Illinois Child Labor Law

The Illinois Child Labor Law regulates the employment of minors under the age of 16 by determining when they can work, at what jobs, and for how long.

I read that when school is in session, children 14 and 15 years of age may work up to 3 hours per day, up to 24 hours per week, and the combined hours of school and work may not exceed 8 hours per day. 2. When school is not in session (including summer vacations, holidays and weekends), children under the age of 16 may not work more than 8 hours per day, more than 6 days per week; nor more than 48 hours per week.

Daily hours of work may not be before 7:00 AM or after 7:00 PM except between June 1st and Labor Day when working hours may be extended to 9:00 PM. A scheduled meal period of at least thirty (30) minutes must be provided after the fifth consecutive hour of work.

Employers of minors must post a schedule stating the hours of work and time of the lunch period. The employer must also furnish any minor they intend to employ with a statement describing the specific nature of the work to be performed and the hours and days the minor is to work.

The child may not work in hazardous occupations, including power machinery, manufacturing equipment, explosives, mining, logging, construction, and potentially harmful chemicals. Surprisingly, however, I noticed that Illinois has specifically banned children from working at or in a public messenger or delivery service, bowling alley, pool room, billiard room, skating rink (except an ice skating rink owned and operated by a school or unit of local government); exhibition park or place of amusement, garage or as a bell boy in any hotel or rooming house.

The Child Labor Law does not apply to the sale and distribution of magazines and newspapers at hours when school is not in session; or to the employment of a minor outside school hours in and around a home of an employer when the work is not business related; or work of the minor, 13 or more years of age in caddying at a golf course or as an official at certain sports activities. 14 and 15 year olds may also work in offices or other nonhazardous workplaces.

Employers must post the Child Labor Law poster in their place of business. The Illinois Complete Labor Law poster reflects all of the current child labor laws alongside the federal labor laws.