Alderperson Lynn Florian | City of Waukegan
Alderperson Lynn Florian | City of Waukegan
The Waukegan City Council plans to ban the sale or distribution of balloons inflated with helium or other lighter-than-air substances to protect the city's environment and Lake Michigan during its August 5 meeting. Alderperson Lynn Florian proposed the ban.
According to the Waukegan City Council's August 5 meeting agenda, a person violating the ordinance will be guilty of a civil infraction and subject to a fine of not more than $250. A business found to be in violation of the ordinance on more than two occasions may be subject to the suspension or revocation of its business license.
The prohibition will not apply to balloons given as gifts by individuals, according to the same agenda.
The ban was proposed because the intentional release of helium and other lighter-than-air balloons creates litter far from the release site, according to the Waukegan City Council's August 5 meeting agenda. It also endangers the health of wildlife on both land within the city and in the waters of Lake Michigan.
Alerts Sign-up