SPRINGFIELD – As the heat of summer approaches, some kids are working to make a little bit of cash mowing lawns, babysitting or establishing a lemonade stand outside their home.

Hayli Martinez an 11-year-old girl from Kankakee, had the perfect idea last summer to sell lemonade with different flavors in order to earn money for her college funds.

However, after much success, her lemonade stand was flagged by Kankakee Health Department officials and it was shut down soon after.

“My lemonade stand is a dream I shared with my grandma before she passed away. She always told me to make lemonade out of lemons, so I did,” Hayli said. “When my lemonade stand was shut down I became very upset. I asked myself, ‘Why me?’ I didn’t do anything wrong.”

To prevent other kids from losing their lemonade stands, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) introduced Hayli’s Law.

Soon after Sen. Joyce heard the story from a concerned constituent, he knew he had to take the issue to Springfield. 

“I can’t stress enough that we should allow our young entrepreneurs to dream big without any hurdles,” Joyce Said. “Hayli’s law is extremely important to me because I once was kid with a dream to own my own business.”

Senate Bill 3459 would eliminate any requirements such as a licenses, permits, or fees to sell lemonade or other non-alcoholic beverages from individuals under the age of 16.

“Hayli’s law is important to me because it’s time to make a change and all little kids love lemonade,” Hayli said.

SB 3459 passed committee and will advance to the Senate floor.