In Illinois, a shift lasting 7.5 hours or more entitles employees to a meal break of 20 minutes. The meal break must be taken not more than five hours after the employee has initiated work. If an employee works for more than 10 hours, they are entitled to two meal breaks, with a minimum of 20 minutes each.
Illinois and federal wage and hour regulations do not set limits on the number of hours employees are permitted to work in a day or week. With few exceptions, the state requires employers to give workers at least 24 hours off in each calendar week.
Senate Bill 3146 changes this. It establishes that non-exempt employees in Illinois must have at least one day of rest in each successive seven-day time period, no matter where those days are on a calendar week.
Break laws by state StateRest breakMinor break Arkansas / Required for minors under 16 working in entertainment — the duration of the break is up to the employer. California A 10-min rest period for every 4 hours worked. Adult break regulations apply. Colorado A 10-min rest period for every 4 hours worked. / Connecticut / /47 more rows
Effective July 1, 2024, the Freelance Worker Protection Act (FWPA) provides new protections for “independent contractors” who contract with any (non-governmental) person or entity to provide products or services in Illinois, or with an entity located in Illinois, worth at least $500 (either in a single contract or in ...
Break laws by state StateRest breakMinor break Arkansas / Required for minors under 16 working in entertainment — the duration of the break is up to the employer. California A 10-min rest period for every 4 hours worked. Adult break regulations apply. Colorado A 10-min rest period for every 4 hours worked. / Connecticut / /47 more rows
Rest breaks must also be spaced out so that they fall in the middle of each work period. This means if employees work 8 hour shifts, they should have one rest break before their meal break and the second rest break afterwards.
The Illinois law that applies is called the “One Day Rest in Seven Act” (or, “ODRISA”). In addition to requiring one day off for every consecutive seven-day period, the Act also requires a minimum 20-minute meal break if you work at least 7.5 hours a day (which has to be given within the first 5 hours of the shift).