Fireworks laws and safety in Chicago

Lots of people like to celebrate U.S. independence with fireworks. But for residents of Chicago and the rest of Illinois, that sort of explosive patriotism is against the law. According to state and city legislation, only smoke bombs, party poppers and other novelty items that contain very low levels of or no explosive material are available to the general public. The city also forbids sparklers in the name of public safety, according to Chicago Police Department Commander Eugene Roy.

Fireworks can go off unintentionally from heat, friction or a stray spark, Roy said. They can cause severe burns and other injuries, which is why the law leaves them up to the professionals. The Illinois Fireworks Use Act states that only licensed pyrotechnic operators who obtain permits can put on public fireworks displays.

If you’re not a professional and decide to put on a show anyway, the consequences could be costly. Anyone caught with illegal fireworks in Chicago faces a fine of $200 to $500. Additionally, possessing a firework with more than one-fourth of an ounce of an explosive mixture in it qualifies as a felony, Roy said. Getting caught with less explosive fireworks can count as a misdemeanor.

So, to make sure your Fourth of July festivities don’t land you in jail, here’s a chart to help you figure out whether it’s ok to use a firework or novelty item in Chicago:

For people who shirk fireworks laws, the consequences can include not only fines and felony charges but hospital visits. From June 23 to July 20, 2010, state hospitals treated 135 people for fireworks-related injuries, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal reports. Firecrackers were the most common culprit, and 45 percent of the injuries were burns.

To find out more about the potential dangers of fireworks, check out the 2010 Summary of Fireworks Injuries in Illinois and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission 2010 Fireworks Annual Report.

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal recommends that the state’s residents stay safe by attending professional displays if they want to see fireworks, according to keepcool.illinois.gov.