An employer may not force an employee to work through a meal break. Employers must pay employees during a break period.Employees must be afforded reasonable bathroom breaks. 1, 2022) and Overtime Hotline: 1-800-478-3998. 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. Right to work laws prevent employers from requiring union membership. Applicants and employees can't be denied or fired for not joining a union. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day.