Fireworks: All You Need to Know

Fourth of July weekend is upon us, and we're here to make sure you don't blow off your hands, blow a good photo opportunity or blow over the legal limit.

Whether you want to know why you can't set off your own fireworks, where to see a local show and how to photograph that show, read below.

Fireworks Illegal in Illinois

You can have sparklers, smoke bombs and party poppers, but the fun stops there. Fireworks are illegal in Illinois, and if you're caught with them the penalty can range from a small fine to nearly a year in prison.

Deputy Chief Bob Pawlisz of the New Lenox Police Department said that locally, there is a $25 fine if you're caught with some smaller fireworks, such as bottlerockets or firecrackers. But if you have the larger, industrial-like stuff that goes boom, there's a fine of up to $750 and you could possibly be charged with a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of 364 days in Will County Jail.

Fourth of July Safety Tips

Silver Cross Hospital offered a bunch of , including some powerful numbers about firework-related injuries and drunken driving. 

There are about 8,500 firework-related injuries each year in the U.S., 2,000 of which are eye injuries. And although sparklers are legal here, they account for three-quarters of all firework injuries in preschoolers.

“It's really a lot safer to go to a professional show at one of the many area park districts,” said Daniel Checco, Medical Director for the Silver Cross Free-Standing Emergency Care Center in Homer Glen. “By letting trained experts light the fireworks, all you have to do is sit there and enjoy the show.”

New Lenox Fireworks Show

will take place at the New Lenox , 1 Veterans Parkway, on Monday, July 4, at 7 p.m. starting with Valid Proof, a blues and rock band. The New Lenox Lions Club 55th annual raffle winners will be drawn at 8:25 p.m. followed by the Joliet American Legion Band at 8:30 p.m. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m.

There will be free parking at the Metra parking lot. Shuttle service to and from this lot will be provided again this year starting at 6:30 p.m.

If you can, bring non-perishable foods to the concert. The village for the New Lenox Township food pantry, which has been seeing a record-high number of visitors since summer began.

Looking for other this weekend? We put together a guide of parades, fireworks and more in the Southland.

How to Photograph Fireworks

Capturing fireworks on camera is a challenge that can be mastered easily with the right equipment and settings on your camera.  Here is a short tutorial to help you  capture the rockets' red glare this Fourth of July.  

Equipment needed:

• Camera: Either point-and-shoot or an SLR.
• Tripod: To keep the camera steady and prevent motion blur.
• Flashlight:  To see the camera settings in the dark.
• Wireless Trigger: Not necessary but it helps to prevent camera shake.

Head over to Rochester Patch for photos and more step-by-step advice on .