As of 2022, the state of Illinois does not have a front seat law.
Legally, children can ride in the front seat in Illinois at any age, as long as they are properly restrained in a car seat or booster seat.
However, Illinois does recommend children ride in the backseat of a vehicle through age 12 for optimal protection.
Front Seat Requirements In Illinois
- Front Seat Age Illinois: 0 years
- Front Seat Height Illinois: unspecified
- Front Seat Weight Illinois: unspecified
- Age To Sit In Front Seat In Illinois Guideline: 13 years
While children can legally ride in the front seat in Illinois at any age, installing a car seat or booster seat in the front seat puts children at greater risk.
So, while there is no law against children under under a certain age or height riding in the front seat in Illinois (as long as they are properly secured in a child seat), you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing your child’s car seat or booster seat, including placement in the vehicle.
General Front Seat Law FAQ
When can a child sit in the front seat?
Legally, the age (or height) at which a child can sit in the front seat varies from state to state.
Some states have no laws preventing children from sitting in the front seats of vehicles regardless of age (even while still in car seats).
When it comes to safety, however, a child should not sit in the front seat of a vehicle until they are at least tall enough to properly fit a standard seatbelt (4’9”).
But the longer you can keep them in the backseat the better.
The CDC recommends all children under the age of 13 sit in the backseat of vehicles.
What is the purpose of front seat laws?
Studies have shown children under the age of 13 are safest in the backseats of cars.
More specifically, the center backseat is the safest place in a vehicle for a child.
This is why some states have laws forbidding children from riding in the front seat of vehicles until they reach a specific height or age.
Why is the front seat unsafe for children?
There are two main reasons the front seat of a car is unsafe for children.
One of the reasons children fare better in the backseat of a vehicle during an accident is because head-on collisions are one of the deadliest types of car crash.
Though they make up only 2% of all car crashes, head-on collisions account for over 10% of car crash deaths. (Rollovers are the only other accident type with such a disproportionate fatality rate for those inside the vehicle.)
Since the back seat is furthest from the front of the vehicle, it is the safest place to be in a head-on collision.
The second reason children fare better in the backseat of a vehicle during an accident is because the safety devices installed in cars to protect passengers during a collision are designed for adults.
Since airbags are designed for adults and not children, the impact of an air bag when deployed can cause more harm to a child than the accident itself.
Research conducted by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found “children exposed to air bags during a crash are twice as likely to suffer a serious injury.”
The Safest Place For Kids Is The Backseat
While Illinois may not have a law that dictates when a child can legally sit in the front seat (and you won’t get a ticket for it), we recommend following state and CDC guidelines and keeping your child in the backseat until they turn 13.
And, before that, follow Illinois’ laws regarding car seats and booster seats.
For more on Illinois’ car seat laws, see Illinois Car Seat Laws.
For more on Illinois’ booster seat laws, see Illinois Booster Seat Laws.