Just shy of 250 years ago, Founding Father John Adams understood the weight of the moment when we as a nation declared our independence from British rule, as well as the importance of celebrating that moment to help unify a new American people.
He wrote to his wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776, that the day would be the most memorable in American history. He said the day of deliverance should be celebrated by succeeding generations.
“It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more,” he wrote her.
Too bad Illinoisans will not join in the illuminations at home for our nation’s semiquincentennial — at least not legally. That’s because Illinois state law bans residents from using or even transporting most consumer fireworks. Leaders in Illinois, Massachusetts and Vermont don’t trust their residents to act responsibly enough to fulfill Adams’ rallying cry.
Our nation’s independent streak is the defining element of our national character. We celebrate the cowboy and the explorer and still fly “Don’t Tread on Me” flags.
So, the fact that the Illinois fireworks ban is roundly ignored by Illinoisans is not a surprise to anyone, as the night skies prove on Independence Day. We simply drive across the state line to enrich pop-up stands in Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri and the other Midwestern states.
Northwest Indiana is one of the nation’s hottest fireworks markets thanks to Chicago-area consumers. Hannibal, Missouri, claims the nation’s largest fireworks stand — about the size of a Walmart Supercenter.
Both are a short ride over the Illinois border. Both are getting rich from Illinoisans ignoring the state ban. Both have giddy politicians collecting lots of tax from outsiders.
Consumer fireworks consumption in the U.S. hit nearly 300 million pounds, worth $2.2 billion, in 2024 and is expected to “boom” for the 250th Independence Day. This year, the holiday falls on a Saturday, which also traditionally spikes consumption.
So, here’s a suggestion for the Illinois General Assembly, which will wrap up its current session well before we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday this July Fourth. Let’s stop making Illinoisans criminals twice over — once when they go get fireworks and then again when they shoot them off — just because they want to celebrate their independence as Adams envisioned. Let’s keep Illinois fireworks dollars in Illinois.
It’s time to repeal the Illinois Pyrotechnic Use Act of 1942.
Illinois since 1942 has banned most consumer fireworks such as Roman candles, firecrackers and bottle rockets out of concern for people’s safety. The act does allow novelty items such as sparklers, which are sticks of magnesium burning at up to 3,000 degrees.
So why didn’t state lawmakers ban sparklers, which in 2024 caused 1,700 emergency room visits nationwide? Maybe because a little perspective shows there is relatively little risk to fireworks compared with the joy of personal pyrotechnics and the economic bump their use can bring.
Of 12.7 million emergency room visits in the U.S. related to consumer products in 2023, fireworks accounted for fewer than 10,000. Barbecuing caused double that and baseball and softball games 14 times as many. No politicians are trying to ban grilling or America’s pastime.
Illinoisans deserve to decide for themselves whether they want to shoot off displays in their backyards or head to municipal displays to express their patriotism. Freedom of choice is valued in 47 other states, so why not here?
Illinois leaders should not play King George and restrict our people on the very day we are celebrating our independence. State lawmakers can lift the ban and enjoy their freedom to tax the newly legal consumer fireworks plus the income from those Illinois stands.
Let’s light the fuse for repeal. Let’s celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday with legal pyrotechnics in Illinois, just as the Founding Fathers prescribed.
Brad Weisenstein is the managing editor of the Illinois Policy Institute.
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