Legalize fireworks in Illinois

by Steve Dunford

Whether growing up as a kid, or even in my adult life, this time of year meant the annual  trip to Reeves Boomland in Charleston, Missouri.

I guarantee if you drove down there today, at least eight out of ten license plates would be from Illinois.  If you would go to a fireworks tent in Cape Girardeau or McBride MO, across from Chester, you would see the same thing.

Here is my reasoning, it is obvious the State of Illinois is beyond broke.  Every Illinois plate at a fireworks stand, results in sales tax revenue that is lost to Missouri   The trip to to Boomland, usually calls for hopping back on Interstate 57, and heading to Lamberts.  That is more tax revenue lost for the state.

I remember when I was a kid, we took a family trip to  Springfield for a couple days.  After touring the capital, there was a fireworks stand within a block.  They were not selling smoke bombs, snakes and sparklers either.  The Black Cat flag flying in front, was an attention getter of two grade school boys.  It was so close, the stand could have been set up in the rotunda.  Yes, fireworks were illegal in Illinois then.

Compliance for this law is minimal.  It is a law that is very tough to enforce.  I admit this pyromaniac has not been a law abiding citizen around this time of year.  Unfortunately, our law enforcement agencies are kept unusually busy on holiday weekends, by  people choosing to misbehave, and in recent history, they are working a wreck somewhere on I-57.  Being on bottle rocket and firecracker patrol  ends up taking a low priority.

I watched out my window last night and there was a good display.  I enjoyed watching them.

Even though they are illegal in Illinois, there will be lots of non-compliance over the next few days.  Please be careful, safe, and use some common sense.  Alcohol and explosives do not mix.  Please do not keep the area Emergency Rooms hopping being foolish.

I realize it does not get totally dark until after 9:00 p.m.  Please be respectful to your neighbors.  Past 11 p.m. is too late to be shooting them off.

We live in the greatest nation in the world.  If you live in this country, you have a high standard of living, compared to those across the globe.   Pause and remember those who paid the cost for our freedoms.  Enjoy the time with your family and friends the next few days, and make it an effort to create some lifelong memories.