No minimum age south of the border:

http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/...ngLicense.aspx

However the IDNR does state: "It is the policy of IDNR that youth under the age of (10) must be accompanied to and during the safety education courses by an adult or guardian at least sixteen years of age."

Been that way for a long time here I guess; I took my Hunter Safety Course in Wisconsin in 1977