Ground sparkler tax reintroduced at Illinois statehouse

(The Center Square) – Another attempt is being made to legalize certain fireworks and tax them in Illinois.

The Ground-Based Sparkler Purchaser Excise Tax Act would impose a 6% tax on consumers purchasing ground-based sparklers or fountains for personal use, beginning July 1, 2025.

The measure says retailers must register with the Department of Revenue, collect the tax, and remit it to the state, with a portion benefiting firefighter pension funds.

American Pyrotechnics Association Executive Director Julie Heckman said this tax is basically trying to help the state fund various programs that benefit firefighters.

“I don’t know that it’s a benefit to the [firework] industry. I mean, obviously, it’s one more thing that they’re responsible for doing. But it probably is also an incentive to be able to keep the sale of sparklers legal in the state,” said Heckman.

- Advertisement -

Heckman said if the sale of sparklers generates revenue, then state legislators are less likely to ban ground sparklers, or fountains. Heckman said that the additional tax has to be separate from whatever a general sales tax is.

“So if it’s 6%, 6% of those sales will, then that tax will go to the Department of Revenue,” said Heckman.

House Bill 2851, which is in the Sales Tax Subcommittee, also says sparklers cannot be sold to anyone under 18.

APA anticipates HB 2851, if enacted, will help the state determine the volume of fireworks actually being sold in the state. Heckman said APA is pretty good at estimating national sales, but when it comes down to state-specific, it’s very hard to find that information because every state collects the information differently.

“When they see what that 6% brings in, they’re going to have a pretty good idea of how many sparklers are being sold in the state,” said Heckman.

Special taxes have been put on sparklers and consumer fireworks in various states, like Indiana and West Virginia, Heckman said.

- Advertisement -

“That money will be used to help fund special programs like firefighter education or emergency responders. It looks like in Illinois the money is going to go towards the firemen’s annuity and benefit fund and the firefighter’s pension investment fund,” said Heckman.

According to the Illinois Public Pension Fund Association, as of 2023, unfunded liabilities for Illinois’ downstate police and fire pension plans totaled approximately $12 billion.

Opponents of legalizing ground based sparklers say they are not safe and could cause severe injury or death.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Wisconsin Senate approves bill requiring court, attorney costs for open records

(The Center Square) – The Wisconsin Senate approved a...

Lawmakers clash over carbon taxes, age-verification apps, film credits

(The Center Square) — From failed carbon tax proposals...

WATCH: Retailer warns State Police website maintenance could pause firearms sales

(The Center Square) – A firearms retailer is raising...

IL lawmakers push warehouse solar despite safety, energy risks: Legislator

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are pushing House...

FDA to speed up U.S. food chemical reviews, add three to investigation list

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday the...

Wisconsin Senate Republicans want Evers budget meeting by next week

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s Republican Senate leaders say...

REPORT: Job loss tops list of causes for homelessness in King County

(The Center Square) – A comprehensive report on King...

Vegas planning panel rejects Harlem Nights casino resort

(The Center Square) - The controversial Harlem Nights casino...

More like this
Related

Wisconsin Senate approves bill requiring court, attorney costs for open records

(The Center Square) – The Wisconsin Senate approved a...

Lawmakers clash over carbon taxes, age-verification apps, film credits

(The Center Square) — From failed carbon tax proposals...

WATCH: Retailer warns State Police website maintenance could pause firearms sales

(The Center Square) – A firearms retailer is raising...

IL lawmakers push warehouse solar despite safety, energy risks: Legislator

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are pushing House...