An employer may not force an employee to work through a meal break. One Day Rest In Seven Act (ODRISA) requires employers to provide employees a minimum of 24 hours of rest within every consecutive 7-day period.Illinois labor laws require employers to provide a 20minute meal break for employees who work at least 7.5 consecutive hours. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. In Illinois, employees are entitled to a 10minute paid rest break for every 4 hours of work they complete. Illinois employers must provide a meal break to employees who work at least seven and a half continuous hours. This break must be at least 20 minutes long. Meal Breaks: Employees are entitled to a 20-minute meal break for every 7.5-hour shift. This break must be given no later than 5 hours into the shift. In these areas, employees are entitled to accrue paid sick time at a minimum rate of one hour per every 40 hours worked, up to a certain limit.