Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania’s Columns
  • Advertise
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • Midnight Flight Book
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • The Arab street Podcast
  • Submit a Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • Republican conservatives Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman, Committeewoman of Orland Township, and Steve Balich, Committeeman of Homer Township, welcomed attendees at a GOP rally Friday May 20, 2022 in Orland Township
    Conservative Republican candidates rally in Orland Township Cook County
  • Chicago Wolves own Game 1 against Milwaukee Admirals Chicago
  • Congressman Sean Casten
    Casten Introduces bill to Help Communities Facing Flood Damage   Cook County
  • Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement. Photo courtesy of Berry M. Goldwater Jr.
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of Republican conservative icon, to keynote Gorman rally Friday Blogger
  • ormer City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Arab Democratic Club forum hosts candidates for public office at brunch May 15 censorship
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair Business
  • Liz Gorman hosts Forum for Republican Candidates May 20. Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement, will be a keynote speaker
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former GOP Presidential icon, headlines Gorman Republican Forum breaking news
  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort).
    Illinois Secretary of State’s race is a mess Blogger
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
    Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown Business
  • Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in John and Chloe Clayborn’s Lincoln Park living room — one “go bag” for each of them.
    Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters Features
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Dad gains sole custody to protect son from reported abuse Chicago
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
    Governor Pritzker joins Secretary Pete Buttigieg for ribbon cutting at Joliet Gateway Center’s new Pace bus facility Government
  • A Roe vs Wade support placard
    Casten and Newman vow to find to defend Roe vs Wade federal ruling Health
  • David Shestokas, Republican candidate for Illinois AttorneyGeneral in the June 28, 2022 GOP primary election
    Shestokas adds law and order professionals to his campaign for Illinois Attorney General elections
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania
    The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police Blogger
Various bottle rocket fireworks (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Illinois should loosen up its restrictions on fireworks

Posted on June 29, 2017November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Illinois should loosen up its restrictions on fireworks
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Illinois should loosen up its restrictions on fireworks

I boiled eggs the other day on the stove, and when I was done, I was smart enough not to put my hand on the grill cover where the eggs were boiled. So, I didn’t get hurt. Why is lighting a sparkler or a few bottle rockets, or small firecrackers any more dangerous? We don’t pass laws preventing people from using their stoves. Why should we have laws imposing commonsense on some of the less dangerous fireworks and deny ourselves some 4th of July fun in Illinois?

By Ray Hanania

Ray HananiaLast year, 15 people lost limbs using illegal fireworks in Illinois, up from six the year before mostly from the use of more powerful fireworks like M-80s, “Cherry bombs” and “hammer bombs.

Many people were injured form mishandling sparklers, touching the white-hot wire left after the sparkler magnesium burns down.

The irony in all this is that all explosive fireworks and rocket-type fireworks are banned by law in Illinois.

Like anything, people are going to use them regardless of what the law says. No matter what the law says, people will get hurt.

Various bottle rocket fireworks (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Various bottle rocket fireworks (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s the same with anything, including drugs. Alcohol is a drug just like heroin. Too much of either will kill you, and even result in injury to others. Yet, we only ban one, not the other.

Why? Because the bottom line comes down to one simple principle, there are people who act responsibly, and people who don’t act responsibly.

But should those who are responsible continue to be hostage to the irresponsible?

It’s a lot like the issue of gun ownership. Some people are criminals and will do whatever they are going to do no matter what the laws are. Others are just irresponsible, and do stupid things like misuse guns, drugs and even fireworks.

I’m not advocating that we loosen our laws on guns. But I do believe that we can carry this policy of trying to impose responsibility on people through legislation a little too far, especially when dealing with things like fireworks.

Fireworks Confiscated by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. Photo Courtesy of the Cook County Sheriff
Fireworks Confiscated by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. Photo Courtesy of the Cook County Sheriff

I used fireworks when I was a kid. I’d drive my bike from Pill Hill down Torrence Avenue to Brainard into Indiana border to the first retailer across the border. Black Cat firecrackers, and a few cherry bombs and hammer bombs, too. I bought the small bottle rockets and the big bottle rockets.

