Illinois State Reps. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) and Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) both sponsored legislation to expand fireworks sales in Illinois.
"This is actually just a very small expansion to essentially allow for what's called ground sparklers," Sosnowski said."We're losing out on tax revenue. We're losing out on sales. People are buying them anyways. If used properly, they're safe."
Margaret Vaughn, government affairs director for both the Illinois Firefighters Association and Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, is fighting to drench the proposed legislation and keep Illinois strict on fireworks.Vaughn said the legislation is backed by an out-of-state fireworks company. "People think it's just a little sparkler that you just … holding in your hand, you would put in the ground, but that's not the case," she said."I get where they're coming from, but again we are seeing these products in Illinois time and time again," he said.
This bill is still making its way through Springfield. It's unclear how much money Illinois would bring in if fireworks were legally sold, but sponsors of the legislation anticipate millions of dollars going to the state.
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