Keep Me in a Safe Seat

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Keep Me in a Safe Seat

Child Safety Seat Requirements

Children under the age of 8 must be secured in an appropriate child restraint system, more commonly called a safety seat. Child safety seats include infant seats, convertible seats (rear-facing for infants and forward-facing for toddlers) and booster seats that are used with the vehicle lap shoulder belt system. The parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of eight years is responsible for providing a child safety seat to anyone who transports his or her child.
Children weighing more than 40 pounds may be transported in the back seat of a motor vehicle while wearing only a lap belt if the back seat is not equipped with a lap and shoulder belt system.
Children ages 8 years of age or older but under the age of 16 must be secured in a properly adjusted safety belt in any position in the vehicle.
Persons in violation of this law will be subject to a $75 fine for a first offense and are eligible for court supervision if documented proof from a child safety seat technician of a properly installed child restraint system and completion of an instructional course on installation of said restraint system is provided to the court. A subsequent violation is a petty offense with a $200 fine and not eligible for court supervision.

NOTE: According to the Illinois Graduated Driver Licensing System, if the driver is 16 or 17, the passenger seat belt requirements extend to all passengers under the age of 19. Effective January 1, 2012 all passengers, regardless of age or location in the vehicle, will be required to be secured in a seat belt or an appropriately approved child restraint system.

NOTE: Children with physical disabilities that prevent the use of standard safety seats are exempt from the provisions of the Child Passenger Protection Act if the disability is duly certified by a licensed physician.

The Air Bag That Saves Your Life Could Endanger Your Child

Your baby deserves the very best protection in your vehicle. Airbags, when combined with lap/shoulder safety belts, have saved many lives and prevented many injuries in motor vehicle crashes. However, children and airbags do not mix. Airbags could seriously injure or kill an infant riding in the front seat. And remember, the best seat for your child is the back seat!

K.I.S.S. Child Passenger Safety Seat Fitting Stations

Carbondale Driver Services Facility
2516 West Murphysboro Road
Carbondale, IL

Lexington Driver Services Facility
5301 West Lexington
Chicago, IL

Macomb Driver Services Facility
466 Deere Road
Macomb, IL

Marion Driver Services Facility
1905 Rendleman Street
Marion, IL

Melrose Park Facility
1903-05 Mannheim Road
Melrose Park, IL 60160

Niles Driver Services Facility
8261 Golf Road
Niles, IL

Springfield Driver Services Facility
316 N. Klein Street
Springfield, IL

Open on Monday Only. To schedule an appointment call toll free, 1-866-247-0213

Be sure your child is in the appropriate seat for the child's size and weight. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for height and weight guidelines.

Infants

Birth to at least 1 year and at least 20 pounds:

Rear-facing infant seat or convertible seat used rear-facing.

Less than 1 year and 20-35 pounds:

Rear-facing convertible seat - select one recommended for heavier infants.

Never use in a front seat where an airbag is present.

Tightly install child seat in back seat, facing the rear.

Child seat should recline at approximately a 45 degree angle.

Harness straps/slots at or below shoulder level.

Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.

Preschoolers/Toddlers

1 to 4 years and at least 20 pounds up to approximately 40 pounds::

Convertible seat used forward-facing, forward-facing only seat or high-back booster with internal harness.

Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing forward.

Harness straps/slots at or above shoulder level.

Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.

Young Children

4 to 8 years; approximately 40-80 pounds and under
4 ft, 9 in. (57in.) tall:

Belt-positioning booster seat (no back) or high back, belt-positioning booster.

Belt-positioning booster seats are always used with a
vehicle's lap belt and shoulder belts. Never use with lap-only belts.

Booster seats should be used with adult lap and shoulder
belts in the back seat.

Belt should rest snugly across the chest, rests on shoulder;
belt should NEVER be placed under the arm or behind the back.

Lap-belt should rest low across the lap/upper thigh area -
not across the stomach.

Changes to the Child Passenger Protection Act

In 2004, legislation was passed requiring children under the age of 8 (was previously under the age of 4) to be properly fitted and secured in an appropriate approved child restraint system and children ages 8 through 16 be secured by a seat belt. Children weighing more than 40 pounds may be transported in the back seat of a motor vehicle while wearing only a lap belt if the back seat is not equipped with a combination lap and shoulder belt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an appropriate child restraint system?
It is more commonly referred to as a child safety seat. Child safety seats include infant seats, convertible seats (rear facing for infants and forward facing for toddlers) and booster seats.

How do I know if my seat is appropriate for my child?
All child safety seats should have informational stickers on the side of the seat stating weight and height limits for that seat. You should also refer to the child seat instruction manual that came with the seat.

My 7 year old child is too large for her booster seat, what should I do?
Typically, booster seats are for children weighing between 40 and 80 pounds, usually between the ages of 4 and 8years old. There are booster seats available for children weighing over 80 pounds.

Are child safety seats required in taxicabs?
No, commercial vehicles are exempt.

My vehicle has only a lap belt system, what do I do?
If your child is over 40 pounds they may be transported in the back seat without a booster seat if the back seat of your vehicle is only equipped with lap belts. Booster seats should only be used with a lap/shoulder belt combination.

Does this law apply to my 14 year old?
Yes, the Child Passenger Protection Act applies to all children under the age of 16 years old as well as those up to age 19 if the driver is under the age of 18. Children between the ages of 8 and 16 (or 19 if the driver is under the age of 18) years old must be secured in a properly adjusted safety belt in any position in the vehicle. The safest place for any child 12 years and under is in the back seat. Also, keep in mind that Illinois has a primary safety belt law, which means that front seat passengers and the driver must also be properly restrained.

I have a 6 year old who weighs 45 pounds. The back seat of my vehicle has a lap belt only in the middle seat position and lap/shoulder belt combination in the 2 side positions. Can I put my child in the middle position with the lap belt only and no booster seat?
No. If the 2 side positions are available with the lap/shoulder belt system, you must put your child in a booster seat with the lap/ shoulder belt properly secured.

Do the child passenger safety laws apply to my 5 year old child when riding in a RV?
Answer: Yes, any person transporting a child under the age of 8 years old in a recreational vehicle on the roadways, streets or highways of the state of Illinois is responsible for securing him or her in an appropriate child restraint system.