Illinois - Jury Duty Laws, Jury Selection, Juror Qualification

Jury Duty in Illinois - What to Expect

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| Juror Qualifications in Illinois - Who Can Be Summoned?

In the American court system, criminal defendants are guaranteed the right to trial by a "jury of their peers". In Illinois, a pool of potential jurors is randomly selected from the local population of individuals eligible for jury duty.

Prospective jurors in the state of Illinois must be:

citizens of the United States

at least 18 years of age

inhabitants of the county in which summoned

free from all legal exception

of fair character

of approved integrity

of sound judgment

well informed

able to understand the English language, whether in spoken or written form or interpreted into sign language.

| Juror Selection in Illinois - What to Expect?

How Are Potential Jurors Chosen in Illinois?

The first stage in jury selection is summoning a pool of potential jurors from the list of local citizens eligible to serve on a jury in Illinois, as described above.

The jury lists are comprised in September, in each year, or at any time thereafter, as necessary, holders of valid driver's licenses, Illinois Identification Cards, or Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Cards, and the claimants for unemployment insurance, and ordered alphabetically and by county.

The jury list shall be made by choosing every tenth name, or other whole number rate necessary, with duplicate names avoided to the extent possible.

Summoned jurors are drawn manually by a blindfolded county clerk, from a well shaken box containing the names; or randomly drawn by a computer.

Receiving a Jury Duty Summons in Illinois

If your name is randomly selected for the jury pool through the process described above, you receive a jury summons in the mail instructing you to appear for jury selection on a pre-set day.

While there are a few excuses for getting out of jury selection in IL, most people summoned will have to report to the courthouse for the next stage of the juror selection process, voir dire.

The Juror Selection Process, or "Voir Dire"

Just because you qualify to be a juror and are summoned for jury selection, doesn't mean that you will be selected to be a juror on a case. The process of "Voir Dire", the actual act of jury selection, is how judges, defense attorneys, and prosecutors actually choose the individuals who will sit on the juries for upcoming criminal and civil cases.

During the voir dire process, each lawyer will ask the pool of potential jurors a series of questions about their background, beliefs, prejudices, or relationships with any party to the case. While the goal is to select an impartial jury to render a verdict, each attorney will also seek to exclude any jurors who seem to be more likely to vote against their client's interests. While jury candidates are instructed to be open and truthful when answering such questions, the juror selection process is also where most individuals who don't wish to serve on a trial find a way to be excused from further juror duties.

What Happens After Jury Selection Day

If you are selected to serve on a jury, you will be provided with the trial date, and must return to serve on the jury for the duration of the trial and deliberations. If you were not selected to serve on any jury during the voir dire process, you can go home, and your Illinois jury duty obligations are complete.

You will receive nominal Illinois jury duty pay for the jury selection day, as well as for any days served on a jury. Once your service is complete, you won't be summoned for jury duty again until Illinois re-adds you to the potential juror pool.

| Jury Duty Attire (Dress Code) in Illinois

Jurors reporting for jury duty or jury selection in the state of Illinois are expected to dress professionally, in a manner appropriate for a court room.

Most courthouses suggest dress ranging from business casual to business attire. For men, this means slacks or khakis and a polo or button-down shirt, potentially with a tie or suit jacket. For women, this means a professional-looking pair of pants or a skirt, cardigan, sweater, twinset, or shirt.

As a juror, you are expected to maintain a professional and respectable appearance while performing your duties. Hats should never be worn in a courtroom, and you should avoid wearing shorts, t-shirts, tanktops, or anything printed with logos or slogans.

| How Frequently Can I Be Called for Jury Duty in Illinois?

While jury duty is a civic requirement for all eligible citizens in Illinois, the state restricts how often you can be summoned for jury duty in order to ensure a fresh jury pool and prevent undue hardship by being summoned too frequently.

Illinois Jury Duty Summons Frequency:

Persons having completed jury service are not required to serve again for a period of 12 months from the date last served.

| What Happens If I Fail to Appear for Jury Duty in IL?

While there are a number of ways to be legally excused from jury duty in Illinois, failing to appear when summoned for jury selection or jury duty without an excuse is illegal, and can result in legal repercussions.

Juror in default or failing to attend a summons without reasonable excuse shall be found in contempt of court and fined not less than $5 and no more than $100.

Employers in Illinois are also forbidden from penalizing employees who miss work for jury duty.

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