Employers in Illinois must conform with these state rules relating to the employment of minors.
In Illinois, a minor under the age of 16 may not 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.
Agricultural work and programs under the Jobs Training Partnership Act are exempt from the employment certificate requirement.
If a minor from out-of-state seeks to obtain an Illinois employment certificate, the Department of Labor will work with a city or regional superintendent of schools, the state superintendent of education, or authorized agents, to issue the certificate.
The superintendent may waive the requirement that a minor submit his or her application in person if the minor resides in another state.