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FIREWORKS
BAN MAKES OUTLAWS OUT OF ILLINOISANS ON INDEPENDENCE DAY
Illinois Policy Institute/
Patrick Andriesen
For nearly 80 years, Illinoisans have voted
against the state fireworks ban by crossing state lines each July to buy
fireworks, despite threatened penalties. The state is now one of four
nationwide to prohibit celebrating Independence Day with fireworks. |
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 On Independence Day, Americans celebrate the freedoms
guaranteed by countless sacrifices of others with parades through town, backyard
barbecues and shooting off fireworks.
Just listen around July 4, and you know how many Illinoisans
celebrate with backyard fireworks. But Illinois considers them lawbreakers, with
fines up to $2,500 or a year in prison.
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The Land of Lincoln remains one of the four most
restrictive states in the nation on residents’ ability to buy and
use fireworks this Independence Day. Along with Vermont and Ohio,
Illinois bans the use or purchase of fireworks other than novelty
items such as sparklers, small noisemakers and smoke bombs.
Massachusetts bans fireworks completely. |
