How many hours can a 14 year old work in Illinois during summer?

During summer or school breaks, a 14-year-old in Illinois can work up to 8 hr per day and 40 hr per week, time window 07:00 – 21:00.

Does a 14 year old need a work permit in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois requires a work permit for 14-year-olds. Under the Child Labor Law of 2024 (effective January 1, 2025), 14- and 15-year-olds must obtain an Employment Certificate from their school superintendent before starting work. The minor presents a Statement of Intent to Employ from the employer, plus proof of age. 16- and 17-year-olds no longer need a state-issued permit but employers must keep age verification on file.

IL · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 14 year old do in Illinois?

Q: What jobs can a 14 year old do in Illinois?

Yes — a 14-year-old can work in Illinois with the following limits during the school year: 3 hr per school day, 24 hr per week, time window 07:00 – 19:00. Work permit required.

Quick answer for 14-year-olds in Illinois — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Illinois state labor code.

Updated: 2026-05-26

Quick answer

Can a 14-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

Illinois sets different hour caps depending on whether school is in session.

During the school year

Hours per school day: 3 hr
Hours per non-school day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 24 hr
Time window: 07:00 – 19:00

Maximum 24 hours during a school week (combined school + work) under the Child Labor Law of 2024. No work during school hours.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 40 hr
Time window: 07:00 – 21:00

Summer hours (June 1 through Labor Day) extend evening cutoff to 9:00 PM.

Common allowed jobs for a 14-year-old

General age-appropriate jobs under federal FLSA. Illinois adds its own restricted-occupations list below — check that before accepting any job.

Retail cashier or sales clerk (with IL Employment Certificate)
Illinois Child Labor Law of 2024 (effective Jan 1, 2025) requires the Employment Certificate for every 14-15-year-old before starting work. Federal FLSA caps apply: 3 hrs per school day, 18 per school week, 7 AM–7 PM.
Counter food-service or drive-thru (no flame cooking)
Cooking with grills or fryers, and power slicers (HO-10), stay 16+ federally.
Office or clerical work — filing, reception, data entry
Tutoring younger students
Park, recreation, or community-center program assistant
Hand-tool yard work for neighbors
Illinois bans door-to-door sales for minors under 16. Power mowers and weed-whackers stay 16+ under federal HO-6.
Newspaper delivery on a regular route
Federal FLSA carve-out at 29 USC § 213(d) — IL Employment Certificate not required for delivery routes.

Restricted in Illinois

All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17(29 CFR Part 570)
Operating power-driven meat-processing machines(HO-10)
Door-to-door sales for minors under 16(820 ILCS 205/2.1)
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof(HO-16)
Excavation operations(HO-17)

Other ages in Illinois

Same age, other states

Read the full Illinois rules

This page summarizes the rules for 14-year-olds. For all ages, age-band breakdown, statute citation, and DOL references, see the full state page.

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