The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that statewide car seat checks are being held as part of National Child Passenger Safety Week through Sept. 29. IDOT, the Illinois State Police and the secretary of state are partnering with dozens of agencies to check car seats and educate caregivers on appropriate selection, installation and use.
Recent changes to Illinois law will require children traveling in Illinois to remain rear-facing until age 2. Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed legislation supporting recommendations of experts and advocates to keep children in rear-facing car seats as long as possible. This law will take effect Jan. 1, 2019.
Rear-facing car seats offer children the best protection in the event of a crash. A car seat’s hard plastic shell is engineered to absorb crash forces, reducing the likelihood of serious injury to the head, neck and spine. Turning a child forward-facing too soon can substantially increase the likelihood of injury.
There are some in our area: http://www.buckleupillinois.org/2018%20CPS%20Week/schedule2018_091318%20(003).pdf