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With many of the more popular fireworks not readily available in
Illinois due to the Pyrotechnic Use Act, more than a few
Illinoisans are again proving willing to go the extra-mile to
bring fireworks celebrations to life.
“I would say 80% of our clientele is from Chicago,” Randi Zambo,
manager of family-owned Dynamite Fireworks in Hammond, Indiana
told The Center Square. “Typically, they want the big loud
stuff. They want the items that make a statement. They want the
stuff that goes up, does a nice show in the air. They just want
to put on a nice show and celebrate our country or celebrate to
celebrate.”
Despite fireworks displays being a long-standing tradition
across much of the country, Illinois joins Massachusetts and
Vermont as the only states to ban some or all fireworks with
violations in Illinois coming with fines of up to $2,500.
Justin Bartlett is in Iowa, but the Crossroads store he serves
as managing partner at in Bettendorf gleefully sees much of the
same Illinois traffic this time of year.
“If they come this far, that's pretty motivated,” he said. “So,
they're usually buying quite a bit. They're usually buying more
of our bigger stuff to put together a show. If you're going to
drive a couple of hours to get fireworks, then they're not
coming for just little stuff usually.”
Bartlett insists all the increased business comes without his
store doing much marketing.
With fireworks stands in Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri
all cashing in from Illinois customers, some say the state is
missing out on as much as $15 million in sales tax revenues.
Illinois state Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mohomet, has previously filed
legislation aimed at legalizing fireworks across the state, but
the measure has stalled amid concerns about safety.
Bartlett sees it all as just Illinois being Illinois.
“I think your government is pretty dysfunctional in a lot of
ways,” he said. “I think that's one of them, but I'll leave that
for the people of Illinois to decide what they want their
representatives to do.”
While there are upwards of 120 state licensed fireworks stores
around Illinois, buyers must be trained and permitted by the
state within 15 days of a planned display. Buyers are also
required to undergo a local fire marshal inspection where all
rules and regulations must be satisfied.
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