(A) For the purpose of this section, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
FIREWORKS. Shall mean and include any explosive composition, or any substance or combination of substances, or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect of a temporary exhibitional nature by explosion, combustion, deflagration or detonation, and shall include blank cartridges, toy cannons, in which explosives are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel the same, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, bombs, or other fireworks of like construction and any fireworks containing any explosive compound, or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance, or containing combustible substances producing visual effects: provided, however, that the term FIREWORKS shall not include snake or glow worm pellets; smoke devices; trick noisemakers known as party poppers, booby traps, snapper, trick matches, cigarette loads, and auto burglar alarms, sparklers, toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns, or other devices in which paper or plastic caps containing .25 grains or less of explosive compound are used, providing they are so constructed that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap when in place for the explosion; and toy pistol paper or plastic caps which contain less than .20 grains of explosive mixture; the sale and use of which shall be permitted at all times.
(B) Sale, use or explosion of fireworks prohibited.
(1) Public displays; permits. Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be 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 fireworks; provided that the city council shall have power to adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the granting of permits for supervised public displays of fireworks. Every such display shall be handled by a competent individual designated by the local authorities herein specified and shall be of such a character and so located, discharged or fired, as not to be hazardous to property or endanger any person or persons. Application for permits shall be made in writing to the city council at least 15 days in advance of the date of the display and section shall be taken on such application within 48 hours after such application is made. After such privilege shall have been granted by the city council, sales, possession, use and distribution of fireworks for such display shall be lawful for that purpose only. No permit granted in this section shall be transferable.
(2) Permits shall be granted hereunder to any groups of three or more adult individuals applying therefor.
(3) The city council shall require a bond from the licensee in the sum of not less than $1,000 conditioned on compliance with the provisions of this law and the regulations adopted in this section.
(4) Such permit shall be issued only after inspection of the display site by the building commissioner, to determine that such display shall not be hazardous to property or endanger any person or persons and a report to the city council. Forms for such application and permit may be obtained from the office of the building commissioner.
(5) Possession by any party holding a certificate of registration under "The Fireworks Regulation Act of Illinois," field July 20, 1935, or by any employee or agent of such party or by any person transporting fireworks for such party, shall not be a violation, provided such possession is within the scope of business of the fireworks plant registered under that Act.
(C) Protected areas. No fireworks shall be discharged, ignited or exploded at any point in the city within 600 feet of any hospital, asylum, or infirmary.
(1) Fireworks showers. The use of what are technically known as fireworks showers or any mixture containing potassium chlorate, and sulphur in theaters or public halls is hereby prohibited.
(2) Transportation signals or fuses. Nothing in these regulations shall be construed as prohibiting the manufacture, storage or use of signals or fuses necessary for the safe operation of railroads, trucks, aircraft, or other instrumentalities of transportation.
(Ord. O-4-79, passed 2-2-79; amend. Ord. 90-11, passed 6-19-90; amend. Ord. 90-18, passed 7-17-90)