Public Act 094-0658
 
SB1821 Enrolled LRB094 09820 LJB 40076 b

    AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Pyrotechnic Operator Licensing Act is
amended by changing Section 5 as follows:
 
    (225 ILCS 227/5)
    Sec. 5. Definitions. In this Act:
    "Display fireworks" means any substance or article defined
as a Division 1.3G explosive or special effects fireworks 1.4
explosive by the United States Department of Transportation
under 49 CFR 173.50, except a substance or article exempted
under the Fireworks Use Act.
    "Fireworks" has the meaning given to that term in the
Fireworks Use Act.
    "Lead pyrotechnic operator" means the individual with
overall responsibility for the safety, setup, discharge, and
supervision of a pyrotechnic display.
    "Office" means Office of the State Fire Marshal.
    "Person" means an individual, firm, corporation,
association, partnership, company, consortium, joint venture,
commercial entity, state, municipality, or political
subdivision of a state or any agency, department, or
instrumentality of the United States and any officer, agent, or
employee of these entities.
    "Pyrotechnic display" or "display" means the detonation,
ignition, or deflagration of display fireworks or flame effects
to produce a visual or audible effect of an exhibitional nature
before the public, invitees, or licensees, regardless of
whether admission is charged.
(Source: P.A. 93-263, eff. 7-22-03.)
 
    Section 10. The Fireworks Use Act is amended by changing
Sections 1, 2, 4.1, and 5 and by adding Sections 2.1, 2.2, and
2.3 as follows:
 
    (425 ILCS 35/1)  (from Ch. 127 1/2, par. 127)
    Sec. 1. Definitions. As used in this Act, the following
words shall have the following meanings:
    "1.3G fireworks" means those fireworks used for
professional outdoor displays and classified as fireworks
UN0333, UN0334, or UN0335 by the United States Department of
Transportation under 49 C.F.R. 172.101.
    "Consumer distributor" means any person who distributes,
offers for sale, sells, or exchanges for consideration consumer
fireworks in Illinois to another distributor or directly to any
retailer or person for resale.
    "Consumer fireworks" means those fireworks that must
comply with the construction, chemical composition, and
labeling regulations of the U.S. Consumer Products Safety
Commission, as set forth in 16 C.F.R. Parts 1500 and 1507, and
classified as fireworks UN0336 or UN0337 by the United States
Department of Transportation under 49 C.F.R. 172.101.
"Consumer fireworks" shall not include snake or glow worm
pellets; smoke devices; trick noisemakers known as "party
poppers", "booby traps", "snappers", "trick matches",
"cigarette loads", and "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; and toy pistol paper or
plastic caps that contain less than twenty hundredths grains of
explosive mixture; the sale and use of which shall be permitted
at all times.
    "Consumer fireworks display" or "consumer display" means
the detonation, ignition, or deflagration of consumer
fireworks to produce a visual or audible effect.
    "Consumer operator" means an adult individual who is
responsible for the safety, setup, and discharge of the
consumer fireworks display and who has completed the training
required in Section 2.2 of this Act.
    "Consumer retailer" means any person who offers for sale,
sells, or exchanges for consideration consumer fireworks in
Illinois directly to any person with a consumer display permit.
    "Display fireworks" means 1.3G or special effects
fireworks or as further defined in the Pyrotechnic Operator
Licensing Act.
    "Flame effect" means the detonation, ignition, or
deflagration of flammable gases, liquids, or special materials
to produce a thermal, physical, visual, or audible effect
before the public, invitees, or licensees, regardless of
whether admission is charged, in accordance with National Fire
Protection Association 160 guidelines, and as may be further
defined in the Pyrotechnic Operator Licensing Act.
    "Lead pyrotechnic operator" means an individual who is
responsible for the safety, setup, and discharge of the
pyrotechnic display and who is licensed pursuant to the
Pyrotechnic Operator Licensing Act.
    "Person" means an individual, firm, corporation,
association, partnership, company, consortium, joint venture,
or commercial entity.
    "Pyrotechnic display" means the detonation, ignition, or
deflagration of display fireworks or flame effects to produce
visual or audible effects of a exhibitional nature before the
public, invitees, or licensees, regardless of whether
admission is charged, and as may be further defined in the
Pyrotechnic Operator Licensing Act.
    "Special effects fireworks" means pyrotechnic devices used
for special effects by professionals in the performing arts in
conjunction with theatrical, musical, or other productions
that are similar to consumer fireworks in chemical compositions
and construction, but are not intended for consumer use and are
not labeled as such or identified as "intended for indoor use".
"Special effects fireworks" are classified as fireworks UN0431
or UN0432 by the United States Department of Transportation
under 49 C.F.R. 172.101.
The term fireworks shall mean and include any explosive
composition, or any substance or combination of substances, or
article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or
audible effect of a temporary exhibitional nature by explosion,
combustion, deflagration or detonation, and shall include
blank cartridges, toy cannons, in which explosives are used,
the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel
the same, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles,
bombs, or other fireworks of like construction and any
fireworks containing any explosive compound, or any tablets or
other device containing any explosive substance, or containing
combustible substances producing visual effects: provided,
however, that the term "fireworks" shall not include snake or
glow worm pellets; smoke devices; trick noisemakers known as
"party poppers", "booby traps", "snappers", "trick matches",
"cigarette loads" and "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, providing they are so
constructed that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap
when in place for the explosion; and toy pistol paper or
plastic caps which contain less than twenty hundredths grains
of explosive mixture; the sale and use of which shall be
permitted at all times.
(Source: P.A. 83-474.)
 
