Illinois residents, there is a new proposed law related to everyday activities you often do in your gardens or backyards, such as lighting small recreational fires or using a fire pit at home. Of course, the measure is very controversial because it could make residents ask for permissions and pay small amounts of money for something that was previously considered an everyday activity. So, let’s see what changes for gardens and backyards in Illinois.
Fires in gardens and backyards
The proposal was introduced in Illinois, U.S., with the aim to regulate outdoor fires or ‘’open burns’’. This includes simple recreational campfires or backyard fire pit gatherings.
Basically, residents could be required to obtain a local permit before lighting these types of fires in their own gardens. The money collected from permits would be directed to local fire protection services.
Fines and penalties
Something that has caused many people’s attention is the level of potential penalties. According to the bill, residents who conduct an outdoor burn without a required permit could face fines of up to 100,000 dollars. Do you think this is too much money? Wait! Because you could pay even more (up to 500,000 dollars) if you burn during a “no-burn day,” which is a period when outdoor fires are restricted because of increased fire risk.
As you can imagine, these possible fines have surprised many people and have become one of the main reasons why Illinois residents are critizising the measure. Some residents believe the penalties are too severe for activities that are often part of normal backyard life. I mean, who would be happy to pay that much money?
Who introduced the bill
The bill is known as House Bill 4459 and its formal name is Local Government Open Burn Permit Act. This was introduced by state representative Amy Briel, a democrat from Ottawa.
“This measure addresses that, but goes even further to redirect any money from an individual’s permit or ticketed violation to go right back to the fire department to continue bolstering our local fire protection,” Briel said in the release.
Although the proposal does not technically introduce a tax, it would allow local governments to charge up to five dollars for each authorized burn. Some critics say this feels like a fee on everyday recreation, especially for simple activities that families often enjoy in their gardens.
Differences between local areas
Rules about outdoor fires vary depending on the local area, let’s see some examples:
- In Rockford there are very strict restrictions because most outdoor fires are only allowed if they are used for cooking purposes.
- Some unincorporated areas of Winnebago County allow recreational campfires and gatherings but prohibit burning landscaping waste.
Local community opinions
The proposal has generated strong online reactions, especially in community forums around Peoria. Critics have described the measure as a “campfire” or “fire pit” fee and questioned whether the bill is necessary, since some communities already require permits for certain types of outdoor fires.
However, not everybody thinks this way. A group of people think outdoor fires can be dangerous during dry weather conditions and believe regulations could help prevent serious fire risks.
To sum up
This debate shows how even small, familiar activities can be the start of important conversations about how communities live, relax, and stay safe together. So, next time you think about an ”open burn”, make sure you follow the rules if you don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars…