How old does a child have to be to legaly be left home alone in Illinois?

Answer 1

Call your DFCS office to inquire. There are many factors.

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Answer 2

I am in Louisiana, and I had the same question. I had an 11 and 12 year old. Both were mature children for their age, relatively well behaved and both self sufficient in their everyday tasks. I didn't feel a sitter was needed anymore for after school care. But like you, I was still concerned. I called the Department of Social Services, and asked them how old was an acceptable age to leave the children alone after school, and on occassion when there was no school, all day. Their answer was, as long as I felt the children were mature enough, and understood the rules of the house, I could leave them. He also asked if they were capable of using a phone to call me at any time, and if there was an adult possibly close by in the neighborhood, of course the answer to both were yes. They refered to this situation as "latch key children". Wherein they were not allowed to run the streets, and they had to understand that they needed to stay indoors with the doors locked. I also made it a rule for them not to answer the phone or the door, unless I was calling or a relative. If you don't have caller ID, I would suggest you have it available.

Hope this helps. If you have any doubt, just call your local Social Service, of Family Service office and ask a counselor there.

Good luck.

Answer 3

18

Answer 4

It should depend on the maturity of the child and decided by the parent. The legal age in any state is just that a legal guideline and nothing more. Any parent should be able to decide this age for their own child's growth, attention awareness and demeanor of his or her actions.

Answer 5

I am in Illinois and i called the children's welfare department. they told me the same thing, that it was left up to the parents and the maturity level of the individual child.

Answer 6

i don't know about legally,how much do you trust your child?