Employers are prohibited from hiring teens under 16 years of age who fail to present an approved work permit. Work permits or employment certificates must be obtained from your local school for all minors 14 and 15 years of age before beginning work.16 and 17: Can work up to 8 hours on school days, 9 hours on nonschool days, and 30 hours per school week. Under Illinois child labor laws, children that are 16-years-old and 17-years-old are not restricted regarding how many hours they may work in a work week. There are both state and federal laws that protect workers under the age of 18 from being exposed to hazards and working unreasonable shifts. MINORS AGES 16, 17 and Older Minors ages 16 and older are exempt from the hour and scheduling restrictions. According to Colorado child labor laws, minors may not work more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. On the other hand, 16- and 17-year-olds may only work for unlimited hours in non-hazardous occupations. There is NOTHING in any state labor laws, that prohibit a minor from closing a store. So, simply put, yes a 17 yeast old can close the store.