Village Asks Residents Not To Call 911 About Fireworks Violations

SKOKIE, IL — Village officials asked residents not to call 911 for fireworks complaints, unless there is a life safety or fire threat from displays.

Skokie police plan to increase patrols around the July 4 holiday and will enforce the local ordinance forbidding fireworks, according to village staff.

Under the village ordinance, all fireworks, including sparklers, Roman candles, firecrackers and skyrockets, are illegal.

"If voluntary compliance can't be secured, officers may issue a citation for Unlawful Possession or Discharge of Fireworks," staff announced. "Please, consider using safer alternatives to fireworks, such as glow sticks or colored streamers."

People should still call 911 if someone has been injured by fireworks, if fireworks create a fire risk by landing on a building on a wooded area or when a crowd or the "unruly behavior of those involved poses a threat to others."

Otherwise, fireworks noise complaints should be reported to the Skokie Police Department's non-emergency number at 847-982-5900. Tips can also be sent via text message by sending a message starting with "Skokie" to 226787.

According to the Illinois State Fire Marshal, 34 hospitals and health care facilities in the state reported a total of 108 fireworks-related injuries during the July reporting period, a decrease from the 168 injuries reported in 2022.

"There is no requirement for healthcare providers to report fireworks injuries and we appreciate their efforts," fire marshal's representatives said in the office's annual report.

There were zero fatalities last year, and the number of injuries that involved dismemberment or amputation decreased to 10 from 20 in 2022.

Many pets also find the noise distressing, with statistics showing a spike of more than a third in the number of lost pets around the Fourth of July.

Skokie village staff reminded residents the sounds and lights of fireworks can affect many people, including veterans and others with conditions like PTSD or autism, encouragin geveryone in the town not to use illegal fireworks.

"As a community, it's our responsibility to think about and care for each other, not just ourselves or our friends who are over for a holiday barbecue."