Jul 2, 2009 6:14 pm US/Central
Economic Crunch Forces Some Towns To Cut Fireworks
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
What would July 4th weekend be without fireworks?
Fireworks on the Fourth of July may be a tradition in America, but it's a costly one. Some Chicago-area communities are facing a holiday without the sparkle because of budget cuts.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports shows can start at about $20,000, so this year, with many municipalities facing layoffs and cutbacks, fireworks are a luxury some cities just can't afford.
The fireworks show will go on in Chicago, just like last year, but in North Aurora, where the skies will be dark this holiday.
"It's not going to be the same. What's the Fourth of July without fireworks?" one resident said.
The city will be without fireworks because it couldn't afford the $20,000 price tag.
"Our board decided that it is a tough economic times. We are down in revenue, in not only sales tax but other tax revenue, so they felt that we would not have our shoot this year," North Aurora Mayor Dale Berman said.
North Aurora's doing the next best thing. It will give $4,000 to its neighbor to the south – Aurora – and the communities will share a celebration.
North Aurora is just one of several communities canceling fireworks this year. Everybody blames the economy.
Gurnee, Elgin, Berwyn, North Riverside and Harvey have all cut their celebrations. Others are joining forces. For the first time, Elmhurst, and Wood Dale will contribute to the event in Bensenville.
Workers are getting the stadium in Joliet ready for Saturday night's celebration, but fireworkes there were almost canceled. The city couldn't afford it, but then the residents rallied together.
"People were very generous. The businesses were very generous. As I say, the sent in everything from $1 to $100, along with notes saying 'we've got to keep this tradition going,'" Russ Slinkard of the Joliet Chamber of Commerce said.
"Fireworks are part of the Fourth of July," Robert Svarz said. "We always gotta have them."
Svarz is one of the many who helped raise $22,000 to save Joliet's fireworks.
"This has been going on since I was a kid. I wanted to see it continue for my grandkids and all the little kids who aren't even here yet. It's part of being American," Svarz said.
While there are a number of cities and towns canceling fireworks, there are just as many where the show will go on.
In fact, initially, there were news reports that the fireworks show in Woodridge would be canceled. Someone stole the town's fireworks, but the goods were recovered and the celebration will take place as scheduled.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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