Illinois Law Amends Meal and Rest Break Rules and Penalties

Illinois is amending its meal and rest break statutes under a bill (S.B. 3146) Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed May 13 that is effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Illinois employees that work over 7.5 consecutive hours are entitled to an additional 20-minute meal break for every additional 4.5 hours worked, according to the bill. The meal break does not include reasonable time spent using the restroom.

Employers must conspicuously post a notice from the state labor department informing employees of the state’s meal and rest break requirements, the bill states. Employers may provide the notice by email or through ...