Job Opportunity? First Step: Work Permit.

The Illinois Child Labor Law regulates the employment of minors under age 16 to ensure their safety, health, and educational opportunities. DuPage ROE 19 is here to assist families and schools in complying with these requirements.

Overview of the Law

The law protects children by:

  • Requiring Employment Certificates (Work Permits): Confirms the minor is old enough, physically capable, and the job will not interfere with schooling
  • Prohibiting Hazardous Occupations
  • Limiting Working Hours:
    – No work before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m.
    – Extended hours until 9:00 p.m. are allowed from June 1 through Labor Day
  • Child Performers: Must have 15% of gross earnings deposited into a trust account

Child Labor Law Full Text – IL Dept. of Labor

Who Needs a Work Permit?

  • Minors under 16 years old must have a valid work permit before beginning any job
  • Work permits are valid for 1 year and 1 employer

How to Obtain a Work Permit

Step 1: Find Your School District or The Local School Zone You Reside In: 
To begin the process of seeking a minor work permit, the parent/guardian should first contact their school district or obtain the work permit locally at the school districts in which they are currently residing in their school zone, using the following steps:

1. Check With Your School: 
Check whether your school building issues work permits to its students. Most high schools and junior high schools have a Designated Issuing Officer (DIO). If your school has a Designated Issuing Officer, you should go through them. Parents can find the district issuing officers below: 

List of DuPage County Issuing Officers

2. Find the School Zone You Reside In 
For the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the district you reside in, please follow the instructions below:

  1.  Click here to access the DuPage Property Tax Search
  2.  Look-Up: Scroll down to Search by Address. Enter your Street Number, Street, and City
  3.  Click Search
  4.  Your district will be shown in the Property Tax Distribution tab.
  5.  This information will provide you with the elementary and high school district in which you reside.

Please Note: If your child is homeschooled, attends a private school, or is an infant/toddler under 6 years old, you may go to the local districts in the school zone you reside in to issue your work permit, even though your child is not directly enrolled there. 

3. Contact your ROE or ISBE for assistance: 
If your district does not have a designated issuing officer, or the local district in the resident school zone will not issue work permits unless the resident is enrolled in the district for some reason, the ROE 19 or ISBE is available to help you directly.  
This includes the following:

  • being homeschooled
  • attending a private school
  • are an infant or toddler under 6 years old
  • are on summer break; or
  • all district-issuing officers are off 

Please be aware that ROE 19 can issue work permits only to minors living in DuPage County.

Step 2: Prepare Required Documentation

The following documents are required for DuPage ROE 19 to issue a work permit:

  • Application for Work Permit
    Download and complete DuPage ROE 19’s application form
  • Letter of Intention to Employ
    ROE will accept the ROE form or a letter written by the employer
    On official employer letterhead, signed by the employer or agent
  • Proof of Age
    Examples: Original birth certificate, certified copy, state ID, passport, baptismal certificate, or other documentation per IL law
  • School Official’s Statement
    Waived for homeschooled students and during summer break
    Must be signed by the student’s principal or authorized school official
  • Illinois Certificate of Health Examination or ROE Certificate of Physical Fitness
  • Parent/Guardian ID
    If the student is under guardianship, provide court documentation
  • COOGAN/UTMA Account Info (If Applicable)
    For minors working as actors, performers, or models, proof of a trust account must be submitted

All ROE forms are available on the DuPage ROE website. 

Step 3: Submit Your Documents to DuPage ROE 19

After Submission

Once all documents are received and verified, ROE 19 will contact you within 2-3 business days:

  • Review any missing documents.
  • Schedule the required in-person meeting. 
    • During the school year, parents should contact their school district to complete their work permit.
    • Parents can go to the district in the school zone where they reside & pay taxes, regardless of whether they attend.  
    • **Illinois law requires both the minor and a parent/guardian to be present in person.
  • Issue the work permit.
    • Valid for one year from the date the work permit is issued. 

Additional Resources