Map shows states where fireworks are legal on July 4, 2024
Ahead of July 4, here are the states where fireworks sales are legal, where they're illegal and where various restrictions apply.
Watch CBS News
Ahead of July 4, here are the states where fireworks sales are legal, where they're illegal and where various restrictions apply.
The Independence Day fireworks in Wheaton, Illinois, went off with a bigger bang than expected. The fire department said they had to cancel the show after a malfunction. No one was hurt.
A new report shows there were 9,700 firework-related injuries last year and eight deaths.
It comes after years of illegal and disruptive fireworks shows that have drawn crowds and controversy.
Fireworks and more are on display starting this weekend for the Fourth of July Holiday, with many places in Chicago and the suburbs to sit and enjoy the colorful celebration.
Fireworks and more are on display starting this weekend for the Fourth of July holiday, with many places in Chicago and the suburbs to sit and enjoy the colorful celebration.
While fireworks may be beautiful, they also leave furry friends on edge.
As Fourth of July celebrations kick off around the Chicago area filled with fireworks, dog owners know well how the noise can be an unpleasant experience for some.
As Fourth of July celebrations kick off around the Chicago area filled with fireworks, dog owners know well how the noise can be an unpleasant experience for some.
Love or hate it; the event has become a longstanding Fourth of July tradition at Winnemac Park: a spontaneous yet unofficial and very illegal fireworks show where amateur pyrotechnics put on a show well into the night.
CBS 2's Andrew Ramos reports that it comes after years of illegal and disruptive fireworks shows that have drawn crowds and controversy.
In 2023, 9,700 fireworks injuries were reported, with eight deaths. In illinois, officials reported 10 people losing limbs. Officials also emphasized the impact fireworks have on combat veterans battling PTSD.
At the Puerto Rican Festival in Humboldt Park, organizers prioritized safety—with a fence around the perimeter and bag checks at the entrance.
Music boomed within the festival grounds in the Puerto Rican Fest in Humboldt Park, but getting in to see it required waiting in a security line. CBS 2's Sara Machi reports.
The fireworks happen anywhere between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., and have even been mistaken for gunshots on Citizen app and other platforms.
The fireworks have been going off for weeks for reasons unknown in the area of Clark Street between Diversey and Fullerton parkways.
University of Chicago Law School professor Craig Futterman said the case shows how sending out officers with bad information can potentially lead to disaster.
The fireworks will return next Memorial Day weekend.
The free summer tradition starts tonight at 10 p.m.
Illinois State Reps. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) and Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) both sponsored legislation to expand fireworks sales in Illinois.
"I think people want the ability to celebrate, which absolutely makes sense for the holiday, and just trying to figure out how to do it responsibly."
First responders in Chicago juggled everything from severe weather, thousands of illegal fireworks calls, and at least 57 people shot over the long Fourth of July weekend. As CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey reported, the shootings total was an improvement from the violence the city saw last year, according to police.
Neighbors on the scene say they were awoken in the middle of the night by people telling them to get out of their homes.
The Pier didn't have fireworks planned for the Fourth of July but did have other entertainment for the holiday.
You can catch fireworks displays at Navy Pier every Wednesday and Saturday through Labor Day weekend.
Evanston Township High School was placed on soft lockdown Thursday afternoon, and security precautions were also taken at other nearby schools, after shots were fired near the school.
Matthew Keirans used William Woods's identity for decades, then manipulated police into prosecuting Woods, who spent 428 days in jail and 147 days in a mental hospital before DNA evidence proved his innocence.
The Justice Department's internal watchdog said it will audit the department's compliance with the law that required the release of the Epstein files.
Chicago police are searching for a man wanted in an act of public indecency on a CTA 'L' train in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Several organizations came together on Thursday to celebrate the opening of a new wellness center in Chicago's West Garfield Park community.
The Justice Department's internal watchdog said it will audit the department's compliance with the law that required the release of the Epstein files.
President Trump intends to nominate David Cummins to lead the Transportation Security Administration, according to a person familiar with the decision.
The order places FDA-approved products containing marijuana and state-regulated medical marijuana products at a lower drug classification.
The Senate adopted a budget resolution after a six-hour "vote-a-rama," with the GOP moving forward to fund ICE without Democrats.
Will Chicago see another surge in immigration raids like last year's Operation Midway Blitz? That was a topic on Capitol Hill as Chicagoans testified at a congressional hearing about their encounters with Border Patrol and ICE agents.
In the legal venue of anti-trust enforcement, the state is not taking on the Trump administration, but rather filling a void that state officials say the Trump administration has vacated.
