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Health & Fitness

Illinois bans skylanterns- 4 days before Skylantern Festival.

Illinois bans skylanterns- 4 days before Suicide Prevention Services Skylantern Festival. 

On October 6th, we launched 240 skylanterns over Yorkville, IL. All proceeds went to Suicide Prevention Services. 

On June 1st, we planned on duplicating our event. www.starsofhopefestival.com

On May 28th, we learned that skylanterns are now banned in the state of Illinois. 

We spoke to the Illinois Fire Marshal about our event being grandfathered in. He still denied us. Being that skylanterns are considered to be "fireworks" we asked for a private permit and having the presence of a pyrotechnician at our festival. We were still denied. 

The city of Yorkville continues to stand behind us and support our efforts. Mayor Gary Golinski is attending this festival with his family. 

We launched in October and it was wonderful and safe. We have event insurance. We have skylantern chasers so we know exactly where the rice paper lands so we can tidy it up. This is a responsible event. Moreover, it's hugely meaningful to our families who have lost a loved one to suicide. 

We are a small non-profit. We don't have money. We have a ton of survivors who have lost someone they have loved to suicide. We are trying to raise awareness and money so we can keep doing what we do- trying our best to prevent suicide. Offering support and counseling. www.spsamerica.org

I can't jeopardize SPS being sued and losing this organization that the community so desperately needs. We are one of seven agencies like this in the United States. Too few. 

The Governor of Illinois could grant us permission. Help me in acquiring this permission. Email Governor Quinn: http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/Pages/ContacttheGovernor.aspx

Our festival will still go on. June 1st. 8pm. Yorkville High School Football Field. We hope to launch lanterns, but have legal alternative arranged. 

Thank you. www.spsamerica.org and www.starsofhopefestival.com

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