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Now that the summer months are upon us, it’s more important than ever to keep your children safe on the highway. While parents are expected to know how to keep their children safe, Illinois car seat laws can be a little confusing. Instead of having to navigate it on your own, we have everything you need to know below.
It’s not just about staying safe but also about following the law, keeping your loved ones and your kids safe no matter where you roam. If you’re not sure about what the laws state or how you can abide by them, we’ve got a breakdown of all that you need to know including some suggestions on how you can find the best fit for your kid.
Illinois Car Seat Laws: The Basics
Though there are specific laws, you can also find a very basic set of rules that all must abide by. To give you a general idea about how to keep your child safe, the law states that all children below the age of eight must be safely secured in a child restraint system.
The state does not offer any height or weight suggestions as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Still, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to know the laws and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations while driving that could keep your child safer while they’re riding along.
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Rear Facing Car Seat
Rear-facing car seats are said to be the safest form of transportation for infants and young children. When you drive your baby home from the hospital, the first ride that they will take is in a rear-facing car seat. Though much depends on the height and weight of your child, the state of Illinois states that children under the age of two, and also less than 40 pounds, should stay in a rear-facing car seat.
Forward Facing Seats
When it comes to the law in Illinois, there are no sections that pertained to front-facing seats. Instead, there are some recommendations from the National Highway and Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) that state all children from three to four years old should be in a forward-facing car seat. Most of the time, children can stay there until they are seven years old or they meet the recommended manufacturer’s details as listed per every car seat.
Booster Seats
As far as booster seats, these are usually for older infants or children that are taller or weigh more. It’s recommended that you switch your child to a booster seat at the age of 7 until they are either 12 years of age or they meet the recommended height and weight to move to the front seat.
Even if your kiddos want to move to the front, keep them strapped in the back as long as you can, as it’s one of the safest ways to travel.
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Children and Safety Belts
When you strap your kids in for a trip, they usually are buckled in with the straps from the seat you’re using. When they get older and get into a booster seat or start sitting in a regular seat, they will start to use a normal safety belt. The age at which safety belts start to become safe is around 8 years old, though it just depends on your child’s build.
Before strapping your child into a safety belt, always check that the seat belt wraps around them correctly and that they are sitting in a comfortable and safe position in the seat of your car. Plus, try to keep them out of the front seat until they are at least 13 years old, avoiding any dangers that could come from an impact with the airbag.
Your kiddos are probably itching to make it to the front seat, seeing it as a sign of growing up but, whatever you do, don’t move them up too quickly and urge them to stay in a safe position as long as they can so that they avoid getting seriously hurt.
Fitting Stations
If you have questions about your car seat, and are wondering whether or not you have the right set up for your child, there are a few places that you can go to check it out. When you visit a fitting station, knowledgeable individuals will help you find the correct seating arrangement and make sure that your child is strapped in safely and sitting in a seat that meets their needs.
Some popular fitting stations include police stations, fire stations, and even some hospitals, each of them having some kind of help to get your set upright. You can also check out a site like the Children’s Hospital, which has a ton of suggestions about how you can get all the information you need about proper seating and setup.
Before You Setup, Register
The State of Illinois, like many states, urges parents to register their car seats with the NHTSA. This offers a huge advantage to parents, letting them know if there are any recalls or faulty parts on their children’s car seats. With everyone working together, children will be safer on the road and parents can rest assured that their children are safely strapped in, no matter where they go.
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Know the Laws and Follow
Before you take off with your kids, you need to know the car seat laws. While a lot of them don’t offer specific information about age, many of the manufacturers of car seats do. As a parent, it is your responsibility to make sure that your kid is strapped up correctly, and you could face fines otherwise.
Instead of dealing with fines, it’s better to know your rights. On top of that, you’ll feel safer knowing that your little one is strapped in and safe when you hit the road. The state of Illinois, like many other states, has a set of laws but it’s up to you to understand how to use them for you and your child.
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FAQs
Effective Jan. 1, 2019, Illinois law will require children under age 2 to be properly secured in a rear-facing child restraint system unless they weigh more than 40 pounds or are more than 40 inches tall. Children must remain rear-facing until age 2.
