And of course there will be illegal fireworks displays everywhere. Yippee...not!

I am begging here: Keep fireworks out of residential areas. Dogs and cats are absolutely terrified of the loud noises. They will jump fences, run into the streets, and do all kinds of bad behaviors as a result of the Boom Booms. If you have one ounce of humanity, you will keep the fireworks out of your own yard or street.

Last year I didn't live down here during the fourth of July. Are illegal fireworks a big problem in the area? This is the first I'm hearing of them as a formidable concern.

There are certain areas in Homewood where folks feel they are exempt to the illegal fireworks laws and enjoy lighting up very load m80's and roman candles. In my area this is primarily along Ridge Road between Riegel and Loomis. Very annoying and very upsetting to our animals.
Also - omitted from the list....Glenwood is having fireworks at Glenwoodie Golf Course this year. Not sure how big it will be since it was cancelled last year.

I LOVE the Park Forest Fireworks in Central Park!!!

As long as the "illegal" fireworks are done on the 4th and not after I really do not see the big deal about it. I know people abuse it and its days before and days after but really on the 4th? Whats the big deal? As for your pets turn up the t.v. a little or turn on some music, its good for you. You only live life once why complain about one night a year.

Something needs to be done! Our neighborhood (Southgate) sounds like a WW2 movie days before the 4th and after. With the parched lawns I am very concerned about fire. You have to witness it to believe it. Not just little firecrackers either, I'm talking M100s and larger! Plus aerial stuff blowing up left and right and the duds that end up blowing up at tree level. There are several folks on Page that blow them up until the wee hours of the morning!

Melissa, I know its the 4th etc but there is a severe drought in the area. Plus there is no way a TV can drown that out! Ive got a megawatt surround system and you can hear it over that. Plus just about every dog is scared $%&*less over the fireworks.

Get off my lawn!

On another note, Orland Hills will be shooting off their fireworks during their Party in the Park Saturday night. More details here: https://www.facebook.com/orlandhills.partyinthepark

The neighbors who blast their music in their backyard everyday and night when the weather is decent are generally the same neighbors that light illegal fireworks in their yard or on their street. Just plain rude and selfish.

(I hadn't even thought about the veterans, I must confess. How awful it must be for them!)

You forgot to mention the fireworks at Glenwoodie Golf course!! We did get some rain, however I don't know if it was enough to alleviate the fire hazard. If anyone shoots off fireworks and ends up starting a fire, it could be a disaster.

Karen, I live in the same vicenity as you, and the fireworks being set off is pretty loud and obnoxious. Can't believe the police ignore it.

I'll never forget the year an M-80 came sailing over our roof, into our backyard, and exploded less than five feet from my face. I was burned, and I couldn't hear for three days. It was terrifying, and I was angry. At the time I had young children, and I shuddered to think about what could have happened if I'd had my baby in my arms. I went across the street and let loose on the people shooting off the bombs with my singed hair and burned face and arms. I'd be afraid to do that now. Back then though, they apologized, packed up, and went inside.

Does anyone know if Thornton is having their fireworks show this year? They usually shoot them off over the quarry....nice echo effect.

Don't forget that sparklers reach over 1000 degrees! Those little metal sticks leave a nasty on a kids hand.

Get a life people, It's the same whiners complaining every year!!! It's one day It's been going on for decades!!! Deal with it you party poopers

It's not "one day". Fireworks have already been going off for 3 days and will continue even after the 4th. I have had holes burned in lawn furniture,debris in my yard, a terrified dog and a husband who has to go to work @4:00AM. My point is that it is illegal, so let the police go out and write tickets. It should be a good moneymaker.

I cant believe how many people are whining over this fireworks issue.I understand the person with the incident involving a injury,but otherwise just get over it.To me the 4th of July is a important holiday.Let the responsible people have fun.And why doesnt Illinois just legalize them and tax them and make money off it?Obviously having to go to Indiana doesnt stoo people from buying them!!!

Lots of luck going to a Homewood village meeting. Our milktoast village manager is spineless, and unless the board thinks it up, its not valid. They haven't even been cutting down all the Dead Ash trees yet. There are 6 on my block alone. And they have the nerve to pay someone $32,000 to paint pictures on the sides of building!!

remember the guy that blew his head off checking on his fireworks in cal city,so stupid and tragic,i dont want people blowing them off around my house,i wont call cops,i will just go and tell them to knock it off.i dont want my house or anybody other neighbors house going on fire.my dogs are not fearful but so many just are about to die from fear,go see them at bloom they are great

For the dogs, try Thundershirts to keep them calm. They work wonders. An amazing product. More pets are lost and harmed on the 4th than any other day of the year.

John Doe is obviously counting denial, inebriation, confusion, and agitation, none of which have been granted official statehood.

Wow, police ignore fireworks on the 4th!! I can't believe that they would ignore 1 of the probably thousand they get on this day!! Unbelievable! I think they should completely ignore the serious calls like shots fired, or ignore the drunk drivers, or other hundreds of disturbances due to the holiday and really enforce "illegal" fireworks that are legal in 44 states. How about if you have a problem with your neighbor then politely ask them to stop, instead of relying on the police for something this ridiculous.

Why do the police enforce some laws but not others? If I'm not wearing a seatbelt, I am not putting anyone in danger (except myself) but will get a ticket. If someone shoots flaming, exploding projectiles into the air, the chances of people and property being damaged is far greater but this can be done with law enforcement turning a blind eye.

Ok...44 sounds better, but that includes Illinois as allowing fireworks. Here is a link to a graphic that makes it reasonably clear

http://www.buzzfeed.com/scott/state-fireworks-map

Yes, I'm begging too. Please please please stop it! just stop it! There's not enough anti anxiety meds for me. 2 years ago we had a fire in our house, 2 days after the fire, there goes allllll the fireworks, loud, within arms reach, one right after the other. Started to smell them through our fireplace, and all I kept thinking was Oh my god, the house is still on fire 2 days later, it's smoldering somewhere. My husband had to physically restrain me after I ran around the house inside and out looking for any sign of a fire. I was in a daze, in shock, I still shake. So for pets and those humans who just can't deal with this. And why at 1:00 in the morning for hte last 4 nights. Why?????? Even last night in between the heavy rain falls and lightning, they were setting them off. I couldn't believe it.

Please, neighbors, fireworks are loud, dangerous (also often combined with drinking alcohol) and illegal. I do not want the noise and danger in my neighborhood. Aren't they better and safer at a publicly-held event?

I worry about the squirrels in their nests in the trees also :(

To John Doe:
I live in a municipality that during one 4th of July weekend they were making seat belt stops. I know more people that have gotten tickets for not wearing seatbelts than have had for blowing off illegal fireworks. I agree there is a difference between the two and I'm sure the police are swamped with calls. However, if municipalities actually wanted to do anything about stopping fireworks, they could gear up and get it done.

Fireworks on July 3rd at dusk
Manteno Sportsmen's Club
851 N. Main St.
Manteno, IL 60950
(815) 468-8635

Park Forest will have fireworks this year in a different location:
http://www.villageofparkforest.com/index.php?src=events&srctype=profile&refno=12500

Any suggestions of good spot to see the Thornton fireworks but escape the crowd? Anyone ever been?