An employer may not force an employee to work through a meal break. Employees must be afforded reasonable bathroom breaks.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. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. 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. The law requires employers to provide one hour of paid time off, which can be used for any reason, including vacation and sick leave, for every 40 hours worked. Provides employees with 24 consecutive hours of rest within every seven (7) consecutive day period. • Employers may obtain permits from. Police detained an international trade union delegation, forced them out of their vans and told to turn over their IDs.