IllinoisSB2431104th General Assembly (2025–2026)Senate

EXPLOSIVES & CONSUMER FIREWORK

Sponsored By: Doris Turner (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the Illinois Explosives Act. Makes changes to defined terms. Provides that no person shall acquire, possess, use, transfer, or dispose of explosive materials unless the person has obtained a valid Illinois Individual Explosives License issued by the Department of Natural Resources, except as provided in the Act. In provisions concerning qualifications for licensure, provides that no person shall qualify to hold a license who is an unlawful user of or addicted to alcohol or any controlled substance or has been adjudicated a person with a mental disability as defined in the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act or the person's FOID card is suspended or revoked. Provides that upon receipt of a second revocation of an explosives license, the person shall no longer be eligible to apply for an Illinois individual explosive license. Provides that any bulk storage or holding of consumer fireworks in quantities of 1,001 pounds or greater that is not in compliance with the Pyrotechnic Use Act or the Pyrotechnic Distributor and Operator Licensing Act must be stored in a Department certified Type 1, Type 2, or Type 4 magazine and must meet the distancing requirements for low explosives in applicable law. Provides that no consumer firework cake, designed for consumer use, shall exceed 500 grams in total explosive chemical composition. Provides that any person transporting explosive materials in the State shall comply with the placard requirements, as required by federal administrative rule. Makes other changes.

assignmentslicensed activitiesjudiciary - criminal

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 2 mixed.

Explosives handlers face tighter license limits

People generally need an Illinois Individual Explosives License to acquire, possess, use, transfer, or dispose of explosives. Applicants must be at least 21; unlawful alcohol use, alcohol addiction, and suspended or revoked firearm-owner cards bar eligibility. The law removes criminal-history exceptions for specified business-practice and state offenses punishable by more than one year in prison. Personal or immediate-family black-powder use for sporting, recreational, or cultural purposes remains exempt, along with qualifying supervised business operations. The former exception referencing the Pyrotechnic Distributor and Operator Licensing Act is removed.

Explosives businesses get revised worker exemptions

The individual-license exemption covers mining, quarrying, demolition, manufacturing, wholesale, and retail operations with an Article 3 storage certificate. Explosives activities must stay within the certificate's authorized purpose. Employees, contractors, and other authorized workers need direct supervision by someone licensed under this law or for aggregate-mining explosives use. The supervisor must be physically present throughout use or disposal. Demolition is included, but the previously listed coal-mining certifications no longer qualify.

Explosives handlers face records and inspections

People, license holders, and certificate holders must keep Department-required records of explosives possession, use, purchase, transfer, and storage. Records must be kept for at least three years. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources can inspect licensed or certified parties' records and property for explosives safety. Inspections must occur at reasonable times, in a reasonable manner, and within constitutional limits. The Department can also investigate safety questions and offer advice, recommendations, and monitoring.

Explosives transporters must follow federal placard rules

Anyone transporting explosive materials in Illinois must follow federal placard rules. These rules govern the warning signs used during transport. The requirement applies while the materials are transported within the state.

Explosives violations bring criminal and license penalties

Storing explosives without a valid storage certificate is a Class 3 felony unless an exemption in Section 1005 or 2000 applies. Obtaining control of stolen explosives is also a Class 3 felony when someone knows or reasonably should believe they are stolen. Any applicable violation without another specified penalty is a Class B misdemeanor, including violations by license or certificate holders. Unpaid fines after a final administrative decision can lead to license suspension, revocation, or refusal to issue or renew. A second explosives-license revocation permanently bars a person from applying again.

Fireworks handlers face weight-based storage rules

Consumer fireworks with a bulk total gross weight under 1,001 pounds are excluded from the law's definition of explosives. Federal safety rules and classifications define which fireworks qualify. At 1,001 pounds or more, bulk storage not complying with either named Illinois fireworks law requires a certified storage building. It must be a Department-certified Type 1, Type 2, or Type 4 magazine and meet low-explosive safety-distance rules. The explosives definitions also cover water gels, federally listed materials, display fireworks, and specified explosive devices over one-quarter ounce.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Doris Turner

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Jay Hoffman

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 178 • No: 83

Senate vote • 5/31/2025

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs

Yes: 40 • No: 17

Senate vote • 5/29/2025

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Licensed Activities;

Yes: 5 • No: 3

House vote • 5/28/2025

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 75 • No: 39

House vote • 5/6/2025

Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee;

Yes: 9 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 39 • No: 16

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommend Do Adopt Licensed Activities;

Yes: 5 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Do Pass as Amended Licensed Activities;

Yes: 5 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0420

    8/15/2025Senate
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2026

    8/15/2025Senate
  3. Governor Approved

    8/15/2025Senate
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/27/2025Senate
  5. Passed Both Houses

    5/31/2025Senate
  6. Senate Concurs

    5/31/2025Senate
  7. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs 040-017-000

    5/31/2025Senate
  8. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Licensed Activities; 005-003-000

    5/29/2025Senate
  9. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Assignments Referred to Licensed Activities

    5/29/2025Senate
  10. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Assignments

    5/29/2025Senate
  11. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Filed with Secretary Sen. Doris Turner

    5/29/2025Senate
  12. Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1 - May 28, 2025

    5/28/2025Senate
  13. Secretary's Desk - Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1

    5/28/2025Senate
  14. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 075-039-000

    5/28/2025House
  15. Third Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2025

    5/23/2025House
  16. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    5/14/2025House
  17. Second Reading - Short Debate

    5/14/2025House
  18. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

    5/7/2025House
  19. Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 009-003-000

    5/6/2025House
  20. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Judiciary - Criminal Committee; by Voice Vote

    5/6/2025House
  21. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Criminal Committee

    5/6/2025House
  22. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

    5/1/2025House
  23. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Jay Hoffman

    5/1/2025House
  24. Assigned to Judiciary - Criminal Committee

    4/17/2025House
  25. Referred to Rules Committee

    4/9/2025House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

  • Enrolled

  • House Amendment 1

  • Introduced

  • Senate Amendment 1

  • Senate Amendment 2

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