An employer may not force an employee to work through a meal break. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day.In Illinois, anyone who works at least 7.5 continuous hours is entitled to a 20minute break, at a minimum. The FLSA dictates that employees must be compensated for all hours of work. This includes any authorized rest periods of 20 minutes or less. 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. 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. Does your state require employers give workers lunch breaks? Find out the regulations on lunch break laws and rest periods here.