SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WJPF) A bill currently in the Illinois House would make more fireworks legal in Illinois.

HB 2996 would make “ground sparklers,” or fireworks that sit on the ground and emit a shower of sparks, legal for consumer use in the state. The bill recently passed out of the Consumer Protection Committee.

The committee’s Republican spokeswoman, Rep. Norine Hammond of Macomb, says these fireworks are already legal in 46 other states.

“When I think about all of the money that is being spent out of state, I think it’s really concerning. Not to say that they’re not going to continue to go there, but it may dissuade some if they have an alternative like this for some sense of enjoyment.”

But opponents to the bill, like Brookfield Fire Chief Jim Adams, says ground sparklers are just too dangerous.

“Especially the ones that are multiple devices that are going off simultaneously. You think it’s done, you let it sit there for a while, and then typically, you’re going to bend over that device and you’re going to get a face full of sparks if it decides it hasn’t finished. That’s my major concern.”

Even if the bill is passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker, other fireworks, like firecrackers, bottle rockets, or roman candles, would still be outlawed.

HB2996 is sponsored by State Representative David Severin (R-Benton).