Published on February 6, 2026 12:53 pm
Last Updated on February 6, 2026 12:53 pm
(REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR DARREN BAILEY {right} WITH LT. GOV. CANDIDATE AARON DEL MAR)
Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey said just when everyone thought governmental overreach in Illinois couldn’t get worse, legislation is being proposed to require permits for campfires.
House Bill 4459 would require individuals who wish to gather around a campfire to secure a permit and pay a fee. The bill allows counties and municipalities to formulate their own regulations regarding burn permits and set up an online system for residents to find local requirements. It also introduces significant penalties, with fines reaching up to $100,000 for burning without a local permit and up to $500,000 for burning on designated “no-burn days” without a permit.
Bailey said, “While Illinois families are struggling to pay the highest property taxes in the nation, our leaders are focused on making sure government is involved in your next campfire.” He said his Blueprint for Illinois is about empowering Illinois citizens and ending what he termed the “culture of corruption” in Illinois.
