Wait - as I read it I thought so too! No he can't and thus my e-mail question to which
Yes he can!
As long as he has his has passed a IL DNR approved Hunter Safety course and has a FOID card. If at Age 13 he has that card and certificate he can choose to hunt alone.
Another link to read about FOID
http://www.pagunblog.com/2007/05/13/youth-shooting/
That is how I read it.