Is it legal to leave kids home alone in Illinois? What law says, what experts recommend

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Summer is a time for block parties, daytrips to the waterpark and lots of family fun.

But what if parents want to get away from the house for a few hours to unwind away from the kids? Is that legal in Illinois?

State law doesn’t have a black-and-white answer to whether you can leave your kids home alone, but there are several key things parents should know.

Here’s what we found.

Is it illegal to leave kids home alone in Illinois?

Illinois technically doesn’t have any laws prohibiting children from being left home alone. The state does have statutes outlining parents’ responsibilities regarding their children under 18, however.

While it’s not considered child neglect to simply leave a minor at home alone, Illinois statutes clarify which conditions would be cause for concern, such as not providing the legally required education for a minor or leaving the minor in an injurious environment.

The statutes specify that it is considered child neglect if the minor’s parent or guardian “leaves the minor without supervision for an unreasonable period of time without regard for the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that minor.” The law does not cite a specific age or length of time that must be followed, however.

Instead, the statutes list several contributing factors that should be considered in these cases, such as the time of day, the number of minors left at the location and the special needs of the minor.

“A minor shall not be considered neglected for the sole reason that the minor’s parent or other person responsible for the minor’s welfare permits the minor to engage in independent activities,” the statutes read. “‘Independent activities’ include… remaining at home or at a similarly appropriate location unattended.”

At what age can children be left home alone in Illinois?

Illinois passed a public act in 2023 addressing misinterpretations of the state’s child neglect law.

The public act reads, “Illinois law has been widely misinterpreted as stating that children cannot be left home alone, under any circumstances, unless the children are at least 14 years old. This interpretation is inaccurate.”

The act’s text goes on to say, “Whether a child is sufficiently mature to be safely left home alone varies based on the circumstances and many factors, including, but not limited to, the age of the child, the child’s individual developmental capacity, the length of time the child will be alone and the safety conditions of the home.”

SafeKids.org found that children are generally ready to be left unsupervised around age 12-13, though children develop at different rates. There’s no “magic age” when a kid becomes suddenly responsible enough to be left by themselves for long hours at a time. What it really comes down to, experts say, is maturity.

Basic skills every home-alone kid should have

Children, experts say, should have several basic skills before being left at home alone, which include knowing how to lock and unlock a door; how to respond if a stranger knocks or calls; how to apply basic first aid; how to be safe in the kitchen; how to make themselves a snack; and what to do in an emergency situation, such as a fire or tornado.

Of critical importance: They must have a reliable method of communication to call their parent or guardian, or 9-1-1.

How to know if you can leave a child home alone

Experts recommend parents assess their child’s needs, which begins with a conversation. Does your child want to be alone? For other considerations, the Children’s Service Society of Utah has this checklist:

• Physically, is your child able to:
  • Lock and unlock doors and windows in your home?
  • Do self-care tasks, such as making a sandwich, dialing the phone and writing messages?
• Mentally, does your child:
  • Tell time?
  • Recognize danger and know when to get help?
  • Understand clearly what “stranger” and “emergency” mean?
  • Solve problems on his or her own?
  • Consider how his or her actions affect others?
• Socially, does your child:
  • Solve conflicts with siblings with little help from adults?
  • Talk easily to you about school, friends and about his or her feelings?
  • Feel confident enough to contact an adult if a problem arises?
• Emotionally, does your child:
  • Feel confident and secure when alone?
  • Seem willing to stay alone for short periods? For longer periods?
  • Know how to handle fear, loneliness or boredom?
  • Handle responsibilities, such as going to school on time?
  • Know how to look out for younger siblings?
• Before you leave your child, show them:
  • Where things are in the house and how they work (circuit breaker, etc).
  • Where the flashlight and first aid kit are located.
  • Things in the house that may make strange noises.
  • How to be safe in the kitchen, including turning off the stove.
  • Who to call or where to go if there is a problem.
  • What they need to do as soon as they get home (lock the door, call you, etc).
  • What gas smells like when it is leaking (if applicable) and what to do.
• Practice with your child:
  • Safe ways to answer the phone and the door.
  • How to get out if there’s a fire.
  • Locking and unlocking doors.
• Prepare for your child:
  • A phone list of people they know well and can call if they need help.
  • A list of house rules (for moments when friends arrive at the door).
  • Healthy snack foods they can prepare without cooking.
  • An extra key hidden outside in case they lock themselves out.
  • Fun things for each child to do when they get home.
  • Leave on lights or radio as pre-planned with them.
• Protect your child:
  • Lock up medicines, alcohol and weapons.
  • Install smoke detectors and make sure they work.
  • Let them know what time you will be home; call if you will be late.
  • Ask them how things went; allow them to suggest changes in these plans

Reporting child abuse and neglect in Illinois

Illinois’ Department of Child and Family Service recommends you report suspected child abuse or neglect to its hotline at 1-800-25ABUSE (252-2873) or online at childabuse.illinois.gov.

The hotline is available24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and reports can be made anonymously. Nevertheless, state law protects the confidentiality of all reporters, meaning your name will never be disclosed.

“As much as 70% of child abuse goes unreported,” according to the Illinois DCFS.