The same child labor laws that govern public and private school students bind homeschoolers. Many homeschooled students have flexible schedules and spend less time on daily schoolwork. Though these students may want part-time jobs during hours when public schools are in session, Illinois labor laws deem this illegal -- even if the child wants to work at a parent's business.
Children under age 14 in Illinois are restricted to working a small variety of jobs. Outside regular school hours, children may sell magazines and newspapers and work in or around a home of an employer as long as the work is not business related. Babysitting and housework fall into this category. Minors 13 or older can work as golf caddies and 12- and 13-year-olds can work as officials in some sports activities.
Minors 14 and older must obtain work permits. Homeschoolers should contact the closest public or private high schools to see if any will issue a permit. If this option fails, the district or regional superintendent of public schools must issue the permit. Once permitted to do so, 14- and 15-year-olds can work in most occupations except those the state deems hazardous to minors. Minors may work up to three hours each day and up to 24 hours in a week when school is in session. School and work hours combined may not exceed eight hours in any day. Minors may work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. -- excluding hours that public school is in session.
More hours can be worked during summer, vacations and weekends, as school is not in session. Up to 48 hours of work per week are permitted. However, 14- and 15-year-olds may not work more than eight hours in any day or more than six days in a week. Between June 1 and Labor Day, the working hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., as of publication.