    (425 ILCS 35/2)  (from Ch. 127 1/2, par. 128)
    Sec. 2. Possession, sale, and use of fireworks. Except as
hereinafter provided it shall be unlawful for any person, firm,
co-partnership, or corporation to knowingly possess, offer for
sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any
display fireworks, flame effects, or consumer fireworks;
provided that city councils in cities, the president and board
of trustees in villages and incorporated towns, and outside the
corporate limits of cities, villages and incorporated towns,
the county board, shall have power to adopt reasonable rules
and regulations for the granting of permits for pyrotechnic and
consumer displays. supervised public displays of fireworks.
Every such display shall be handled by a competent individual
who is licensed as a lead pyrotechnic operator. Application for
permits shall be made in writing at least 15 days in advance of
the date of the display and action shall be taken on such
application within 48 hours after such application is made.
After such privilege shall have been granted, sales,
possession, use and distribution of fireworks for such display
shall be lawful for that purpose only. No permit granted
hereunder shall be transferable.
    Permits may be granted hereunder to any groups of 3 or more
adult individuals applying therefor. No permit shall be
required, under the provisions of this Act, for supervised
public displays by State or County fair associations.
    The governing body shall require proof of insurance from
the permit applicant in a sum not less than $1,000,000
conditioned on compliance with the provisions of this law and
the regulations of the State Fire Marshal adopted hereunder,
except that no municipality shall be required to provide
evidence of insurance.
    Such permit shall be issued only after inspection of the
display site by the issuing officer, to determine that such
display shall be in full compliance with the rules of the State
Fire Marshal, which shall be based upon nationally recognized
standards such as those of the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) 1123 guidelines for outdoor displays and
NFPA 1126 guidelines for indoor displays and shall not be
hazardous to property or endanger any person or persons.
Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the issuer of the permit
from adopting more stringent rules.
    All indoor pyrotechnic displays shall be conducted in
buildings protected by automatic sprinkler systems.
    The chief of the fire department providing fire protection
coverage to the area of display, or his or her designee, shall
sign the permit.
    Possession by any party holding a certificate of
registration under "The Fireworks Regulation Act of Illinois",
filed July 20, 1935, or by any employee or agent of such party
or by any person transporting fireworks for such party, shall
not be a violation, provided such possession is within the
scope of business of the fireworks plant registered under that
Act.
(Source: P.A. 93-263, eff. 7-22-03.)
 
    (425 ILCS 35/2.1 new)
    Sec. 2.1. Pyrotechnic displays. Each pyrotechnic display
shall be conducted by a licensed lead pyrotechnic operator.
Applications for a pyrotechnic display permit shall be made in
writing at least 15 days in advance of the date of the
pyrotechnic display, unless agreed to otherwise by the local
jurisdiction issuing the permit and the fire chief of the
jurisdiction in which the display will occur. After a permit
has been granted, sales, possession, use, and distribution of
display fireworks for the display shall be lawful for that
purpose only. No permit granted hereunder shall be
transferable.
    Pyrotechnic display permits may be granted hereunder to any
adult individual applying therefor. No permit shall be required
under the provisions of this Act for supervised public displays
by State or County fair associations.
    The applicant seeking the pyrotechnic display permit must
provide proof of liability insurance in a sum not less than
$1,000,000 to the local governmental entity issuing the permit.
    A permit shall be issued only after the chief of the fire
department providing fire protection coverage to the area of
display, or his or her designee, has inspected the site and
determined that the display can be performed in full compliance
with the rules adopted by the State Fire Marshal and that the
display shall not be hazardous to property or endanger any
person or persons. Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the
issuer of a permit from adopting more stringent rules.
    All indoor pyrotechnic displays shall be conducted in
buildings protected by automatic sprinkler systems and meeting
the requirements of rules adopted by the State Fire Marshal
pursuant to this Act.
    Permits shall be signed by the chief of the fire department
providing fire protection to the area of display, or his or her
designee, and must identify the lead pyrotechnic operator.
 
