Meal Breaks Handbook Statement: Illinois

Employees who work a shift of between seven and one-half and 12 consecutive hours will be provided at least one 20-minute meal break to begin no later than five hours after the start of work. Employees who work a shift of between twelve and sixteen and one-half consecutive hours will be provided two 20-minute meal breaks, with the first to begin no later than five hours after the start of work. The second break will generally be taken after the beginning of the twelfth hour of work. Employees who work more than sixteen and one-half consecutive hours of work will be provided a third 20-minute meal period, and employees who work a shift in excess of twenty-one consecutive hours of work will be provided a fourth 20-minute meal period.

During the break, employees will be relieved of all duties. Reasonable time using restroom facilities will not be considered a meal period.

An uninterrupted meal break lasting 30 or more minutes will be