Illinois could benefit from ending fireworks ban
Personally, I despise the loud, amateur fireworks that injure people, scare pets and create neighborhood litter every Fourth of July.
This year, with the Independence Day holiday falling on a Wednesday, the loud celebrations seemed to last for more than a week in my neighborhood in the Chicago suburbs.
First there were the revelers who got an early jump on festivities by lighting noisemakers the weekend before the holiday. The festivities continued through the eve of the holiday, then on the holiday.
Thunderstorms interrupted some of the pyrotechnics on the Fourth of July. Many suburban towns, including Tinley Park and Orland Park, postponed their official fireworks displays because of weather.
That seemed to give amateurs a license to continue neighborhood displays for days after the holiday, through the following weekend.
It seemed like this year’s celebration lasted 10 days.
I may sound grumpy, but I loathe the noise of illegal fireworks in the densely populated area where I live. I think it shows a lack of respect for neighbors with infants trying to sleep, dogs afraid of loud noises and others bothered by incessant booms.
I’ve lived in the Chicago suburbs my entire life. Amateur neighborhood fireworks displays have been part of Independence Day observances for as long as I can remember.
In my experience, consumer fireworks seem to be getting bigger and louder every year.
From the sheer number of big, loud fireworks detonated by casual users every year, you wouldn’t know they’re illegal in Illinois.
My first reaction to the new proposal by Illinois state Rep. Barbara Wheeler, R-Crystal Lake, to end the state’s ban on the sale of some consumer fireworks was critical.
“No way,” I thought. “The last thing we should do is make it easier to buy fireworks.”
Then I researched Wheeler’s proposal, House Bill 5928 — and I changed my mind.
I reject some of the arguments in favor of legalizing fireworks, including the tax-revenue incentive. I appreciate how neighboring states generate revenue from the sale of pyrotechnics.
It’s convenient for resi- dents to skip over the border to Indiana, which collects $2.5 million annually in tax revenue from fireworks sales, according to the Illinois Policy Institute.
Illinois has a $38.5 billion budget. Taxes on fireworks would be a drop in the bucket. Tax revenue is a consideration, but it should never be the motivation for legalizing anything.
I also reject arguments that Illinois is being a “nanny state” with its ban and that personal freedom should trump safety concerns.
The reality is that people misusing fireworks hurt themselves every year. Fireworks injured a record 349 people in Illinois last year, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Nationwide, eight people were killed and nearly 13,000 hospitalized because of fireworks in 2017.
I think safety should be the No. 1 concern regarding regulation of fireworks. I would support a measure to ease the state’s ban on some fireworks if it promoted responsible use of smaller, less dangerous devices.
Illinois allows sparklers and other small fireworks but is one of only four states that bans bottle rockets, firecrackers, Roman candles and other items.
The 1942 law that prohibits them is unevenly enforced.
I think some users like amateur fireworks because they are illegal. The way I see it, fireworks appeal to a certain segment of the population who like to rebel against authority.
Wheeler’s bill would set a minimum age of 18 to possess fireworks; require they be ignited at least 200 feet from any structure, vehicle or person; and mandate that retailers register with the state fire marshal, the Tribune reported.
I would be more supportive of Wheeler’s legislation if it mandated that a significant share of annual revenue from the legal sale of pyrotechnics be devoted to fireworks safety education.
Wheeler introduced her bill July 3, which means the General Assembly could consider it only during the fall veto session. Legislators might be better off taking more time to study the issue and considering a different bill next year.
I would like potential fireworks-legalization legislation to address neighborhood nuisance concerns and resources for enforcement. I think municipalities should be able to exercise local control and be allowed to maintain complete bans on fireworks if that’s what some communities want.
Perhaps the legislation could mandate that a share of the tax revenue from fireworks sales each year be distributed in the form of grants to communities that wish to use police resources to enforce total bans.
My hope is that statewide legislation would encourage more responsible and respectful use of amateur fireworks. I would be much more tolerant of loud noises in my neighborhood if they happened on one or two nights instead of 10.
I like how Wheeler seems to have triggered a discussion about the issue since introducing her bill.
I hate neighborhood fireworks. But our current law isn’t working. I encourage discussion of the topic so lawmakers can hear from constituents and try to address some of the valid concerns about safety, tax revenue lost to neighboring states and nuisance complaints due to lack of enforcement.