An additional 20-minute meal break must be permitted if working a 12-hour shift or longer. If an employee works through a meal break, they must be paid.Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. Does your state require employers give workers lunch breaks? Find out the regulations on lunch break laws and rest periods here. In Chicago, Illinois, employees who are scheduled for shifts of 7.5 hours (and less than 12 hrs) are entitled to a meal break of at least 20 minutes. Employers must provide employees one day of rest in seven (ODRISA). This is defined as 24 consecutive hours of rest in every calendar week. An additional 30minute unpaid meal break when working more than 12 hours in a day. A paid 10-minute rest period for every four hours worked.