When can a child sit without a booster seat in Illinois? ›
In Illinois, by law children who have outgrown their child safety seat must be properly restrained in a booster seat until they are at least 8 years old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends booster seat use until the adult belt fits properly – which could be as old as 12 years for some children.
What is the height and weight for a booster seat in Illinois? ›
Be sure to follow manufacturer minimum and maximum size requirements for your booster seat – most manufacturers now require a minimum of 4 years old, 40″ tall and 40 pounds. Most children do not fit properly in an adults seatbelt until 10-12 years old, when they pass the 5-step test.
What are 4 common mistakes people make with car seats? ›
Common mistakes include routing the seat belt through the wrong belt path, failing to use a top tether for a forward-facing car seat, installing a rear-facing infant seat in the front passenger seat, and using both the seat belt and the lower anchors at the same time.
When can babies face forward in 2021? ›
That's why the AAP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NHTSA all say children should stay in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible, not just until age 2. Infants, toddlers and preschoolers have less mature bones and connective tissues that are at greater risk for serious injury.
How old do you have to be to stay home alone in Illinois? ›
As Illinois law stands today, parents can be charged with neglect if they leave children under 14-years-old home alone – even for a short time.
Can a child ride in a 2 seater car in Illinois? ›
If there are no back seats in a vehicle, Illinois law allows a child to ride in a two-seater, but only if they are properly restrained according to the law and the front airbag is turned off. A child restraint violation can result in a person incurring a fine of $75.
What is a backless booster seat? ›
Backless Boosters
These are specialized cushions children sit on. The booster raises the child up off the vehicle seat, leading to a better seat belt fit. Backless boosters all have seat belt guides which keep the seat belt over the correct place on the child's body.
How much should a baby weigh before forward facing? ›
Most convertible car seats can be used in the rear-facing position until a child reaches the weight limit, typically 40 to 50 pounds. At that point, the seat can be converted into a forward-facing car seat. These seats are larger and designed to stay installed in the vehicle.
How much do you have to weigh to sit in front seat in Illinois? ›
-Any person transporting a child is responsible for appropriately securing the child. -8 years or older but under 16 must be secured in a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt or child restraint system. -Children over 40lbs can be seated in the back seat with a lap or shoulder belt.
The manufacturer may allow a towel, blanket, or their specific brand of seat protector underneath the seat. The manual may specify that nothing should be used under the car seat at all.
What is the most common problem involving car seats? ›
Here are some of the most common mistakes caregivers make when installing car seats.
- Not matching the seat to the child's weight or age. ...
- Not installing it tightly enough. ...
- Prematurely turning the seat to the forward-facing position. ...
- Incorrectly using the safety-seat straps. ...
- Not reading all the instructions.
If you're placing only one car seat in the back seat, install it in the center of the seat — if a good fit is possible. Placing the car seat in the center minimizes the risk of injury during a crash.
Can my 1 year old sit in a front facing car seat? ›
Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12. Your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat.
When can I turn my toddler forward-facing? ›
While 1 year and 20 pounds used to be the standard for when to flip car seats around, most experts now recommend using rear-facing child seats until children outgrow the top weight and height recommendations of the car seat manufacturer. This means your child may be rear-facing until well beyond their second birthday.
How much does a 2 year old weigh? ›
Wondering how much should a 2-year-old weigh? Average weight for a 24-month-old is 26.5 pounds for girls and 27.5 pounds for boys, according to the World Health Organization. How tall is the average 2-year-old? Average height for a 24-month-old baby is 33.5 inches for girls and 34.2 inches for boys.
Can I leave my 11 year old home alone for an hour in Illinois? ›
“Under Illinois law, that is perfectly legal to leave that child home alone as long as it's a reasonable amount of time and you took care of their health and wellbeing,” he said.
Can I leave my 12 year old home alone in Illinois? ›
It's illegal for parents in Illinois leave a child under the age of 14 home alone, but the nation's strictest standard for giving parents that choice might change. House Bill 4305 changes that age from 14 to 12.
