How old does someone have to be to get a job in Illinois?

Children as young as 14 years old are eligible to get a job if they have a work permit and are not working in manufacturing or hazardous jobs, according to the Illinois Department of Labor. Children that are ages 12 and 13 are eligible to work on a farm, provided they have their parents' consent.

Work permits are available at a child's school, and even with the permit there are restrictions that detail when a child can work. Typically, a 14 or 15 year old cannot work before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. on a school night, and may not work more than 8 hours per day.