South Central Reporter

As of July 9, children under the age of 16 will be allowed to run lemonade stands in Illinois without having to secure a permit or license.

According to Illinois Policy, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 0112, known as Hayli's Law, into law after the bill unanimously passed the Illinois House and Senate. 

"As a co-sponsor of SB 119, commonly referred to as Hayli's Law, I am glad Governor JB Pritzker signed it into law," Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) wrote in a Facebook post. "Illinois is tremendously hostile to business and often fails to follow common sense policies, squashing potential for opportunity, growth, and prosperity for many Illinoisans."

Hayli's Law, filed by Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), according to Illinois Policy, came about after Hayli Martenez started her Haylibug Lemonade stand in 2017 to raise money for her college fund, but city and county health department officials told her to shut down the stand or face fines. 

Plummer said in his post that the bill "is a very tiny step in the right direction. Frankly, it's pretty embarrassing that we even need to pass a law like this but that's where we are in Illinois."

"Illinois government needs to tear down the failed public policies created over the last 20 years that have created the barriers to investment, business growth, and quality jobs that have had such a terrible impact on our state, communities, and families," Plummer wrote. "Now we need to go after the big items - outrageous taxation, uncompetitive workers comp rates, a toxic tort environment, and burdensome regulations - that make Illinois uncompetitive with other states, especially our neighbors"

Hayli's Law ensures local government entities do not try to stop children from selling non-alcoholic mixed beverages on private property or in public parks, Illinois Policy reported.

With the new law, Illinois is one of 16 states that do not require permits for children to run lemonade stands, according to Country Time Lemonade.

Halyi Martenez told Illinois Policy she is excited to start her new lemonade stand, a gift she received from the town mayor. Hayli also runs a successful DJ business, Illinois Policy reported.