Illinois officials urge fireworks safety as July 4th nears

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois officials are asking the public to let trained and licensed experts handle fireworks as the Fourth of July holiday approaches.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says anyone who buys, uses, transfers, stores or disposes of fireworks in Illinois must have an explosives license and explosives storage certificate that it issues. The department says anyone sponsoring fireworks displays in Illinois should make sure their vendors have the required state licenses and certificates.

About 2,200 people are licensed to use explosives in Illinois, with about 1,000 are specifically licensed for fireworks displays.

Violations can be felony crimes with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Hand-held fireworks, including firecrackers, roman candles and bottle rockets are not approved for sale or use in Illinois.