What is the current legal status of rocketry in the the Chicago area?
Before flying on any park district, school or forest preserve property, you should check to see if any local ordinances exist which prohibit rocket flying. NIRA members have experienced confusion among public official mixing model rockets up with fireworks, and virtually all park districts have ordinances banning the latter. Make sure the propery owners understand you’re flying model rockets and not fireworks. The Villages of Wheaton and Glen Ellyn prohibit rockets in all their parks. Cook County Forest Preserve do indeed have an ordinance specifically banning model rocket flying. If caught by the FPD Police, you will be ticketed and fined. Several NIRA members have had unfortunate experiences of this type, and ended up having to pay the fine. There is no leeway in the process; Estes Industries has made several attempts to get this ordinance changed, but with no luck thus far. We recommend you avoid Cook Country Forest Preserve properties, and seek out other launch sites if you can’t w
