Work Permits

Child Labor Law regulates the employment of workers under 16 years of age. The law protects children by:

• Requiring employment certificates. The certificate confirms that a minor is old enough work (must be 14 years old except for models/actors), physically capable to do the job, and that the job will not interfere with the minor’s education;
• Prohibiting work in hazardous occupations; and
• Limiting work hours. All work before 7:00 am and after 7:00 pm is prohibited. However, work until 9:00 pm is allowed from June 1st through Labor Day.

Obtaining a Work Permit

In order to apply, you must:

• Complete the Work Permit Application;
• Provide a letter of intent from the employer or have employer complete section III of the application;
• Provide your school’s Principal’s Statement to Issuing Office on school letterhead, (sample included in work permit application link above),
• Provide original social security card,
• Provide proof of physical dated within 12 months; and
• Provide a copy of official birth certificate

Minors applying for a performing, acting, or modeling work permit, will need proof of a Coogan Account.

Bring all completed paperwork to the ROE Office - Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

NOTE: Both, parent and student, must be present to complete this process. 

Appointments are required- please call the Quincy office: 217-277-2080 or our Jacksonville office: 217-243-1804 ext 1.

Safety First – Common Prohibited Occupations

Work is Prohibited IN ANY CAPACITY:

• any cannabis business establishment subject to the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act or Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act;
• any establishment subject to the Live Adult Entertainment Facility Surcharge Act;
• any firearm range or gun range used for discharging a firearm in a sporting event, for practice or instruction in the use of a firearm, or the testing of a firearm;
• any establishment in which items containing alcohol for consumption are manufactured, distilled, brewed, or bottled;
• any establishment where the primary activity is the sale of alcohol or tobacco;
• an establishment operated by any holder of an owners license subject to the Illinois Gambling Act; or any other establishment which State or federal law prohibits minors from entering or patronizing.
• An employer shall not allow minors to draw, mix, pour, or serve any item containing alcohol or otherwise handle any open containers of alcohol. An employer shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that minors are unable to access alcohol.
• An employer may allow minors aged 14 and 15 to work in retail stores, except that an employer shall not allow minors to handle or be able to access any goods or products which are illegal for minors to purchase or possess.
• No person shall employ, allow, or permit an unlicensed minor to perform work in the practice of barber, cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding, and nail technology services requiring a license under the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985, except for students enrolled in a school and performing barber, cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding, and nail technology services in accordance with that Act and rules adopted under that Act.
• For a complete list please refer to the Child Labor Law, 820-ILCS 205/1-22.

Child Labor Hotline: 800.645.5784
Child Labor Law Information: 312.793.2804