Vernon Hills police checking seat belts

Vernon Hills police will increase enforcement of the Illinois safety belt laws through Jan. 1 as part of a statewide grant. Illinois law requires all passengers, regardless of age or location in the vehicle, to be secured in a seat belt or an appropriately approved child restraint system. If a passenger has a disability or medical condition that makes him/her unable to secure his/her own safety belt, the driver is responsible for securing and adjusting the belt for the passenger. Drivers are responsible to ensure all passengers obey the safety belt law and Child Passenger Protection Act, and can be subject to a $60 fine and court costs for violations. Anyone with questions regarding seat belt or other traffic law can call the department Traffic Unit hotline (847) 362-4449, Ext. 4832.