Child Passenger Safety Requirements

We are happy to provide Child seat or booster for the child passengers, however it is the responsibility of the main passenger to pre-order an appropriate child seat or booster for the age of the child. We have no way of knowing what age our passengers are going to be therefore please specify which one you would like to have ordered in Special Instruction field during the ordering process. You are very welcome to bring your own child seat at no additional charge.

Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act

The Child Passenger Protection Act requires that all children under age 8 be properly secured in an appropriate child safety restraint system. This includes the use of booster seats, which must only be used with a lap/shoulder safety belt. If the back seat of the vehicle is not equipped with lap/shoulder type safety belts, a child weighing more than 40 pounds may be transported in the back seat without a booster seat, secured with a lap belt only.

As of January, 1, 2019 the Child Passenger Protection Act is amended to include the requirement for children under age 2 years to be properly secured in a rear-facing child restraint system unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or are 40 or more inches tall.

Child Safety Seat Guidelines

Always read and follow the child safety seat and vehicle manufacturer’s instructions for installation and height/weight guidelines.

Newborn-2 years

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.

Children riding rear-facing may use a rear-facing only car seat or a convertible car seat installed rear-facing. Always follow the car seat manufacturers harnessing instructions and height and weight limitations for a rear-facing installation.

• Never install a rear-facing safety seat in front of an active airbag.
• Follow the recline indicator for rear-facing installation.
• The child’s head may need at least 1 inch or more below the top of the safety seat when rear-facing.
• Use the harness straps/slots at or below shoulder level when rear-facing.
• Harness straps must be snug on the child; the harness clip should be at armpit level.

Ages 2-4 Child seat

Children should remain in a rear-facing safety seat for as long as possible, or until they are at the upper height or weight limit of the seat. When a child out- grows a rear-facing safety seat, he or she may transition to a forward-facing seat with a harness system.

• Use the internal harness system until the upper height or weight limit is reached.
• Use harness straps/slots at or above shoulder level when forward-facing.
• Harness straps must be snug on the child; the harness clip should be at armpit level.
• The top of the child’s ears should not be above the top of the car seat when forward-facing.

Ages 4-8 Child seat

Children should be secured in a forward-facing safety seat with an internal harness system until they reach the upper height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. When a child outgrows the forward-facing seat, he or she may transition to a belt-positioning booster seat.

• Booster seats must be used with the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt, never just a lap belt.
• The lap belt should lie low across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should rest snugly across the shoulder and chest, not across the neck or face.
• The top of the child’s ears should not be above the top of the back of a booster seat with a back.
• If using a backless booster seat, the vehicle’s head restraint must be positioned properly.
• Secure the booster seat with the vehicle’s seat belt when not in use.

Ages 8-12 booster

Children should stay in a belt-positioning booster seat until they are tall enough to properly fit in an adult lap/shoulder belt.

• The vehicle lap belt must lie low across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should rest snugly across the shoulder and chest, not across the neck or face.
• The child’s back and hips should be against the back of the vehicle seat, without slouching.
• Knees should bend easily over the front edge of the vehicle seat with the feet flat on the floor.

The law requires that the parents or guardians of a child under 8 provide the appropriate restraints for anyone who drives with the child in the car. Parents or guardians who fail to comply with the law may have to pay a fine, which is generally less than $100 for the first offense.