Working in Illinois at age 15 is a significant step toward gaining professional experience and financial independence. The state maintains strict regulations to ensure employment does not interfere with a minor’s education, health, or well-being. These protections are codified in the Illinois Child Labor Law, which works alongside federal labor standards. Aspiring young workers and their employers must navigate a clear set of requirements before employment can begin.
Getting Started: The Required Paperwork
Before a 15-year-old can legally begin non-exempt employment in Illinois, they must obtain an Employment Certificate, commonly known as a Work Permit. This certificate is issued by the minor’s local school superintendent or a designated school official. The permit confirms the job is safe and the work schedule complies with state laws.
The application requires several specific documents presented to the issuing officer. The prospective employer must provide a written Statement of Intention to Employ, detailing the job’s nature, proposed hours, and days per week. This statement must appear on company letterhead and be signed by the employer.
The minor must also provide evidence of age, such as a birth certificate or passport. A Certificate of Physical Fitness, signed by a physician within the past year, is mandatory to verify the minor is fit for the specific job duties. The minor and a parent or guardian must be present when applying to the school official to provide parental consent.
Permissible Job Roles and Industries
Illinois law permits 15-year-olds to work in service-oriented and light-duty occupations, provided the work is non-hazardous and does not interfere with school. These roles are typically supervised and focus on customer interaction or administrative support. The law specifically allows employment in stores, offices, restaurants, and places of amusement.
Retail and Grocery Stores
Retail employment often involves working as a sales associate, stock clerk, or bagger in grocery stores. Tasks include arranging merchandise, stocking shelves, and assisting customers. Minors are generally allowed to run cash registers and handle transactions. However, they are prohibited from operating certain power-driven machines, such as meat slicers, paper cutters, or balers.
Food Service and Restaurants
Food service establishments offer opportunities for young workers, particularly in front-of-house roles. Permissible jobs include working as a host, busser, or server assistant. Tasks center around customer service and light kitchen duties, such as dishwashing or preparing simple salads. State and federal law prohibit 15-year-olds from cooking, baking, or operating power-driven food processing machinery like commercial mixers or slicers.
Office and Clerical Work
Office environments provide valuable experience in administrative support and clerical work. A 15-year-old can perform tasks such as filing documents, data entry, sorting mail, and answering phones. This employment is generally compliant with child labor laws because it avoids exposure to hazardous equipment or environments. These roles often allow a flexible schedule around school hours.
Entertainment and Recreation
The entertainment and recreation sectors offer roles like concession stand workers, ushers, and junior camp counselors. Young people can also work as golf caddies, a role permissible for minors over the age of 13. These jobs involve interacting with the public and maintaining the safety or enjoyment of patrons. Employment is permissible as long as the work does not involve operating heavy machinery or serving alcohol.
Jobs That Are Off-Limits for 15-Year-Olds
The Illinois Child Labor Law and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act prohibit 15-year-olds from specific hazardous occupations, regardless of work permit status. These restrictions safeguard the minor’s health, safety, and physical development. Any job involving the operation of power-driven machinery is barred, including woodworking tools, hoisting apparatus, and most power-driven bakery equipment.
Prohibited environments include most manufacturing and mining operations, as well as nearly all construction work. Specific jobs like roofing, excavation, and demolition are considered too dangerous for minors under 16. Fifteen-year-olds cannot operate motor vehicles as part of their job duties, nor can they work where explosives or radioactive materials are used or stored.
Strict Rules Governing Work Hours
The law places mandatory limits on the hours a 15-year-old can work, which change depending on the school calendar. Restrictions are most stringent when school is in session to prioritize education. A minor may work a maximum of three hours on any school day.
The total hours worked during a school week cannot exceed 18 hours. The combined hours of school attendance and work cannot total more than eight hours in any single day. On days when school is not in session, such as weekends or holidays, a 15-year-old may work up to eight hours per day, limited to 40 hours during a non-school week.
The hours of the day a minor can be employed are fixed by state law. From Labor Day through May 31, work must be scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. During the summer period (June 1 through Labor Day), the evening restriction is extended, permitting work until 9:00 p.m.
Understanding Your Rights and Pay
Fifteen-year-olds employed in Illinois are entitled to specific financial and workplace protections under state law. The youth minimum wage for workers under 18 is set at $13.00 per hour. A young worker becomes entitled to the full state minimum wage ($15.00 per hour as of January 1, 2025) after completing 650 hours of work for the employer in a calendar year.
Illinois law mandates that all employees, including 15-year-olds, receive a scheduled meal period of at least 30 minutes. This break must be provided no later than the fifth consecutive hour of work. Young employees are also protected against discrimination and are entitled to a safe working environment, with the Illinois Department of Labor enforcing these protections.