Crime & Traffic

Illinois has some of the strictest fireworks laws in the country. Most consumer fireworks are illegal to sell, possess, or use in Illinois. However, some novelty items are legal under state law. Local governments may also have stricter rules.

Most consumer fireworks are illegal

The Illinois Pyrotechnic Use Act ("PUA") prohibits the sale, possession, and use of most consumer fireworks, including:

• Firecrackers
• Bottle rockets
• Roman candles
• Mortars
• Aerial shells
• Skyrockets
• Helicopters and missiles
• Ground spinners and pinwheels
• Fountains and other consumer fireworks that are not specifically exempted as novelty items

Violating the Pyrotechnic Use Act may result in a Class A misdemeanor, A lesser crime punishable by a fine or confinement in county jail for up to one year. punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

Which items are legal?

Illinois law allows certain novelty items, which are not considered consumer fireworks. However, local governments may prohibit these items. These include:

• Sparklers
• Snake or glow worm pellets
• Smoke devices
• Party A person or business involved in a court case in a role like plaintiff, petitioner, defendant, respondent, or intervenor. poppers
• Booby traps
• Snappers
• Trick matches
• Cigarette loads
• Auto burglar alarms
• Toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns, and similar devices that use paper or plastic caps containing limited amounts of explosive material

Local governments may have stricter rules

Even if an item is legal under Illinois law, your city, village, or county may prohibit it. For example, Chicago prohibits sparklers. Other communities may have similar ordinances, so check your local laws before buying or using novelty items.

Bringing fireworks into Illinois from another state

Many neighboring states, including Indiana, allow the sale of consumer fireworks that are illegal in Illinois. Buying fireworks legally in another state does not make them legal to possess or use in Illinois. Once you bring prohibited fireworks into Illinois, they are subject to Illinois law, and you could face criminal penalties for possessing them.

Federal law also restricts the interstate transportation of certain prohibited fireworks, such as M-80s and cherry bombs. Depending on the type of fireworks involved, transporting them across state lines may also violate federal law.

Fireworks displays

Illinois law allows certain consumer and public fireworks displays, but they generally require permits and must comply with the Illinois Pyrotechnic Use Act and local ordinances.