Beware: Rockets' red glare illegal

SPRINGFIELD | Dozens of billboards for Northwest Indiana fireworks shops dot the south suburbs in Illinois, where fireworks are for the most part, illegal.

When state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, looks at them, he thinks they ought to say as much.

The Illinois House has approved legislation authored by DeLuca that would require advertisements for fireworks to include a disclaimer telling Illinois residents that the products are illegal without a permit.

House Bill 6252 cleared the House last week by a vote of 79-31 and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.    

The legislation would require a warning that Illinois law prohibits the possession of fireworks without proper permits and that residents should check with local enforcement prior to purchase. 

"If out-of-state businesses advertise the sale of fireworks in our state, these advertisements should be required to include a warning message that makes citizens aware of the fact that it is illegal to possess fireworks in Illinois without proper permits," DeLuca said. 

The bill calls for the disclaimer to appear in the format and type style required for warnings on cigarette advertisements, as required by federal law, and would give the state attorney general and the local state’s attorney authority to issue up to a $1,000 fine per day for violations.

"It is a matter of public safety to notify Illinoisans of products that are illegal but are allowed in our bordering states," DeLuca said. "Plenty of Illinoisans buy fireworks out of state and transport them back home. While we assume people know fireworks are against Illinois law, we ought to be as up front as possible about this prohibition so that unsuspecting consumers don’t find themselves with citations they could have avoided."