It is illegal to employ a child under 14 except under specific circumstances. However, employers of minors under age 18 must obtain and keep on file proof of the minor's age.This Illinois law enhances restrictions on the employment of minors. Indeed, the Act imposes certain new civil and criminal penalties on violating employers. Child Labor Law regulates employment of workers under 16 years of age. The law protects children by: requiring employment certificates. All the specificities of each state's minor labor laws can be found in the table below. Texas' child labor laws apply to all children under the age of 18 working in Texas, whether or not they reside in the state. Work permits are typically not issued for children under 14 except for these exemptions. The Illinois Child Labor Law establishes several separate classes of minors with different hiring eligibility conditions.