Illinois State Police Promote Child Passenger Safety Week

Springfield, IL – In response to recent traffic tragedies, the Illinois State Police (ISP) is using Child Passenger Safety Week, held from September 21 to September 27, 2026, to stress the critical necessity of properly securing children in vehicles.

According to the Illinois State Police, recent crashes in the state highlight the fatal consequences of failing to use appropriate restraints. On September 6, 2026, a crash on I-57 in Cook County resulted in the death of an infant and injuries to four other children, none of whom were restrained.

On September 12, 2026, an additional tragedy occurred in Ogle County when a rollover crash on I-39 killed a child who was among three unrestrained minors in the vehicle. State law in Illinois mandates that children under age eight must be secured in an appropriate restraint system.

Furthermore, children under the age of two are required to ride in rear-facing seats unless they meet specific height or weight criteria. ISP officials emphasize that children should remain in each stage of safety seat—rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster—as long as the manufacturer's limits allow.

To assist families, ISP troopers who are certified as Child Passenger Safety Technicians provide ongoing education and conduct free safety checks at various locations across the state. These efforts are designed to ensure parents and caregivers are selecting and installing the correct equipment for their children’s specific size and age.

For residents seeking more information on current laws or needing to find a certified technician in their area, the Illinois State Police direct the public to their Traffic Safety website and the Safe Kids National certification portal. Troopers remain dedicated to promoting child passenger safety through consistent community engagement and rigorous enforcement of restraint laws year-round.

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