Free Event to Get Kids ID Cards in Hinsdale

Submitted by the Illinois Tollway

The Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police will conduct a free Kids Identification and Safety Seat (K.I.S.S.) event in Hinsdale on Saturday, Aug. 16. Parents, grandparents and caregivers can create free kids’ ID cards and get help with child safety seat inspections.

The K.I.S.S. event takes place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the southbound side parking lot of the Hinsdale Oasis, located at milepost 25 on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

The attractions include a K-9 demonstration at 1 p.m. and a touch-a-truck exhibit that includes a Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) truck, a 26-ton Illinois Tollway snowplow and a fire truck and ambulance from the Hinsdale Fire Department.

A limited number of backpacks filled with school supplies and coupons for free and discounted items from participating oases tenants will be given away by CBRE/U.S. Equities Realty, on behalf of SFI Chicago Tollway LLC, which manages and leases six Tollway oases. The free backpacks will be available on a first-come, first-served basis only for children who get free ID cards.

K.I.S.S. events provide certified child passenger safety technicians to inspect and install child safety seats and help drivers stay up-to-date with the latest safety seat information and educational materials.

“Nearly 90 percent of the child safety seats inspected by the Illinois State Police are improperly installed – up from 80 percent last year,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “K.I.S.S. events offer free safety seat checks and ID cards to help keep children safe and provide peace of mind for parents, grandparents and caregivers when they’re on the road.”

K.I.S.S. events also offer parents and caregivers the opportunity to have ID cards created for children age 3 and older. Specially trained professionals will take kids’ photographs and fingerprints and gather vital information to include on three personal ID cards – one for home and two for a wallet or purse. This information will not be stored by police, but rather, used by parents and others in the event of an emergency.