My dad told me not to use them, but I did behind his back.

The point is, you can’t prevent people from doing something that they want to do. And when the risk is to themselves, should government be in the business of telling us what to do and not do, like government is my father?

Indiana still sells fireworks. Anyone driving on I-80 between Illinois and Indiana knows that. And so do Indiana firework retailers like Krazy Kaplans, which buys big billboards that face Illinois when you are driving into Indiana. You don’t have to be a genius to know where the big market is.

And you don’t have to be a government official to define what is good and bad for the public when it comes to some choices.

Used responsibly, smaller fireworks like firecrackers and bottle rockets and even some of the more elaborate Roman Candles and sparkler spinners can be fun for families.

I think we need to change the laws to allow the sale of these fireworks. There is absolutely no more logic in banning fireworks than in not banning alcohol.

You can’t legislate responsibility, commonsense or doing the right thing. All government should do is get professionals to recommend procedures and proper rules of usage to minimize accidents and reduce the incidents of injury.

No matter what laws we pass or how tough and restrictive they are, people will break them and injuries will also occur.

What we can do is be responsible, use commonsense and allow people to enjoy themselves. There are always going to be risks. Government and laws can’t protect everything. You have to have respect for the ability of people to make their own decisions and make their own choices. You can’t force people to live the way you want them to live.

I think if people want to use some fireworks to celebrate our Democracy and our American lifestyle this 4th of July, they should be able to do it without having government tell them what’s right and what’s wrong.

But if we can’t ease up on some fireworks, to allow people to celebrate our independence, then why stop at drugs, guns and prostitution. Let’s ban everything.

(Ray Hanania is an award winning columnist and author. Reach him at rghanania@gmail.com.)

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Conservative Republican candidates rally in Orland Township - May 22, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves own Game 1 against Milwaukee Admirals - May 21, 2022
  • Casten Introduces bill to Help Communities Facing Flood Damage   - May 19, 2022
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Entertainment, Opinion, rayhanania Tags:4th of July, bottle rockets, fireworks, Illinois, Indiana, Krazy Kaplan's fireworks, legislating commonsense, legislation, sparklers

Post navigation

Previous Post: ComEd brings energy efficiency to Illinois Consumers
Next Post: Media plays fast and loose with healthcare facts

Related Posts

  • “Hate Night” TV will re-elect Trump Blogger
  • Why I support Toni Preckwinkle for Chicago Mayor Blogger
  • Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Christmas holidays shoved down our throats Blogger
  • Layalina_3 (from Left) Layla B Ahmanziari (Script Assistant), Gloria Imseih Petrelli (Young Layal / Marwa), Arash Fakhrabadi (Sahir / Amin) and Louis Sallan (Yasir / Mazin). Photo courtesy of Goodman Theater
    Goodman Theater begins rehearsals for Nightwatch and Layalina Books & Films
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania
    The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police Blogger
  • Image from the March 16, 2020 Village of Orland Park board meeting.
    Look who’s “grandstanding” now in Orland Park Blogger

More Related Articles

Unnecessary Farce, theatrical performance, poster “Unnecessary Farce” to bring laughter to Cicero audiences Books & Films
Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Mike Madigan does get to select his successor Blogger
Three sisters on the left and Elephant Butte on the right in Monument Valley. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Road Trip: Monument Valley offers amazing panoramic views Blogger
Author Aaron Hanania Orland Park High school junior publishes SciFi novel Books & Films
SRA Dave Orth (L) and SRA Clarence Tolliver (R), members of the 60th Security Police Squadron's Base Swat Team, Travis Air Force Base wearing black uniforms stand with M-9 pistols ready behind covering foliage. They are participating in a simulated hostage (Released to Public) (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Anti-gun protestors are missing the real target Blogger
DNAInfo.com shuts its doors this week Blogger

