Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Mar. 5 that his office has filed a lawsuit against the president and manager of Lockor LCC, which operates a McDonald’s restaurant in Lockport, for allegedly violating Illinois Child Labor Law more than 550 times by employing minors without proper permits and allowing them to work excessive hours.
The lawsuit claims that at least 26 children aged 14 or 15 were employed without required employment certificates and worked shifts beyond legal limits, including some as long as 17 hours straight during the school year. The case highlights concerns about workplace protections for young employees and underscores the importance of enforcing child labor laws to safeguard their health, safety, and education.
According to the complaint, Lockor LCC and its owner Nicholas J. Kory failed over a seven-month period to obtain documentation authorizing minors to work, allowed them to work without rest or meal breaks, scheduled shifts longer than eight hours—including multiple instances exceeding twelve hours—and permitted late-night work past legal curfews. One minor reportedly worked until 1:30 a.m. on a school 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.”
The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) referred the case after receiving complaints in July 2023 about underage employees working late-night shifts at the McDonald’s location on East 9th Street in Lockport. An IDOL investigation found only six out of approximately thirty-six minor employees had employment certificates and documented at least fifty-five instances where minors worked more than five hours without required breaks. IDOL identified a total of 568 violations and assessed over $2.1 million in civil penalties, which remain unpaid by the company.
Jane Flanagan, Director of the Illinois Department of Labor, said: “This case should send a clear message: exploiting children in the workplace will not be tolerated in Illinois… These are not technical violations — they are serious breaches that put young people’s health, safety, and education at risk.” The lawsuit seeks court orders preventing further violations by Lockor and Kory as well as civil penalties distributed among affected minors and state enforcement funds.
Illinois law allows employment of children aged fourteen or fifteen with proper certification but restricts their working hours during school sessions and prohibits late-night shifts beyond certain times depending on the season.
The Attorney General’s office provides services such as complaint filing for consumer fraud and civil rights according to its official website. The office also advocates for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants, seniors; handles thousands of consumer complaints each year; aims to protect consumers while promoting safer communities; extends advocacy efforts statewide; and partners with law enforcement agencies according to its official website.
