Metro East Sun

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed Hayli's Law, which takes away barriers for children to run lemonade stands in Illinois. 

This law ensures that children under 16 can run a lemonade stand without a permit or license. 

Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Vandalia) says the law "is a very tiny step in the right direction," in a statement on Facebook. 

He co-sponsored the law and said that it is overdue. 

"Frankly, it's pretty embarrassing that we even need to pass a law like this but that's where we are in Illinois," Plummer said. 

Hayli Martenez, the namesake of the law, started her Haylibug Lemonade stand to raise money for her college fund, but city and county health department officials told her to shut down the stand or face fines, Illinois Policy reported.

As Illinois Policy reported, Illinois is one of 16 states that do not require permits for lemonade stands, according to Country Time Lemonade. 

The bill ensures local government does not try to stop children from selling non-alcoholic mixed beverages on private property or in public parks, Illinois Policy reported.

Senate Bill 0112 was filed by Sen. Patrick Joyce.

"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 said. 

Plummer said that this should be a stepping stone for laws that have even larger impacts. 

"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," Plummer said. 

Illinois Policy reported that Hayli is excited to start her lemonade stand three years after the fight for her stand began.