• Illinois vehicle safety for childrenchild in the car image by Natalia Pavlova from Fotolia.com
  
  Infants and young children have a greater risk of injury in the event of a car accident because of their smaller weight and height. While each state has child restraint laws in place, variances exist in areas such as weight and height requirements as well as age. Parents should keep in mind that most laws represent a balance between best practices recommended by safety experts and what the state believes it can reasonably enforce, so a particular state's law might not reflect optimum suggestions. Illinois primarily bases its requirements on age.
  
  

Children Under 8

• Any child under eight must ride in a child safety seat appropriate for his or her size and weight. This can include convertible car seats, infant seats, and booster seats.
  
  

Children 8 to 15

• Any child between 8 and 15 must wear a seat belt at all times, regardless of where the child is sitting in the vehicle.
  
  

Children over 40 Pounds

• Only children weighing more than 40 pounds may ride in the backseat of a car providing only lap belts.
  
  

Fines

• Failure to properly restrain children can result in a fine of $50 for the first offense. The violator can waive the fine upon presenting proof of ownership of an approved car seat. Subsequent violations carry a $100 fine.