Illinois Child Labor Laws 2024
Contents :: Illinois Child Labor Law
Child labor laws on Illinois and <a href="/federal/child-labor-laws">Federal</a> levels exist to prevent the exploitation of minors for labor, and ensure that education is prioritized over work. Limitations on child labor vary by age, and may include restrictions on the types of work that can be done, maximum hours that may be worked, and limitations on late or overnight work.
Regulation of child labor may include the use of Employment Certificates issued by the minor's school or the state Labor Department, and/or an Age Certification document that verifies the minor's age for work purposes. This page details Illinois' child labor law regulations.
Mandatory Employment & Age Certification for Minors
Employment Certificates in Illinois
Employment Certificates, also known as Work Permits, are mandatory in Illinois for minors under 16. The certificate must be acquired by the minor and presented to their employer to verify their ability to work before they are hired.
Acquiring an Illinois Employment Certificate:
In Illinois, minors can obtain an Employment Certificate through their school, generally by contacting a guidance counselor or school administrator. An Employment Certificate will be issued if the minor meets all of the state's criteria for employment.
Age Certification in Illinois
Age certification is a process through which minors provide proof of their age to a prospective employer, which helps ensure that all child labor laws mandated for their age bracket are followed.
Age certification is not required in Illinois, but an age certificate is required by law to be provided on request for minors 16 to 20.
Acquiring an Age Certificate in Illinois:
In Illinois, minors can obtain age certification through their school, generally by contacting a guidance counselor or school administrator.
Minor Working Hour Restrictions in Illinois
Minors who are authorized to work in Illinois are subject to restrictions on when they can work, and how many hours they can work. The exact restrictions in effect depend on the age of the minor, and are designed to ensure that work does not interfere with the minor's schooling.
Maximum Hours of Work for Minors
Working hour restrictions limit how many hours a minor may work per day, and per week.
For Minors Under 16:
8 hours per day, 48 hours per week, 6 days per week of work are permitted when school is not in session.
During a school period, 3 hours of work are allowed per day [8 combined hours of work and school], and up to 24 per week.
Eight hours of work are permitted on both Saturday and Sunday if the minor does not work outside school hours more than 6 consecutive days in a week and the total hours worked outside school does not exceed 24.
For Minors Ages 16 and 17:
Illinois has no restrictions on maximum working hours for minors aged 16 and 17.
Nightwork Restrictions for Minors
Nightwork restrictions set limits on how late a minor can legally work.
For Minors Under 16:
Work is prohibited during these hours: 7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m. Minors age 14 or older, employed in recreational or educational activities by a park district or municipal parks and recreation department may work up to 3 hours per school day twice a week until 9 p.m., while school is in session, if the number of hours worked does not exceed 24 a week. Work is permitted until 10 p.m. during summer vacation.
For Minors Ages 16 and 17:
Illinois has no restrictions on nightwork for minors aged 16 and 17.
Special Child Labor Laws in Illinois
In addition to laws requiring work certificates or age verification for general employment of minors, most states have special regulations governing the employment of minors in agriculture (such as farm work and harvesting), and the entertainment industry (including child actors, models, and performers).
To learn about these special child labor laws in Illinois, see the following pages.
On a Federal level, child labor is regulated under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Minors and students may additionally be subject to special labor law regulations regarding minimum wage, meal and break periods while working, and more.
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