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 Americans will celebrate Independence Day with parades down
Main Street before barbecue and fireworks in their own backyards – except in
Illinois and three other states.
Illinois is one of just four states that ban residents from using or purchasing
fireworks other than novelty items such as sparklers, small noisemakers and
smoke bombs.
Firework users in the Land of Lincoln can expect hefty penalties if caught.
Possession, transportation, or use of illegal fireworks is a class A misdemeanor
with fines up to $2,500 or 1 year in prison, although law enforcement often
ignores violators unless they really annoy the neighbors.
Massachusetts, Vermont and Ohio are the only other states that
impose severe pyrotechnic restrictions. Ohioans are allowed to purchase
fireworks but may not light them off. Massachusetts residents may not use any
pyrotechnic device, including sparkers.
It all started in 1942 when state Rep. William G. Thon, R-Chicago, drafted a
bill to ban the use of fireworks in Illinois. By this point, fireworks were
already illegal in Chicago. When Thon died 40 years later, the fireworks ban was
listed as his most notable achievement.
Thanks to this nearly 80-year-old law, Illinois is losing out on business and
tax dollars. Residents who drive to neighboring states know some of the first
businesses they pass are fireworks retailers. Illinoisans flock to these stores
to stock up for Independence Day celebrations. Drive through any Illinois
neighborhood around July 4 to quickly see and hear how little regard residents
have for the fireworks law.
Iowa was the first state to ban fireworks in 1938, but it recently legalized
them again, along with New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Ohio last year considered
repealing its ban. Driving across state lines to purchase fireworks is an easy
option for many Illinois residents.
Indiana brings in $2.5 million each year in tax revenues from firework sales.
Illinois is watching tax dollars and summer jobs leave the state because of
strict firework laws.
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On July 2, Rep. Allen
Skillicorn, R-East Dundee, filed House Bill 3852, which would amend
the state’s Firework Regulation Act by legalizing firecrackers, sky
rockets and Roman candles.
Earlier this year, state Rep. Dave Severin, R-Marion, also attempted
to legalize fireworks in Illinois. House Bill 2481 would repeal the
Pyrotechnic Use Act, which took away Independence Day fun for
Illinoisans. Severin’s proposal would allow consumer fireworks to be
purchased and used in the state, while display fireworks could be
sold with a permit. Appropriate uses and permits would be determined
by state and local fire marshals. The bill has remained in the Rules
Committee since March, however.
Opponents of firework legalization cite safety concerns and severe
injuries that can be caused by large commercial grade fireworks.
However, a 2017 report from the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission says
“there is not a statistically significant trend in estimated
emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries from 2002
to 2017.”
The report also said there were over 12,000 fireworks-related
injuries in 2017, which was less than the number of injuries
resulting from tipped furniture and children’s toys. Illinois had
349 individuals injured by fireworks. Plus, the nation’s leading
cause of fireworks injuries is from one of the few devices Illinois
allows: sparklers.
Illinois leaders certainly want every tax dollar they can get and
more summer jobs would be great, but the most important reason to
stop playing nanny is to allow people the freedom to decide for
themselves, especially on Independence Day, whether they want to see
the rocket’s red glare. As a state, Illinois was the first to ratify
the 13th Amendment. And just this year, Gov. J.B. Pritzker gave
residents the freedom to choose whether to gamble or to smoke
marijuana.
When it comes to celebrating freedom on Independence Day, Illinois
has its limits.
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