# Teen work rules in Illinois

In Illinois, you can start most non-farm jobs at 14. You need a work permit until you turn 16 (from school (issuing officer at the minor's school or school district, under the Superintendent of Schools)). At 14 and 15 you can work up to 3 h on a school day, 18 h in a school week, 40 h in a summer week. There are no state hour limits at 16 and 17.

- Minimum age: 14
- Work permit: required under 16
- Hours at 14–15: 3 h on a school day, 18 h in a school week, 40 h in a summer week
- Hours at 16–17: no limits

## Recent changes

- 2025-01-01: Child Labor Law of 2024 (820 ILCS 206) replaced the old Child Labor Law. It keeps permits for under-16s, issued by school officials, who must weigh past injury reports at the workplace. It requires an adult 21 or older to supervise minors at all times. Employers must report work deaths within 24 hours and copy injury reports to IDOL and the issuing school. It adds banned jobs (gun ranges, serving alcohol, cosmetology, adult entertainment). Penalties rise to $20,000 per violation, or $60,000 if a minor is injured or killed.

## Employers hiring at 14 here

- McDonald's
- Chick-fil-A
- Publix
- Culver's
- Dairy Queen
- Burger King
- Hy-Vee
- Fareway
- Rita's Italian Ice
- Arby's
- Jimmy John's
- Runza
- Braum's
- AMC Theatres

## Sources

- IDOL – Child Labor Law Requirements & Restrictions: https://labor.illinois.gov/laws-rules/fls/child-labor-law-compliance.html
- IDOL – Child Labor FAQ: https://labor.illinois.gov/faqs/child-labor-faq.html
- IDOL – Child Labor Changes – 2025 (bulletin for employers and school officials): https://labor.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idol/laws-rules/fls/child-labor/cll-of-2024/Child%20Labor%20Bulletin%202025%20-%20Changes.pdf
- IDOL – Illinois Child Labor Law Resource for Parents & Families: https://labor.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idol/laws-rules/fls/child-labor/cll-of-2024/2025-updated-forms/25_ChildLaborLawFamilyResource_English_NewLogo.pdf
- 820 ILCS 206/25 – Allowable work hours (FindLaw, current as of 2025-01-01): https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-820-employment/il-st-sect-820-206-25/
- 820 ILCS 206/35 – Employer requirements (meal period): https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-820-employment/il-st-sect-820-206-35/
- US DOL WHD – State child labor laws applicable to non-farm employment: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/child-labor
- US DOL WHD – Employment/Age Certification table (IL: employment cert under 16 mandatory, school; age cert 16–20 on request): https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/age-certificates

Page: https://hiringage.com/illinois/ — please cite with a link.