Stash of fireworks confiscated at Lemont Township home

Thousands of pounds of fireworks recovered by Cook County Sheriff’s Police at Lemont Township residence

More than 4,000 pounds of fireworks and materials to create fireworks were recovered at a residence in unincorporated Lemont, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced Wednesday, June 14, 2017.

At approximately 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Sheriff’s Police responded to a domestic trouble call in the 14800 block of Kotlin Road in unincorporated Lemont. While investigating the call, officers saw what appeared to be boxes of fireworks just inside the front door.

After receiving consent from one of the residents to search the home, officers found a large amount of fireworks inside. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Mines and Minerals and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives were contacted to assist.

Approximately 4,000 pounds of fireworks and approximately 40 pounds of commercial grade and homemade fireworks were recovered. Also recovered were materials to make fireworks such as flash powder, tubes, fuses and plugs.

One person is in custody. Charges are pending.

Illinois bans all fireworks that explode and fireworks that fire into the sky. The only exception to the law is sparklers, snakes, small smoke bombs. Specifically dangerous and banned under several federal laws including the Child Protection Act are M-80s and Hammer Bombs, which are very dangerous.

The Illinois Pyrotechnic Use Act only allows the following “fireworks”: Sparklers, Some small cap guns, Snake or glow worm pellets, Smoke devices, Trick noisemakers known as party poppers, Booby traps, Snappers, Trick matches, Cigarette loads, Auto burglar alarms.

Click here to read the Fireworks Safety Act of Illinois.

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

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