July 4: Illinois 1 of only 3 states that bans fireworks

An outdated state law is meant to prevent injuries, which have significantly decreased, and prevents Illinois from benefiting from an industry worth billions of dollars.

For 250 years, we have celebrated our freedom on Independence Day, yet for the past 84 years Illinoisans have been banned from celebrating with fireworks.

Illinois refuses to allow most fireworks, even though 47 states do. (Some cities in those states don’t permit them.)

Passed in 1942, the Illinois Pyrotechnic Act bans the use, transportation and sale of fireworks, allowing only small novelties such as sparklers. Violating the Illinois law is a Class A misdemeanor, with possible fines up to $2,500 and jail time.
The Illinois sales ban directly benefits neighboring states. Indiana brings in an estimated $2.5 million a year in tax revenue from fireworks.
The Illinois ban seeks to protect people from injury, but as firework sales have increased, the injury rate has significantly decreased.
In 2000, when 152.6 million pounds of fireworks were sold, there were 7.2 injuries for every 100,000 pounds sold, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association. In 2025, sales were more than double, at 322.4 million pounds, while the injury rate was sharply lower, at 3.8 per 100,000 pounds.
With rising popularity, the firework injury rate has decreased, making the 1942 Illinois law oppressive and unnecessary. On a day centered around freedom, Illinoisians should have a right given to citizens of almost all other states.