What age must a child be to sit in a booster seat in Illinois?

In Illinois, a child must be at least 8 years old to sit in a booster seat. This age requirement is based on the child’s safety needs and the effectiveness of seat belt systems in providing protection. Booster seats are designed to properly position the seat belt on a child’s smaller body, ensuring that the safety belt fits correctly over the strong parts of a child’s body and offering the best protection in the event of a crash.

While younger children may still require the use of a different child safety seat, the law specifically states that once they reach the age of 8, they can transition to using a booster seat, as long as they meet the height and weight requirements set forth by safety regulations. This transition helps ensure that children are adequately protected until they are tall enough for the adult seat belts to fit properly.

This law reflects the recognized importance of using appropriate restraint systems according to a child’s age and development, contributing to overall safety on the road.