State lawsuit against Lockport McDonald’s based on strengthened child labor law
Illinois is suing a Lockport McDonald’s owner for alleged child labor violations, citing a 2024 law with increased penalties.Summary
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against Nicholas Kory and his company, Lockor, owners of a Lockport McDonald’s, alleging violations of the state’s child labor law. The lawsuit stems from a 2023 investigation revealing numerous instances of minors working late hours, sometimes past midnight, and on school nights. These violations are now subject to steeper penalties due to a law signed by Governor JB Pritzker in 2024, which increased civil penalties for child labor violations to up to $10,000 per day.
As of Thursday, Lockor allegedly owes $2.1 million in civil penalties. The lawsuit details at least 568 violations observed between January 1, 2023, and July 8, 2023, including instances of 14-year-olds working past 11 p.m. on school nights. This case follows a similar instance in Will County in 2023, where Syl’s restaurant was fined for child labor and overtime violations.
The U.S. Department of Labor has also seen a 31% increase in child labor violations nationally between 2019 and 2024, and the Illinois Department of Labor collected $4.5 million in penalties in Fiscal Year 2025. Funds from these penalties are used to further enforce child labor laws.
(Source：Shaw Local)