Illinois Infant Safety Alert Today: 1,000 Buses Carry Sleep Message

Chicago, IL – Parents and caregivers across Illinois will see infant safe sleep reminders on public transportation throughout October as state agencies expand a safety campaign to approximately 1,000 buses.

According to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the agency is partnering with the Illinois Department of Public Health and Safe Kids Illinois for Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month, promoting the message “give them room to breathe.”

Officials said the placards could reach tens of thousands of Illinois residents each day. The campaign focuses on reducing infant deaths connected to unsafe sleep practices, including bed sharing, soft bedding and placing babies to sleep outside a crib or bassinet.

State officials reported that 124 Illinois infants lost their lives before their first birthday in 2025 and said accidental suffocation remains a serious concern.

The campaign builds on a partnership with Pace Bus, which has displayed safe sleep messages on its 669-bus Chicago-area fleet since 2019. This year, the effort expands to transit systems serving Rockford, DeKalb, Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana and communities throughout portions of southern Illinois and Winnebago County.

Health officials are urging caregivers to follow American Academy of Pediatrics guidance by putting infants alone, on their backs and in their own safe sleep space.

Babies should sleep on a firm, flat mattress with a fitted sheet in a crib, bassinet or portable play yard. Pillows, blankets, bumper pads and toys should be removed from the sleep area.

Officials also warn against placing infants to sleep in adult beds, on couches or chairs, in swings or in car seats except while traveling.

Additional safe sleep information and printable campaign materials are available through the Illinois DCFS Sleep Safety webpage.