{"id":373113,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:11","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-legal-ages-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-02-13T13:53:55","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T18:53:55","slug":"illinois-legal-ages-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-legal-ages-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Illinois Legal Ages Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Illinois Legal Ages Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

In most states, including Illinois, the age of majority is 18. At this age, a minor is legally recognized as an adult. Prior to that age and after it, laws in all states dictate certain rights and responsibilities for minors and adults. Here is a brief summary of these legal age laws in Illinois.<\/p>\r\n

Age of Majority in Illinois<\/h2>\r\n

Children become adults in the eyes of the law at 18 in most states, including Illinois. Legal age laws<\/a> also determine when a child may apply for emancipation from their parents, enter into contracts, file lawsuits, and consent to medical treatment.<\/p>\r\n

Illinois Age Statutes<\/h2>\r\n

Each state may have different age laws and limits. Learn more about Illinois’ legal age laws in the following table.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Age of Majority<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Under 5\/13-211<\/a>, the age of majority is 18.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Eligibility for Emancipation<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Contracts by Minors<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Minors’ Ability to Sue<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Under \u00a7735 ILCS 5\/13-211<\/a>, a guardian ad litem<\/a> must be appointed to assist a minor in filing a lawsuit within two years of the minor turning 18.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Minors’ Consent to Medical Treatment<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n