EXHIBIT 5
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                      [LORD, BISSELL & BROOK LETTERHEAD]



                                 April 7, 1998


Methode Electronics, Inc.
7444 West Wilson Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60656


Ladies and Gentlemen:

          We are acting as counsel to Methode Electronics, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with its Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") being filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"),
covering an additional 100,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company,
$.50 par value per share (the "Shares") to be issued pursuant to the Methode
Electronics, Inc. Electronic Controls Division Cash and Class A Common Stock
Bonus Plan (the "Plan").

          In connection with the offering of the Shares, we have examined:

          (i)   the Registration Statement including the exhibits thereto;
                
          (ii)  the Plan;
                
          (iii) certain resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the
                Company relating to the authorization, issuance and sale of the
                Shares pursuant to the Plan; and
                
          (iv)  such other documents as we deem necessary to form the opinions
                hereinafter expressed.

          As to various questions of fact material to such opinions, where
relevant facts were not independently established, we have relied upon
statements of officers of the Company. Our opinion assumes that the pertinent
provisions of such blue sky and state securities laws as may be applicable have
been complied with and that the Shares are issued in accordance with the terms
of the Plan.

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Methode Electronics, Inc.
April 7, 1998
Page 2


          Based and relying solely upon the foregoing, we advise you that, in
our opinion, the Shares, or any portion thereof, to the extent such Shares
represent original issuances by the Company when issued pursuant to the Plan
after the Registration Statement has become effective under the Act, will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

          We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we
come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of
the Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
promulgated thereunder.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    LORD, BISSELL & BROOK


                                    By: /s/ James W. Ashley, Jr.
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                                            James W. Ashley, Jr.
           
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