If you’ve ever wondered whether Illinois skips Daylight Saving Time (DST), you’re not alone. With growing debates nationwide about whether to keep changing the clocks twice a year, many people assume Illinois might be one of the few states that opted out.
But here’s the simple truth: Illinois does observe Daylight Saving Time.
However, the confusion often comes from neighboring states and frequent proposals in the Illinois legislature to end the practice—which so far, haven’t passed.
So what’s going on? Let’s break it down—and talk about the one U.S. state that truly doesn’t follow DST at all.
Does Illinois Do Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, Illinois currently observes Daylight Saving Time. Clocks spring forward in March and fall back in November, just like most other states.
That said, Illinois has flirted with the idea of ending DST several times. Lawmakers have proposed bills to stop the clock changes—usually suggesting the state stay on Daylight Saving Time permanently (keeping later sunsets all year).
So far, none of those bills have become law. But the debate keeps coming up, especially as more states push to lock in one time year-round.
Which State Doesn’t Do Daylight Saving Time?
Arizona is the best-known state that does not observe Daylight Saving Time (except for the Navajo Nation, which does follow DST). Arizona chose to stay on Standard Time year-round, largely due to its hot climate—extra daylight in the evening would just mean more time in the heat.
Hawaii also doesn’t do DST. Since it’s closer to the equator, daylight hours don’t shift much throughout the year, making DST pretty pointless for them.
So if you’re thinking of a state that actually doesn’t observe DST, the correct answers are:
Arizona (most of it)
Hawaii
Why the Confusion About Illinois?
There are a few reasons why people mistakenly believe Illinois doesn’t observe DST:
Frequent headlines about proposed legislation to end DST
Social media rumors during clock-change season
Wishful thinking from people tired of switching their clocks twice a year
Also, since more than 30 states have introduced or passed legislation to make DST permanent, people often assume changes are happening faster than they actually are. But federal law currently prevents states from adopting permanent Daylight Saving Time without approval from Congress.
The National DST Debate
Across the country, momentum is building to either eliminate Daylight Saving Time entirely or make it permanent. States like Florida, Tennessee, and Oregon have passed laws calling for year-round DST, but they’re stuck waiting for federal approval.
Until Congress changes the law, all states (except Arizona and Hawaii) are still required to follow the current schedule—spring forward in March, fall back in November.
Despite the rumors and repeated legislative attempts, Illinois still observes Daylight Saving Time just like most of the U.S. The idea of ending it remains popular, but until there’s a federal change, the clocks in Illinois will keep shifting twice a year. If you’re looking for a state that really skips the whole DST thing, Arizona and Hawaii are your only bets.
SOURCES
[1] https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/us-states-scrap-daylight-savings-time-change/
[2] https://economictimes.com/news/international/us/when-daylight-saving-time-2025-fall-back-date-end-states-observe-what-reason-us-states-territories-do-not-follow-how-to-prepare/articleshow/123099184.cms
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time_in_the_United_States
[4] https://ddnews.gov.in/en/why-does-trump-want-to-end-us-daylight-saving-time/
[5] https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/usa
