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For over 80 years now, Illinois’ Pyrotechnic Use Act prohibits
residents from buying and using fireworks, unless they are
novelty fireworks such as smoke bombs or sparklers. Violating
the law could mean a fine of up to $2,500.
Illinois is one of only three states that bans some or all
fireworks, joining Massachusetts and Vermont. As a result,
fireworks stands in Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa and Indiana see a
lot of their business coming from Illinois.
Chris Brunson with Mark’s Fireworks in Evansville, Indiana, with
locations all over the state, said they see a steady stream of
Illinois license plates in the parking lot.
“We do, we have a location in Vincennes that gets Illinois
business, but we have plenty of locations in Indiana that get
traffic from Illinois,” Brunson said.
Sherry Cheesewright, who owns Sherry's Fireworks in Clinton,
Indiana, said she gets visitors from all over Illinois.
“I bring them in from Charleston, Decatur, Champaign, so once
they find me, they tend to come back here,” Cheesewright said.
There was legislation in the Illinois General Assembly this
spring to allow ground sparklers for people 18 and older, but
after testimony about the dangers of the items was offered, the
measure failed in committee.
Although the usage of fireworks has increased significantly over
the past three years around the country, injuries are on the
decline. An analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute found that
injuries decreased by about a third in 2022 compared to 2020
despite a massive increase in fireworks sales.
Critics of the ban say the state is missing out on tax dollars
from money being spent in neighboring states.
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