hotels, and recreational facility clubs) must adhere to these standards:

• Interior Visibility: No arrangement of lights can prevent a clear view of the entire interior from the street, road, or sidewalk • Continuous Illumination: All rooms where liquor is sold must be continuously lighted during business hours • Light Quality: Must use either natural light or artificial white light • Visibility Standard: All parts of interior premises must be clearly visible

These requirements prioritize safety and transparency, allowing for easy monitoring of commercial spaces.

Public and Subdivision Lighting

Public Infrastructure Protection

The village code specifically protects public lighting infrastructure with these provisions:

• It is unlawful to "cut, break, injure or destroy any public lamp, lamppost or any other property belonging to the village"

• Similarly prohibited is willfully injuring, defacing or destroying street light globes, lamps, poles, guy wires, rope line wires, or any street light appurtenances

Subdivision Development Requirements

When new subdivisions are developed in Hanna City, developers must follow these lighting-related requirements:

• Street Light Installation: Required at each intersection involving public streets • Financial Responsibility: Must be purchased and installed by the subdivider at their expense • Residential Lighting: A yard light is required in the front yard of each improved lot within the subdivision

These provisions ensure consistent illumination at key navigation points and residential properties.

Industrial and Special Use Lighting Regulations

Industrial District Performance Standards

New uses established in the I-1 District must comply with performance standards governing glare and heat:

• Documentation Requirement: Certification from an engineer or scientific testing laboratory must accompany zoning applications • Compliance Verification: Certification must indicate the use either does or will comply with applicable performance standards

Glare Control Requirements

Hanna City's code (§ 154.221) provides specific guidance on managing glare:

• Contained Operations: Any operation producing intense glare or heat must be performed within a completely enclosed building • Boundary Protection: Operations must not create a public nuisance or hazard along lot lines • Shielding Requirement: Exposed light sources must be shielded to prevent nuisance across lot lines • Enforcement: The Building Inspector determines whether glare or heat intensity constitutes a nuisance

Special Use Considerations

When evaluating special use applications, the governing body must consider the "lighting of the premises" as one factor in how the proposed use would affect surrounding land uses.

What Property Owners Should Know

General Placement Guidelines

The code provides flexibility in placement of lighting structures:

• Light Pole Placement: Light poles may be placed in any yard on your property

Understanding Enforcement Mechanisms

Property owners should be aware that lighting compliance is enforced through:

• Building Inspector Authority: The Building Inspector determines if lighting creates a nuisance • Certification Requirements: Industrial uses may require professional certification of lighting compliance • Special Use Review: Lighting impacts are considered during special use permit applications

Residential Subdivision Requirements

If you live in a subdivision developed after these regulations were enacted:

• Front Yard Lighting: Your property likely has a requirement for front yard lighting • Intersection Lighting: Street lights should be present at public street intersections

Supporting Hanna City's Lighting Vision

Bock Lighting, a Northeast Ohio manufacturer with roots dating back to 1918, shares many values with communities like Hanna City that balance practical lighting needs with historical character preservation.

Respecting Rural and Historical Character

As a manufacturing company with over a century of experience, Bock Lighting understands the importance of lighting that complements a community's historical roots. In towns like Hanna City, with its railroad and coal mining heritage, appropriate lighting helps maintain the authentic character that makes the community special.

Community Partnership Approach

Rather than simply providing products, Bock Lighting focuses on being an educational resource and partner for communities navigating lighting regulations. Our team appreciates Hanna City's approach to lighting—one that provides necessary safety and visibility while respecting the town's rural setting and historical foundations.

Regional Expertise

With deep roots in the Midwest, Bock Lighting brings valuable understanding of regional architectural styles and the particular lighting needs of communities transitioning from historical industries to modern economic bases—a journey Hanna City has experienced firsthand.

Conclusion

Hanna City's lighting regulations reflect its practical, targeted approach to municipal governance. Rather than implementing comprehensive lighting codes, the village has focused on specific areas where lighting impacts public safety, commercial operations, and community development.

Property owners should particularly note the protections for public lighting infrastructure, requirements for commercial establishments, and standards for industrial operations that produce glare. Subdivision developers face the most specific requirements, with mandates for street lighting at intersections and yard lighting for residential properties.

By understanding these targeted regulations, residents and business owners can contribute to maintaining Hanna City's distinct character while ensuring appropriate illumination for safety and visibility.