Business & Work

What is the Illinois Child Labor Law of 2024?

The Illinois Child Labor Law of 2024 was enacted to ensure child workers' health, safety, welfare, and access to education. This law replaces Illinois’ prior child labor law. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act also protects the rights of child workers.

Most of the Illinois act went into effect on January 1, 2025. The parts about minors featured in vlogs and trust funds were effective July 1, 2024.

When can children start working?

Generally, children can start working at 14 and 15 years old with supervision. You must have a work permit, though. Also, the hours and types of work you can do are limited. You also can’t work at places where you are not allowed to enter, such as gun ranges, casinos, and cannabis establishments.

If you are 16 or older, you can work, and you don’t need a work permit. There are limits on the type of work you can do. You can’t work in hazardous jobs.

There are some exceptions that allow children 13 or younger to work, including:

• Certain farm work,
• Caddying at a golf course for children ages 13 and older, and
• Officiating or assisting with youth sports activities for nonprofits or park districts for children ages 12 and 13 who get a work permit.

What is a work permit or “employment certificate”?

Generally, anyone under 16 must have a work permit or “employment certificate” to be employed. Local schools issue work permits.

To get a work permit, a parent or guardian can contact the school district or regional office of education to see if the permit can be issued locally. If not, a request can be made through the Illinois State Board of Education. The work permit application must be submitted by the minor A person under 18 years old and their parent or guardian.

The employer and parent will each get a copy of the work permit. The work permit is valid for one year from the date it is issued, but the permit can be suspended or revoked.

Are there exceptions to child labor law requirements?

Child labor laws don’t apply to some activities that happen outside of school hours, including:

• Household chores,
• Babysitting, and
• Newspaper or magazine delivery.

Are there limits on the type of work children can do?

Children under the age of 18 cannot work in hazardous jobs. The law prevents children from operating or being around unsafe machinery and tools. Federal and state laws list types of hazardous work that are not allowed. Examples of hazardous jobs include:

• Work with power-driven machines, except for ice cream shops,
• Factory work,
• Jobs in any mechanic’s garage,
• Jobs that involve exposure to lead,
• Jobs that involve exposure to acids, dyes, chemicals, dust, gases, vapors, or fumes that are suspected to be dangerous to humans,
• Jobs that require the use of a firearm or other weapon,
• Metalworking or woodworking,
• Laundry,
• Construction, and
• Meat or fish processing.

Children under 16 also cannot do work related to barber, cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding, or nail services, unless they are in school and working under the applicable rules.

Visit the Illinois Department of Labor and the US Department of Labor websites to learn more about restricted work.

Are there limits on the times or hours children can work?

Working hours are limited for children under 16. Generally, employers cannot let children work before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. In the summer (June 1 through Labor Day), children can work until 9:00 p.m.

The number of hours children can work depends on whether school is in session.

During the summer (June 1 through Labor Day), children under 16 can work:

• No more than 8 hours a day, or
• No more than 40 hours a week.

During the school year, the hours are more restricted. Generally, an employer cannot allow a child under 16 to work:

• More than 18 hours a week when school is in session, or
• More than 3 hours per day or more than 8 hours of total work and school hours on school days.

Children under 16 can work a maximum of 8 hours on each Saturday and Sunday during the school year if: 

• the child does not work outside of school hours more than six consecutive days in a week, and 
• the overall number of hours does not exceed 24 hours in a week.

Child performers may be allowed to work additional hours. Child performers include live theatrical performers, models, and performers working in radio, television, or movie production.  

If you work more than 5 hours continuously, your employer must give you a 30-minute break.

Learn more on the Illinois Department of Labor website.

What is the minimum wage for children?

Illinois' minimum wage for workers under 18 is $13 per hour. You are entitled to the adult Any person 18 years old or over minimum wage rate if you work more than 650 hours in a calendar year. As of January 1, 2025, the adult minimum wage rate in Illinois is $15 per hour.

Learn more about minimum wage laws.

Are there special rules for child models and performers?

Yes, there are additional protections for child performers. For example, there are limits on the number of live theatrical shows a child can perform in. Also, a child performer must have a trust fund set up in their name where 15% of their gross earnings will be deposited.

There are also additional protections for child influencers.

Are there resources with more information?

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) website includes more information about child labor laws.

IDOL also maintains a toll-free telephone number at (800) 645-5784 for information requests about work permits and labor law violations.