Illinois Rules on Employing Minors

In Illinois, no minor under 16 may be employed in any gainful occupation unless the employer procures and keeps on file an employment certificate issued by a city or county superintendent of schools. Employment certificates permit employment during the school vacation or outside of school hours. Major exemptions include agricultural work and programs under the Jobs Training Partnership Act.

A minor under 16 may be issued an employment certificate in order to perform in a play or musical comedy with a professional traveling theatrical production on the stage of a licensed theater, wherein not more than two performances are given in any one day and not more than eight in a work (nine when a holiday occurs during the week); or in a musical recital or concert. The minor must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or other chaperone. The minor's appearance on stage must not be more than six hours a day, six days a week, 24 hours a week or after 11 p.m. The minor will not be excused from attending school except as otherwise authorized under the school code. The manager of the theater, the person responsible for the musical recital or concert, or the parent or guardian must apply for the certificate at least 14 days in advance. An employment certificate may be issued to any minor under 16 for modeling, motion picture, radio or television production.

Not-for-profit youth clubs may employ minors ages 14 and older in recreational or educational activities.

Minors that are 12 and 13 years of age who officiate youth sports activities for not-for-profit youth clubs, park districts or municipal parks and recreation departments are exempt from coverage under Illinois child labor law, provided that certain restrictions are met limiting work hours, the ages of those that the minor is officiating over, requiring an employer to obtain proper certification and requiring a parent to be present.

Effective January 1, 2005, a person selling tobacco products must be 16 years of age or older.