Illinois Dept. of Labor Reminds Employers of Child Labor Laws as School Break Begins
The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is reminding employers and families to be aware of child labor rights and protections.
Currently, IDOL regulates workers under 16 with the following protections:
- Requiring an employment certificate to confirm that a minor is old enough to work, physically capable of performing the job, and that the job will not interfere with the minor’s education (during school months).
- Prohibiting work in hazardous occupations.
- Prohibiting work in businesses where alcohol is served or sold for on-site consumption, and in places where alcohol is brewed, distilled, or bottled.
- Limiting working hours: child workers are prohibited from working before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. during the school year, although work until 9 p.m. is allowed from June 1 through Labor Day.
Additionally, child workers must earn a minimum of $12 per hour and be granted a 30-minute break for every five hours of work.
“Child labor laws are meant to protect some of the most vulnerable workers in Illinois,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan. “We’ve seen too many stories in the national news about children being exploited or hurt at work. The rules in place allow young people to be employed in safe workplaces that don’t negatively impact their health or education.”
Possible violations can be reported here or by visiting labor.illinois.gov/childlabor.
