ISP Director Sam W. Nolen said, "Each year in Illinois, thousands of children sustain serious injuries in motor vehicle crashes because they were not properly restrained. The Illinois State Police is committed to reducing the number of these incidents through enforcement and education during National Child Passenger Safety Week and throughout the year."
 

Illinois law requires that every child age 4-15 riding in a vehicle must wear a seat belt. Children under age four must be secured in a child seat.
 

The Illinois State Police offers the following guidelines for securing children in safety seats:
 

Rear-facing child seats should be used for children from birth to at least 20 pounds and at least one year of age. Forward-facing child seats should be used for children more than 20 pounds and at least one year of age to about 40 pounds and four years of age. Use of booster seats is to be used for children age four to at least age eight and under 4'9"tall. Children at least eight years of age or over 4' 9" tall must be secured in a seat belt. Director Nolen encouraged parents and guardians to have their children’s safety seats inspected for proper installation by contacting the nearest Illinois State Police headquarters.