Illinois Officials Remind Employers of Teen Worker Rules for Summer Jobs

SPRINGFIELD — As summer job season begins, the Illinois Department of Labor is reminding employers and families about the legal requirements for hiring workers under age 16. Teenagers must have an employment certificate, cannot work in hazardous jobs or places where alcohol is served, and face limits on hours, including no work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. during the school year, with hours extended to 9 p.m. in the summer. Workers under 18 must be paid at least $13 per hour, receive a 30-minute meal break for every five hours worked, and get a full day off after six straight days on the job.