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.For every 7.5 hours worked, Illinois state law allows one meal break to be taken no later than 5 hours from the start of the shift. In Illinois, employees are entitled to a 10minute paid rest break for every 4 hours of work they complete. Illinois law doesn't require employers to give their employees 30-minute meal breaks. Federal law doesn't require meal breaks, but Illinois law does. Illinois law doesn't require employers to give their employees 30-minute meal breaks. Employees who work at least 7.5 continuous hours or more are entitled to a 20-minute unpaid meal break. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. The Illinois law that applies is called the "One Day Rest in Seven Act" (or, "ODRISA").