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement. Photo courtesy of Berry M. Goldwater Jr.
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of Republican conservative icon, to keynote Gorman rally Friday
    May 18, 2022
  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort).
    Illinois Secretary of State’s race is a mess
    May 8, 2022
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania
    The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police
    May 3, 2022
  • Pekau Sign place along curb.
    Crime is down for everyone but Pekau, he claims
    April 29, 2022
  • Chicagos first minority and Woman Mayor Jane M. Byrne is often ignored by the mainstream media. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Remembering Great Chicago Mayors, not just one
    April 23, 2022
  • Gas station image gasoline pump. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Governor and legislature turn public need into campaign greed
    April 16, 2022

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort). Illinois Secretary of Sta... Illinois Secretary of State's race is a mess Most elections are pretty muc... posted on May 8, 2022
  • Suspect Joseph Guzman, 20, charged in two separate homicides that took the lives of three people. April 28, 2022. Mugshot courtesy of the Cicero Police Cicero Police and Illinoi... Cicero Police and Illinois State police announce murder charges against two... posted on April 28, 2022
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago. Mayor Lightfoot accused o... Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdo... posted on May 7, 2022
  • Classic and great tasting Shish Kabob plate with skewers of beef, lamb, and kuftah on a bed of yellow and red rice at Zwar in Orland Park. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Finally an Arab Restauran... Finally an Arab Restaurant in Orland Park Americans will love One of the b... posted on April 29, 2022
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania The Political Pundit Comi... The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police... posted on May 3, 2022
  • NEWS
  • Republican conservatives Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman, Committeewoman of Orland Township, and Steve Balich, Committeeman of Homer Township, welcomed attendees at a GOP rally Friday May 20, 2022 in Orland Township
    Conservative Republican candidates rally in Orland Township
    May 22, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves own Game 1 against Milwaukee Admirals
    May 21, 2022
  • Congressman Sean Casten
    Casten Introduces bill to Help Communities Facing Flood Damage  
    May 19, 2022
  • ormer City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Arab Democratic Club forum hosts candidates for public office at brunch May 15
    May 17, 2022
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
  • Liz Gorman hosts Forum for Republican Candidates May 20. Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement, will be a keynote speaker
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former GOP Presidential icon, headlines Gorman Republican Forum
    May 16, 2022
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • Netflix is the best streaming service, despite drop in stock price
    April 20, 2022
  • Book Cover "Laptop from Hell" by Miranda Devince
    Questions remain unanswered about Hunter Biden’s ties to Ukraine
    February 20, 2022
  • Amazon.com's "Day 1" tower in Seattle, WA in January 2017. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Clifford Law to sue Amazon after employee is killed by tornado at downstate distribution center
    January 16, 2022

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wolves own Game 1 against Milwaukee Admirals
    May 21, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves face-off with Toronto Marlies Nov. 13, 2021
    Chicago Wolves sweep AH regular season awards
    May 1, 2022
  • Muhammad Ali Center United Way
    Muhammad Ali Center, Metro United Way partner for Greatest Give Back
    April 29, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves lose to Toronto Marlies in overtime at AllState Arena Nov. 14, 2021
    Chicago Wolves wrap up home schedule in style
    April 29, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
  • Liz Gorman hosts Forum for Republican Candidates May 20. Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement, will be a keynote speaker
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former GOP Presidential icon, headlines Gorman Republican Forum
    May 16, 2022
  • Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in John and Chloe Clayborn’s Lincoln Park living room — one “go bag” for each of them.
    Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters
    May 6, 2022
  • Candidate for Cook County Board President Richard Boykin in the June 28, 2022 Democratic Primary election
    Preckwinkle challenger Richard Boykin unveils 7-point Holistic Public Safety Plan to address the County’s escalating crime rates
    April 21, 2022
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Children rescued from abusive home now safe, Dads’ Rights attorney Leving reports
    April 19, 2022
Two Guys on PoliticsTwo Guys on Politics

John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications
  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
    Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown
    May 7, 2022
  • John Husnick provides direction at Worth Township Career Fair
    Building Trades Career Fair offers opportunities for students
    April 29, 2022
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Leving to present on dad’s rights legal issues at Horasis Global meeting Friday March 4, 2022
    March 3, 2022
Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme