Office of the
Illinois Attorney General
Kwame Raoul

Lawsuit Alleges Dozens of 14- and 15-Year-olds Without Employment Certificates Worked Excessive Hours, Some Shifts up to 17 hours straight

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit against the president and manager of Lockor LCC (Lockor), for over 550 alleged violations of the Illinois Child Labor Law by employing at least 26 minors aged 14 or 15 years old, without a work permit and for excessive hours, without rest, during the school year.

In the lawsuit, Raoul alleges that Lockor and Nicholas J. Kory, who owns and operates a Lockport McDonald’s restaurant, violated the Child Labor Law hundreds of times over a seven-month period by failing to obtain documentation authorizing the children to work; allowing children to work without rest and meal breaks; permitting children to work excessive shifts over eight hours, even up to 17 hours straight during the school year; and having children work late at night.

“Employment can teach minors valuable lessons in responsibility and money management. It is absolutely unacceptable that a local business owner would take advantage of young employees who are just starting their time in the workforce,” Raoul said. “The Child Labor Law exists for a reason – to prevent this very situation from occurring, which is why any company that violates the law must be held accountable. I will continue to enforce laws that protect our youngest workers’ rights.”

This case was referred to Attorney General Raoul’s office by the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL).

In July 2023, IDOL received a complaint that Lockor and Kory were permitting or requiring employees under 16 years old to work late-night shifts at a McDonald’s restaurant in the 1000 block of East 9th Street in Lockport. IDOL launched an investigation reviewing employment practices between Jan. 1 to July 8, 2023. The investigation found that 26 of the approximately 36 employees the restaurant employed were 14- or 15-year-old children and that only six of the minors had employment certificates. IDOL also determined that in approximately 55 instances, Lockor and Kory permitted the minors to work more than five hours without a required meal or rest break.

In the complaint, Raoul alleges IDOL’s investigation found at least 48 instances of minors working shifts lasting longer than eight hours. At least one of the minors worked multiple shifts exceeding 12 hours, including some shifts that lasted up to 17 hours. The young McDonald’s employees were also permitted to work past 11 p.m. on school nights, including one minor who worked as late as 1:30 a.m.

“This case should send a clear message: exploiting children in the workplace will not be tolerated in Illinois,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan. “Our investigation uncovered minors working excessive hours, late into the night, and without the basic protections the law requires. These are not technical violations — they are serious breaches that put young people’s health, safety, and education at risk. The Illinois Department of Labor will continue to use every tool available to hold employers accountable and ensure that workplaces protect, not endanger, our children.”

Following its investigation, IDOL sent a formal notice of 568 identified violations of the Child Labor Law and assessed over $2.1 million in civil penalties, which the company has not paid.

Illinois’ Child Labor law allows 14- and 15-year-old children to be employed in most occupations but requires the employer to obtain an employment certificate issued by the child’s school. The law also limits when minors can work and the total hours they are allowed to work each day and week. More specifically, the Child Labor Law prohibits employers from permitting 14- and 15-year-old children to work:
     • More than six consecutive days in one week.
     • Over eight hours per day.
     • Over three hours on a school day.
     • Over eight hours per day combining school and work hours.
     • Over 24 hours any week school is in session.
     • Over 48 hours during any week school is not in session.
     • After 7 p.m. from Labor Day to June 1, or after 9 p.m. from June 1 until Labor Day.

Raoul’s lawsuit asks the court to prevent Lockor and Kory from engaging in employment practices that violate the Child Labor Law. Raoul is also seeking civil penalties to be distributed equally among the affected minors, as well as to the state’s Child Labor and Day and Temporary Labor Services Enforcement Fund.

Attorney General Raoul encourages workers who believe their rights have been violated to call his Workplace Rights Hotline at 1-844-740-5076, or file a complaint in English or en Español by visiting the Attorney General’s website.

Assistant Attorney General Ada Sandoval-Urbina is prosecuting this case for Raoul’s Workplace Rights Bureau.