AS BURN PREVENTION WEEK KICKS OFF SUNDAY…FIRE SAFETY ADVOCATES SAYS ONE OF THEIR BIG CONCERNS IS A PROPOSAL TO LEGALIZE CONSUMER FIREWORKS IN ILLINOIS.
CURRENTLY…ONLY NOVELTY FIREWORKS LIKE SPARKLERS ARE LEGAL IN ILLINOIS. BUT SOME ARE PUSHING TO CHANGE THAT. ILLINOIS FIRE SERVICES ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT STEVE IOVINELLI (ivan-nelly) SAYS THEY HAVE SEVERAL CONCERNS INCLUDING THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY…AND THE THREAT OF CRIMINALS USING POWERFUL FIREWORKS. HE SAYS THAT WAS THE CASE IN NEW YORK IN 2010 WHEN A THREAT WAS DISCOVERED IN TIMES SQUARE…AND IN THE BOSTON MARATHON BOMBINGS.
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PROPONENTS OF LETTING PEOPLE BUY HIGHER GRADE FIREWORKS SAYS THOSE THAT ENJOY SETTING THEM OFF ARE TRAVELING TO OTHER STATES AND BRINGING THEM BACK HERE, COSTING ILLINOIS A LOSS IN VALUABLE SALES TAX REVENUE.