A press release from State Rep. Barb Wheeler:
Wheeler Files Bill to End Arbitrary Fireworks Ban
CRYSTAL LAKE – Today, on the eve of Independence Day, State Representative Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) has filed legislation to allow Illinoisans to celebrate the occasion with the time honored tradition of fireworks without the risk of fine or arrest.
Illinois is one of only four states does not allow for the consumer purchase and use of fireworks and Wheeler’s legislation would give that independence back to residents.
“Illinois is already an outlier in so many ways, and this another silly example,” said Wheeler.
Barb Wheeler
“Illinoisans, like residents in 46 other states, can and should be trusted to responsibly use consumer fireworks and take care of themselves.
“Not only does it make sense to give a little independence back to the people for Independence Day, but it will also generate some business and tax revenue for the state that will help mitigate some of the exodus of people leaving the state.”
Wheeler’s legislation, House Bill 5928, creates the Pyrotechnic Use Act of 2018.
The bill, modeled on best practices utilized in other states, sets rules for the licensing, sale and purchase of consumer grade fireworks beyond the extreme limit of only items like sparkles, which is current Illinois law.
As there are safety concerns associated with the use of fireworks, Wheeler recommends anyone wishing to use fireworks follow the #CelebrateSafely guidelines provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
* Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
* Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
* Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
* Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
* Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
* Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
* Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
* Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
* Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
* After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
* Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
For more information about HB 5928, press here.
This is so way overdue.
Thanks to Barb for lifting the heavy heal of the ‘Nanny State’.
Fireworks should only be used in displays managed by professional fireworks personnel. Why are some persons, guys(?), so thrilled to set off fireworks blasts and booms? Are they in some way deranged?
Thanks Barb…this is way overdue…now we can clelbrate The 4th the way we used to….with real American non whimpy thinking and action
Note to the grammar police…..I know celebrate is spelled wrong
Mrs. Wheeler – we agree!
Just not sure that anyone who chooses to live in Illinois is intelligent enough to handle fireworks.
Been sitting in my living room listening to the offensive loud bangs from 830pm until 1230am.
My dogs are suffering through it, as well.
ANY constant noise is intolerable after about 1/2hr let alone the sound of bombs going off for hours.
How impressive it is to set off expensive, offensive, loud, noxious, dangerous bombs for hours on end?
Please, by all means, let’s make it easier.
Don’t forget to observe the mile long list of “safety” suggestions.
“Honored tradition”?
Makes about as much sense as shooting guns in the air on New Year’s Eve.
I’m sure that’s someone’s “honored tradition”, too.
Absurd!
With all the issues we have in Illinois, THIS is what she chooses to focus on?
No wonder we can’t get anything meaningful accomplished in Springfield!!!
Con-on-the-Cob: Exactly!
This is what we’re paying her for? Bigger fish to fry…… PLUS, anyone who wants fireworks (legal or illegal) is going to get them regardless of whatever laws are on the books.
You all make the point that this is a good bill wheeler proposed.
Illinoisans are buying fireworks by the tons from other states and not profiting in any way, paid labor, tent rental, distributors, taxes.
Ms. Wheeler should be focusing on illegal aliens, not illegal fireworks.
More feel good silliness from the political class while Illinois is imploding under
the weight of it’s debt.
Now back to the Twilight Zone marathon on 338.
From the sound of my neighborhood, the American spirit against oppressive government is alive and well.
So what’s the point in expending time, effort and tax money on this?
Really – let’s have more fireworks?
Estimated 80% of people don’t want more fireworks for so many reasons.
More money for the state, but medical and property insurance costs will rise for all consumers to pay for the injuries and fires.
Hurts veterans with PTSD.
Bad for pets, And the last 2 terrorist bombings used fireworks.
Stupid move by lame duck representative.
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Andrew Gasser
9 hrs
To my neighbor in Fox River Grove who enjoys firing off fireworks that make a 155mm Howitzer proud – please remember some of us really don’t enjoy that kind of thing.
No I am not calling the cops – I know enough people “watch me”.
There are a lot of us who sincerely love our country but really do not care for your heavy artillery.
We are blessed and I am glad you are celebrating the best country in the world. We are Americans, We are blessed, but we do not need a Howitzer in Fox River Grove.
Be Blessed,
Andrew Gasser
Nob. What was going off in my neighborhood was not fireworks.
You continue to twist my comments regularly.
We all love Roman candles, black cats, bottle rockets, etc. However when car alarms go off, your windows rattle, and I feel like I just called in a 500 pound JDAM “Danger Close” it’s over the top.
Someone said there was a permit for this – I’m looking forward to seeing it.
I guess she doesn’t mind the body count that comes along with the use of dangerous fireworks.
It would be nice if people and parents were really careful and responsible, but any ER doctor sees the havoc caused by stupidity.
I was at a fireworks event a few years ago.
Nearby was a couple of young parents with toddlers.
They lit sparklers and stuck them in the ground and then did not pay much attention to their kids.
Entranced by the bright light, one of their kids crawled over to the sparkler and then reached out and grabbed the light.
M80s and the like are small sticks of dynamite and are capable of doing serious damage to a hand or face, creating lifelong disabling injuries. Having a policy to let anybody buy anything they want to “celebrate” is a really dumb idea.
Barbara Wheeler’s bill deals with consumer fireworks.
M80s and their larger cousins are considered explosives by the feds, and you have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get them legally.
Most of the M80s that people shoot off on the 4th are made in somebody’s basement.
“…should be trusted to responsibly use consumer fireworks and take care of themselves.”
How about we replace consumer fireworks with marijuana?
GOP and their farcical rhetoric about individual liberty is laughable.
Donald Trump recently stated that he’d likely support legalizing marijuana at the federal level.
Never should have been outlawed in the first place.
The best thing to do in Springfield is start repealing from the top.
You can’t swim in a lake except during certain hours of certain days in specific areas when a 16 year old “lifeguard” is watching.
You can’t scuba dive much of anywhere.
You can’t walk, ride, run, or otherwise be on bike paths or running paths after dark.
You can’t grow weed for your own use.
But you have the freedom to ride a motorcycle modified to be as loud as possible, and now you’ll be able to simulate sounds of explosions and gunfire in your back yard.
I love the choices government makes for us, so we don’t have to think on our own.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, you live in a nanny state. There is no freedom and nothing to celebrate on the fourth of July. Asking permission from the governance and “getting a permit or license” for anything and everything under the sun is NOT freedom. Wake up!
Do the guys who have to make noise with fireworks get kind of an orgasm with every explosion they set off?
Honest Abe right as rain.
Never trust a Salvi!
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