A passenger on an American Airlines flight from New York to Chicago has been charged with making a false bomb threat that forced an emergency landing at Detroit Metro Airport last month, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Skyrocketing property taxes continue to be a hot-button issue in Cook County — particularly since last fall, when many residents saw their tax bills increase by 100% or more.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias this weekend issued a warning about a surge in text messages that falsely claim to come from his office or the DMV within it.
Tenants at a South Loop luxury high-rise that has been plagued with problems like broken elevators are vowing to fight five-day eviction notices.
Several organizations came together on Thursday to celebrate the opening of a new wellness center in Chicago's West Garfield Park community.
La Rabida Children's Hospital went all out for Earth Day on Wednesday, with volunteer cleanup efforts by staffers and activities for patients and families.
It has been several weeks since West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, Illinois, abruptly shut down — and then on Wednesday, it just as swiftly partially reopened, with some services available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 80% of deaths related to pregnancy are preventable, and Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Investment research firm Morningstar could move into the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago once Google is done renovating the former Illinois state government building.
Trader Joe's is planning to open a new location at the Lincoln Village Shopping Center in Chicago's North Park neighborhood, the office of Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) recently announced.
The satirical news outlet The Onion has a new plan to take over conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' Infowars platforms and turn them into parodies.
Whole Foods will soon be moving into a vacant space in a relatively new commercial building in Chicago's Lakeview community, a local chamber of commerce group said.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
Tickets for the 2026 Ravinia Festival season went on sale Thursday morning.
The satirical news outlet The Onion has a new plan to take over conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' Infowars platforms and turn them into parodies.
Emily Saliers, one-half of the Atlanta folk duo The Indigo Girls, has revealed that she has been diagnosed with two incurable movement disorders that will forever change the way that she sings.
Blues icon and world music pioneer Taj Mahal will be headlining the Chicago Blues Festival this June.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Warm and summery Thursday, with storms moving in overnight. Highs around 80.
Several organizations came together on Thursday to celebrate the opening of a new wellness center in Chicago’s West Garfield Park community.
The Chicagoland Lab Rescue is looking for a forever home for Rambo.
The man who owned the Winnetka house where "Home Alone" was filmed at the time it was made is now facing multiple child pornography charges.
A man was shot and wounded Thursday morning near Union Station in Chicago.
A man was shot and wounded Thursday morning near Union Station in Chicago.
The man who owned the Winnetka house where "Home Alone" was filmed at the time the movie was made was found dead days after being charged multiple felonies for child pornography.
Evanston Township High School was placed on soft lockdown Thursday afternoon, and security precautions were also taken at other nearby schools, after shots were fired near the school.
Matthew Keirans used William Woods's identity for decades, then manipulated police into prosecuting Woods, who spent 428 days in jail and 147 days in a mental hospital before DNA evidence proved his innocence.
The Justice Department's internal watchdog said it will audit the department's compliance with the law that required the release of the Epstein files.
Michaels spent years as an advocate for sexual assault survivors, putting pressure on Congress and speaking out on behalf of Jeffrey Epstein survivors, like herself.
Residents in one part of Chicago's Noble Square neighborhood say they've been dealing with cars careening off the Kennedy Expressway and crashing into their front yard for decades, and the state won't help.
Madeline Morgan said she was repeatedly stalked and abused, even though the man responsible was forced to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, which was cut off.
Chicago deals with the worst traffic congestion in the U.S., according to the 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard from INRIX, a transportation analytics company.
A specially designed playground in the West Pullman neighborhood is making a difference, addressing flooding and the impact of climate change across Chicago.
A year after his passing, the late Chicago Bears legend Steve "Mongo" McMichael is being honored for advancing CTE research.
Here is what to know about where and when to watch the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Cubs have outscored their opponents 58-20 during the franchise's longest win streak since it also won eight in a row from July 21-29, 2023.
A crew of drivers made a pit stop in Joliet, as the track prepares for its first competitive race since 2019.
Rookie Munetaka Murakami homered for the fourth straight game, Sean Burke won for the first time in 17 appearances, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-5 on Tuesday night.
Evanston Township High School was placed on soft lockdown Thursday afternoon, and security precautions were also taken at other nearby schools, after shots were fired near the school.
Matthew Keirans used William Woods's identity for decades, then manipulated police into prosecuting Woods, who spent 428 days in jail and 147 days in a mental hospital before DNA evidence proved his innocence.
Chicago police are searching for a man wanted in an act of public indecency on a CTA 'L' train in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
A man was shot and wounded Thursday morning near Union Station in Chicago.
A man was sentenced to 45 years in prison this week for shooting an innocent woman in the head at a Roselle, Illinois, restaurant in 2022.
