Nearly All Fireworks Prohibited in Grayslake

Enjoying the Fourth of July fesitivities can be a great time, but if you set off fireworks at home, you are asking for trouble. So says Grayslake officials from the police and fire departments.

The Grayslake Police Department will be enforcing regulations and can issue fines for people who set off illegal fireworks.

"Fireworks are illegal becasue they can damage people and property," said . He said professional fireworks displays are the way to go, like the recent event in . 

"Those fireworks displays are handled by professionals," Formica said. "That eliminates a lot of worries for everyone." 

For people who insist on having their own home fireworks displays, Formica said to be prepared.

"If you are using those sorts of devices, you should expect to have something bad happen," he said. 

What Is Illegal 

Fireworks of any size are not permitted in Illinois, Formica said; any type of firework where someone is putting a match to the device.

"Our stance is just don’t put yourself or your property or your neighbors property at risk," he said.

The following items are prohibited in Illinois:

• Hand held fireworks 

• Bottle rockets

• Firecrackers of any size or type

• Sky rockets

• Roman candles

• Chasers

• Buzz bombs

• Helicopters

• Missiles

• Pin wheels or any other twirling device whether on the ground or mounted above the ground

• Planes

What Is Legal

So what options do you have? 

 • Snake or glow worm pellets

 • Smoke devices

 • Trick noisemakers known as "party poppers," "booby traps," "snappers," "trick matches," "cigarette loads" or "auto burglar alarms"

 • Sparklers

 • Toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns, or other devices in which paper or plastic caps containing twenty-five hundredths grains or less of explosive compound are used, provided they are so constructed that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap when in place for the explosion.

 • Toy pistol paper or plastic caps that contain less than twenty hundredths grains of explosive mixture.

You can find more information about firework regulations through the state law.

Any violations could result in a Class A Misdemeanor which is up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $2,500.

For any questions call the Request for Service System at 847-223-8515.