Illinoisans invade nearby states for fireworks
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[July 02, 2021]
By Kevin Bessler
(The Center Square) – Although most
fireworks are illegal in this state, it is not stopping Illinoisans from
crossing over state lines to load up for the July 4th holiday weekend.
Illinois remains one of the four most restrictive states in the country
on residents’ ability to buy and ignite fireworks this Independence Day.
Along with Ohio and Vermont, Illinois bans the use or purchase of
fireworks other than sparklers and small noisemakers. Massachusetts bans
fireworks completely.
Illinois’ Pyrotechnic Use Act makes the possession, transportation or
use of illegal fireworks a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of
up to $2,500 or a year in prison.
That doesn’t stop Illinoisans from crossing the border in Beloit,
Wisconsin; West Alton, Missouri; Paducah, Kentucky; or Highland, Indiana
to buy fireworks.
George Kanavos manages Big Daddy K’s Fireworks in Highland, Indiana near
the state line. He said he gets a lot of business from Illinois.
“Of course, I got to assume probably 75% of our business is coming over
the border,” Kanavos said.
According to the Tax Foundation, Indiana brings in $2.5 million each
year in tax revenue by imposing a 5% tax on pyrotechnics in addition to
the state's 7% sales tax.
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There have been efforts to loosen Illinois’ fireworks
ban. State Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, has put together proposals
that allocated potential sales tax revenue to local conservation
districts and fire and emergency medical services.
Rose’s staff calculated Illinois fireworks consumers provided
between $10 to $15 million in sales tax revenue to neighboring
states. The legislation did not advance to a committee.
“The Illinois fireworks ban is as much a symbolic issue as it is
anything else, but it is also a real issue of sending tax dollars to
other states,” said Adam Schuster, senior budget and tax research
director with Illinois Policy. “The symbolism of preventing people
from having independence to celebrate their Independence Day the way
they want is a strong indictment of how Illinois politicians view
the people of the state generally.”
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