Public Works crews already switched out the lamppost bulbs at Eclipse Square from sodium to LED with programmable white, blue, and amber colors in April, said Public Works Director Brian Strike. Public Works and Strike Electric crews will soon be in the process of updating the downtown streetlights from 250-watt sodium high output bulbs (HPS) to the energy-saving LED lights, with one streetlight near the park replaced a couple weeks ago as part of a power test of the new bulbs.
Strike said it was an economical decision to replace the high sodium bulbs that often fail. There’s a long-term cost savings since the LED lights last 3 to 5 times longer, and there’s a 3–5-year payback with maintenance and energy savings. Last year, ComEd replaced all the other streetlights in Prophetstown, with Main Street being the only ones the city had control over.
These lighting upgrades were made possible by $16,000 in TIF District funding approved by the City Council in December 2025, where Strike first discussed the ComEd incentives set to expire in 2026. The cost to replace each light would be $289.25, plus labor, but if they were to complete the project in 2026, the city would pay $124 per fixture with the ComEd incentives. The council approving hiring Strike Electric to replace the electric wiring and lights on Washington Street.
“Switching from 250-watt HPS streetlights to LED lighting isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a long-term financial, environmental, and safety improvement for a city,” said Public Works Director Strike. There are 28 poles total to replace, and he expects the replacement timeline to be around 2-3 weeks, weather permitting, before he added how the upgrades pay off over time:
Major energy savings
LED streetlights typically use 40–70% less electricity than 250W sodium fixtures for the same or better illumination. That directly lowers the city’s utility bills year after year. For a city with thousands of lights, the savings add up quickly into hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars.
Lower maintenance costs
HPS bulbs burn out faster (often needing replacement every 3–5 years), while LEDs can last 10–20 years. That means:
- Fewer truck rolls and labor costs
- Less spending on replacement bulbs and parts
- Reduced disruptions to traffic during maintenance
Better light quality and visibility
LEDs produce white light instead of the orange glow of sodium lamps. This improves:
- Nighttime visibility for drivers and pedestrians
- Color recognition (important for safety and law enforcement)
- Overall perception of safety in neighborhoods
Smart control capabilities
Modern LED systems can be connected to “smart city” networks, allowing:
- Remote dimming during low-traffic hours
- Real-time outage detection
- Adaptive lighting based on weather or activity
That adds another layer of efficiency and reduces unnecessary energy use.
Environmental benefits
Lower energy consumption means reduced greenhouse gas emissions, especially if electricity comes from fossil fuels. LEDs also:
- Contain no mercury (unlike some older lighting technologies)
- Reduce light pollution when properly designed
Long-term budget stability
Even though LEDs cost more upfront, cities usually recover the investment within a few years through energy and maintenance savings. After that, it’s mostly net savings, which can be redirected to other public services.
Increased public safety
Studies often show improved street lighting correlates with:
- Fewer nighttime accidents
- Reduced crime in well-lit areas.
Prophetstown Public Works crews during the switch-out of an LED streetlight at Eclipse Square in April 2026 for a power test.
The glow of the new lampposts at Eclipse Square. 