    (425 ILCS 35/2.2 new)
    Sec. 2.2. Consumer displays. Each consumer display shall be
handled by a competent individual who has received training
from a consumer fireworks training class approved by the Office
of the State Fire Marshal. Applications for consumer display
permits shall be made in writing at least 15 days in advance of
the date of the display, unless agreed to otherwise by the
local jurisdiction issuing the permit and the fire chief of the
jurisdiction in which the display will occur. After a permit
has been granted, sales, possession, use, and distribution of
consumer fireworks for display shall be lawful for that purpose
only. No permit granted hereunder shall be transferable.
    Permits may be granted hereunder to any adult individual
applying for a permit who provides proof that he or she has
received the requisite training. The local jurisdiction
issuing the permit is authorized to conduct a criminal
background check of the applicant as a condition of issuing a
permit.
    A permit shall be issued only after inspection of the
display site by the fire chief providing fire protection
coverage to the area of display, or his or her designee, to
determine that the display is in full compliance with the rules
adopted by the State Fire Marshal. Nothing in this Section
shall prohibit the issuer of a permit from adopting more
stringent rules.
 
    (425 ILCS 35/2.3 new)
    Sec. 2.3. Consumer distributors and retailers. No person
may act as a consumer distributor or retailer or advertise or
use any title implying that the person is a consumer
distributor or retailer unless registered with the Office of
the State Fire Marshal. No consumer fireworks may be
distributed, sold, transferred, or provided free of charge to
an individual who has not been issued a permit in accordance
with Section 2.2 of this Act or has not registered with the
Office of the State Fire Marshal in accordance with this
Section. No person may sell to a single individual a quantity
of consumer fireworks exceeding 499 pounds without prior
approval by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The State
Fire Marshal, in the name of the People, through the Attorney
General, the State's Attorney of any county, any resident of
the State, or any legal entity within the State may apply for
injunctive relief in any court to enjoin any person who has not
registered from distributing or selling consumer fireworks.
Upon filing a verified petition in court, the court, if
satisfied by affidavit, or otherwise, that the person is or has
been distributing in violation of this Act, may enter a
temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, without
bond, enjoining the defendant from further activity. A copy of
the verified complaint shall be served upon the defendant and
the proceedings are to be conducted as in other civil cases.
The court may enter a judgment permanently enjoining a
defendant from further unregistered activity if it is
established that the defendant has been or is distributing in
violation of this Act. In case of violation of any injunctive
order or judgment entered under this Section, the court may
summarily try and punish the offender for contempt of court.
Injunctive proceedings are in addition to all penalties and
other remedies in this Act.
 
    (425 ILCS 35/4.1)  (from Ch. 127 1/2, par. 130.1)
    Sec. 4.1. The State Fire Marshal may adopt necessary rules
and regulations for the administration of this Act which shall
be based upon nationally recognized standards such as those of
the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1123
guidelines for outdoor displays, NFPA 1126 guidelines for
proximate audience displays, and NFPA 160 guidelines for flame
effects. The State Fire Marshal is authorized to adopt rules
that establish audience proximity distances for consumer
display fireworks.
    The Office of the State Fire Marshal shall maintain a list
of approved consumer fireworks and update the list annually or
as new consumer fireworks items are submitted to the Office by
consumer distributors.
    All applications, permits, and site inspection records
shall be on forms approved by the State Fire Marshal.
(Source: P.A. 81-623.)
 
    (425 ILCS 35/5)  (from Ch. 127 1/2, par. 131)
    Sec. 5. (a) Any person, firm, co-partnership, or
corporation violating the provisions of this Act, except as
provided in subsection b, shall be guilty of a Class A B
misdemeanor.
    (b) The possession, offering for sale, exposing for sale,
or selling at retail of fireworks in violation of this Act is:
        (1) a petty offense if involving up to 1 pound of
fireworks, exclusive of external packaging; or
        (2) a Class B misdemeanor if involving an amount
greater than 1 pound but up to 3 pounds of fireworks, exclusive
of external packaging; or
        (3) a Class A misdemeanor if involving an amount
greater than 3 pounds of fireworks, exclusive of external
packaging.
    "External packaging", for purposes of this subsection,
shall mean any materials which are not an integral part of the
operative unit of fireworks.
(Source: P.A. 82-620.)