Can a 14 year old stay home alone overnight in Illinois? ›
The age limit for most states is between 8 and 12 years old, if there's an age limit set at all. In Illinois, the age is 14. That means any parent who leaves a child younger than 14 home alone or unattended outside can be found guilty of neglect, though that's not always enforced.
Are booster seats illegal? ›
So are booster seats illegal? The simple answer is no, but there are different rules depending on the type of seat and the height or weight of the child.
Backless booster seat requirements
Here are the general requirements for backless booster seats: Backless booster seat age requirements: From the time kids surpass the weight or height limits allowed by their car seat to about 8 to 12 years of age (depending on the child's size).
Can an 8 year old sit in a backless booster seat? ›
When your child reaches 15 months, their neck will be stronger and it'll now be safe to mount their car seat facing forward. Children weighing more than 22kg and taller than 125cm can use a backless booster seat. Children of 12 years old or taller than 135cm do not need to use a child seat.
Can my 7 year old just use a booster seat? ›
Children must normally use a child car seat until they're 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first. Children over 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seat belt. You can choose a child car seat based on your child's height or weight.
Does car seat go behind driver or passenger? ›
Install in the Backseat
The car seat should always be installed in the back seat. That is the safest spot for your baby. If you can, put the car seat in the center seat. If not, it is fine behind either the driver or passenger side.
Is rear-facing safer after 2? ›
Research shows it's far safer to keep them facing the back until age 2. By Emily A. Thomas, Ph.
Why are rear-facing seats better? ›
A rear-facing car seat will absorb most of the crash forces and supports the head, neck and spine. When children ride forward-facing, their heads - which for toddlers are disproportionately large and heavy - are thrown forward, possibly resulting in spine and head injuries.
Are lap belts legal in Illinois? ›
Illinois law requires all drivers and passengers (front and back seat) age 8 and older to wear safety belts even if the vehicle is equipped with air bags. Passengers under age 8 must be secured in an appropriate child restraint system as covered by the Child Passenger Protection Act.
Is it safe to use a pool noodle under a car seat? ›
This is a quote from the Fllo instruction manual: A tightly rolled towel may be placed under the recline foot at the vehicle seat crease if needed to achieve the correct recline angle. Do NOT use pool noodles to adjust the recline angle as this may affect the stability of the installation.
How do you keep a child's head from falling in a car seat? ›
“To prevent the head from falling forward, have harness straps snug, the chest plate at the level of the armpits and the seat reclined appropriately,” advises Dr.
Why does my baby's head fall forward in car seat? ›
If baby's head is flopping forward, the most likely culprit is the angle of the car seat. Make absolutely sure car seats are installed correctly. If they are, they should help secure children's heads. Neck braces and other head apparatus are not tested with peer-reviewed data.
Federal Safety Standards and Chest Clips:
Believe it or not, chest clips are not required on U.S. carseats by FMVSS 213. That's because they're really not necessary for crash protection as long as the harness is snug and positioned over the child's shoulders.
Can car seats go side by side? ›
Instead, the decision should be based on other factors: Type of vehicle: In some cars, two car seats will not fit side-by-side in the back seat. In these situations, it is most important to have each car seat safely installed, even if they are placed on opposite ends.
Can you put 3 car seats in a row? ›
The optimum vehicles for installing more than two car seats are those with captain's chairs and a third row seat. Vehicle models that work best with three car seats in the rear seat are: Minivans; full-size and midsize SUVs; and full-size cars.
Why is the seat behind the driver the safest? ›
Away from the most common side of impact, the rear passenger seat offers the advantage of giving you easy access to your child, with the restraint often being pavement side of the vehicle, away from the flow of traffic. It's still a safe location for the car seat to be as it is in the rear of the vehicle.
Where is the safest place in the back seat for a car seat? ›
Where is the safest place to put a car seat? A study published in Pediatrics, showed for children newborn to 3 years old and all installs being equal, sitting in the center rear seat is 43% safer than sitting on the side in the back. The rear center position will be the furthest from any impact in any type of crash.
Do all car seats need to be anchored? ›
Booster seats heavier than 2kg must be anchored to an anchorage point.
