Illinois House passes bill to outlaw the release of 50 or more balloons

Posted on April 22, 2021
Balloons, said sponsoring State Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake), are bad for the environment — including farm fields, wildlife, and aquatic life. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Up, up, and away? Not so fast.

A bill which has passed the Illinois House would limit to 49 or fewer the number of balloons you could launch at one time.

Balloons, said sponsoring State Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake), are bad for the environment — including farm fields, wildlife, and aquatic life.

And, Yingling says, such a launch is blamed for a recent power outage in Champaign which blacked out more than a thousand customers.

Revelers would have to be satisfied with 49 or fewer balloons, if this bill becomes law.

HB 418 has passed the House, 90-23-1.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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