Illinois: Are fireworks legal?
Illinois bans consumer fireworks except sparklers and novelties, unless an adult gets a local consumer display permit and completes approved training.
State law makes it unlawful to possess, sell or use consumer fireworks. Sparklers, snakes, smoke devices, party poppers and caps are excluded from the definition and may be used at any time. Cities, villages and counties may grant permits for 'consumer displays' to an adult who has completed a consumer fireworks training class approved by the State Fire Marshal, after a fire chief inspects the site. Without that permit, even fountains and firecrackers are illegal.
Conditions
- Sparklers and listed novelties allowed without a permit
- Other consumer fireworks only with a local consumer display permit
- Permit holder must be an adult with State Fire Marshal-approved training
- Fire chief inspects the display site before a permit is issued
What the law says
Except as hereinafter provided it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, co-partnership, or corporation to knowingly possess, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any display fireworks, flame effects, or consumer fireworks; provided that city councils in cities, the president and board of trustees in villages and incorporated towns, and outside the corporate limits of cities, villages and incorporated towns, the county board, shall have power to adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the granting of permits for pyrotechnic and consumer displays.
Sources
- 425 ILCS 35/2 (possession, sale, and use of fireworks), FindLaw Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
- 425 ILCS 35/1 (definitions), FindLaw Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
- 425 ILCS 35/2.2 (consumer displays), FindLaw Mirror of official text · codes.findlaw.com
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal
- Phone
- (217) 785-0969
- Website
- sfm.illinois.gov
How bordering states compare
- Indiana Aerial fireworks allowedIndiana allows adults to buy and use consumer fireworks, including aerial devices and firecrackers, on their own or permitted property.
- Iowa Aerial fireworks allowedIowa allows adults 18 and older to buy and use consumer fireworks, including aerial ones, during set summer and winter periods.
- Kentucky Aerial fireworks allowedKentucky allows adults 18 and older to buy and use consumer fireworks, including aerial devices and firecrackers.
- Missouri Aerial fireworks allowedMissouri allows consumer fireworks, including aerial devices, with seasonal sales around July 4 and New Year's.
- Wisconsin Sparklers and ground fireworks onlyWisconsin allows sparklers, fountains and similar ground items, but anything that explodes or flies requires a local user's permit.