Springfield, IL Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Fireworks in Springfield are governed primarily by Illinois state law, which preempts most local consumer-fireworks activity. Under the Pyrotechnic Use Act, 425 ILCS 35/2, it is 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. City councils, village boards, and county boards may adopt reasonable rules for granting permits for pyrotechnic and consumer displays. The Illinois State Fire Marshal prohibits all consumer fireworks unless they meet approval requirements; expressly prohibited items include handheld fireworks, bottle rockets, skyrockets, Roman candles, chasers, buzz bombs, helicopters, missiles, pinwheels, sky lanterns, and firecrackers of all types.

The Act excludes novelty effects -- snake/glow worm pellets, smoke devices, party poppers, booby traps, snappers, trick matches, cigarette loads, sparklers, and small cap toy guns -- from the definition of consumer fireworks, and their sale and use are permitted at all times (though a municipality may by ordinance prohibit sparkler sale/use on public property). Within Springfield, no person may sell fireworks at retail, and only the holder of a display permit approved by the City of Springfield Fire Marshal (applicant must be 21 or older, filed 15+ days in advance) may possess and display fireworks for the permitted display.