This is not legal advice, but my
understanding is that those Federal mandatory break rules ONLY apply
to minors (under 18 years old). Of course, there are a few
regulated industries, like airline pilots and truck drivers that
have breaks written into law, but for most of us, it is just our
employers policy. And they can always fire us for failing to follow
their policy, but we don't have a practical recourse if we don't get
the breaks as promised.
Now, some states have their own rules that
may apply. Here's a good summary:
http://www.dol.gov/esa/programs/whd/state/rest.htm
As to the question regarding what you are
paid for, that's really a case-specific issue that would have to do
with your contact and terms of employment. Again, I'm not a lawyer,
but common sense says the company could have a policy requiring
those breaks and since you are not performing work during them, you
wouldn't be paid for them.
According to the table on the page
referenced above, Illinois, your state, only has protection for
hotel workers, so it looks like you wouldn't be entitled to pay for
the breaks.
