The Chicago Tribune featured the lights and the partnership that created them in March, and a story about the project aired on the Cable News Network and other outlets shortly after that. Lithonia Lighting is currently producing the fixtures for the Chicago Housing Authority. The Buildings Technology Center historically has worked with industries and universities to come up with new designs and technologies for buildings. Several projects are currently ongoing or in the works with universities, including historically black colleges and universities and minority educational institutions. These projects all have the aim of achieving increased energy efficiency.
Efficiency is a result with the Chicago project as well.
A more pronounced benefit, however, is a better, safer and more secure environment for the residents of the public housing facilities. It says in the Bible that The people that walk in darkness have seen a great light, Wendt says. While not biblical in proportion, these lights are already improving the lives of people who were having to live in darkness.