ID cards can help keep children safe

Gov. Pat Quinn proclaimed May 25 as Missing Children’s Day in Illinois to remind families throughout the state to make child safety a priority and recognize progress made in safeguarding our children. In light of the fact that 2,100 children — almost two children per minute — are reported missing every day in the United States, the Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police District 15 are hosting Kids Identification and Safety Seat events throughout Northern Illinois to help keep kids safe and parents worry-free. Parents, grandparents and caregivers are invited to stop by a KISS event to receive help with child safety seat installations and create kids’ identification cards. The cards provide parents with assistance in the event of an emergency, where time and an accurate description of the missing child are critical for law enforcement to take action.

Accurate identification cards can be the difference between finding a missing child quickly and not at all. Join us in our efforts to safeguard children in Illinois. For a list of free events scheduled throughout the summer, including in Des Plaines and Naperville, visit www.illinoistollway.com

Kristi Lafleur

Illinois Tollway executive director

John Jesernik

Illinois State Police District 15 commander