Fireworks ban a boon for neighboring states, restricts Illinoisans

Fireworks are a staple in America’s celebration of its Independence Day. But good luck buying any in Illinois. For yet another year, the Land of Lincoln is one of only eight states in the country that doesn’t allow the purchase of consumer fireworks. Illinois’ Pyrotechnic Use Act bans the sale, possession and use of those...

Fireworks are a staple in America’s celebration of its Independence Day. But good luck buying any in Illinois. For yet another year, the Land of Lincoln is one of only eight states in the country that doesn’t allow the purchase of consumer fireworks.

Illinois’ Pyrotechnic Use Act bans the sale, possession and use of those “consumer fireworks,” which include Independence Day classics like bottle rockets, roman candles and firecrackers.

The lack of enforcement of the law, which carries a punishment of up to one year in prison and a $2,500 fine, is laughable. Illinois’ neighborhoods will be filled with the same rockets and red glare as towns across the country.

What aren’t so laughable are the parking lots of fireworks stores in Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana that are filled with Illinois license plates. The money Illinoisans spend there could be used to create jobs and raise tax revenues in our state, which is currently dead last in the country on private-sector job creation in 2014.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Indiana has gained about $2.5 million in tax revenue every year since it loosened fireworks laws and leveed a 5 percent fee on sales in 2006. And it’s not alone. Arizona, Rhode Island, Kentucky and Maine have all lifted restrictions on the sale of fireworks since 2008. Nationwide, consumer fireworks sales totaled $662 million in 2013.

Joining Illinois as states that only allow sparklers and other novelty items, or ban fireworks altogether, are: Iowa, Ohio, Vermont, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

Lawmakers can and should end this paternalistic regulation that not only limits Illinoisans’ personal freedom, but also fair access to the fruits of a huge industry.