Illinois Jury Duty Laws: Pay, Exemptions and Employer Rules (2026)

Illinois sets the rules for state-court jury service in the Jury Act, starting with the qualifications in 705 ILCS 305/2, and leaves the daily juror fee largely to each county: the statute sets a low floor of $4 to $10 a day "or such higher amount as may be fixed by the county board" (55 ILCS 5/4-11001). Cook County currently pays $35 a day.

Your employer must give you time off and may not fire, threaten, intimidate or coerce you for serving, and the statute's remedies apply when you deliver a copy of your summons within 10 days of its issuance (705 ILCS 305/4.1). Through December 31, 2026, the Jury Act does not require your employer to pay you for that time, though separate rules cover permanent State employees covered by the CMS Personnel Rules (80 Ill. Adm. Code 303.180) and certificated school employees (105 ILCS 5/10-20.7); starting January 1, 2027, employers with more than 25 employees must pay your regular rate (Public Act 104-683).

Information last verified on October 6, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This page covers trial (petit) and grand jury service in Illinois state circuit courts, which summon jurors county by county. A summons from a federal court (a U.S. District Court in Illinois) follows federal law, summarized on our jury duty laws by state hub.

Do you have to go? The short answer

Yes, unless you are excused. Illinois does not cancel a summons automatically for any job or age group; even the strongest statutory categories, such as caregivers and nursing mothers, depend on a request and a showing to the jury office.

Two statutes apply. The Jury Act (705 ILCS 305) covers every county, and the Jury Commission Act (705 ILCS 310) adds rules for counties that use jury commissioners or a jury administrator; the Act defines a jury administrator as an employee of a circuit court in a county with at least 3,000,000 people, which is Cook County (705 ILCS 310/0.05). Excusal and postponement procedures are run by each county's jury office, so your summons is the starting point. To see which category might fit your situation before you contact the court, try our jury duty exemption checker.

Who can serve on a jury in Illinois

Under 705 ILCS 305/2(a), "Jurors in all counties in Illinois must have the legal qualifications herein prescribed." A juror must be:

• an inhabitant of the county;
• 18 or older;
• a citizen of the United States; and
• "Free from all legal exception, of fair character, of approved integrity, of sound judgment, well informed, and able to understand the English language, whether in spoken or written form or interpreted into sign language."

The statute does not set a minimum length of residence. It also bars excluding a qualified, able person from jury service in any Illinois court "on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or economic status" (705 ILCS 305/2(b)).

Criminal records

The Jury Act and the Jury Commission Act do not contain an express rule about felony convictions. Illinois's Unified Code of Corrections says a conviction does not cause the loss of civil rights except as that section and two Election Code sections provide, and the rights it lists are holding office and voting, not jury service (730 ILCS 5/5-5-5(a)). We have not verified how Illinois courts apply the Jury Act's "free from all legal exception" wording to a past conviction, so if you have a record, ask the jury office on your summons.

Exemptions, excuses and postponements in Illinois

Illinois law gives a few specific routes plus a general undue-hardship standard. The table summarizes them; county jury offices decide the requests and usually ask for documentation.

Undue hardship

The core rule is in 705 ILCS 305/10.2(a): with the prior approval of the chief judge of the circuit, the county board, jury administrator or jury commissioners "shall excuse a prospective juror from jury service if the prospective juror shows that such service would impose an undue hardship on account of the nature of the prospective juror's occupation, business affairs, physical health, family situation, active duty in the Illinois National Guard or Illinois Naval Militia, or other personal affairs."

The word "shows" matters. The excuse depends on your explanation and any proof the office asks for, typically through the qualification and hardship questionnaire sent under the same subsection. The statute does not say how long a hardship excuse lasts.

Caregivers and parents of young children

When the hardship comes from your family situation because you are "the primary care giver of a person with a mental or physical disability, a person with a medically diagnosed behavior problem, or a child under age 12," the jury office "shall excuse" you if it finds that "no reasonable alternative care is feasible which would not impose an undue hardship" on you or the person you care for (705 ILCS 305/10.2(b)). The office makes that finding; it is not a blanket exemption for every parent.

Nursing mothers

Section 10.3 is short and direct: "Any mother nursing her child shall, upon request, be excused from jury service" (705 ILCS 305/10.3). The same rule appears in the Jury Commission Act. Cook County also says it provides a private lactation space in its jury assembly room for those who serve.

Permanent disability

A person found unqualified because of a total and permanent disability, or excused for undue hardship because of one, is permanently removed from all current and later jury lists (705 ILCS 305/10.4). The statute defines a total and permanent disability as an impairment, disease or loss "of a permanent nature that prevents performance of the duties of a juror," and excludes one that "is transitory or minor in nature or is capable of being improved."

Proof can be a letter from a licensed physician, an individualized education program for a special-education participant, or a court order of plenary guardianship (§ 10.4). A temporary illness or injury goes through the ordinary hardship route instead.

Served in the past year

"If a person has served on a jury in a court within one year, he shall be exempt from again serving during such year, unless he waives such exemption" (705 ILCS 305/14). In practice you may still need to tell the court: Cook County says that if you are summoned again within 12 months, call its jury office to be excused, and you may be asked to show proof of service (Cook County).

Military service members

The Jury Act's hardship section names active duty in the Illinois National Guard or Illinois Naval Militia (705 ILCS 305/10.2). In Jury Commission Act counties, a judge may also postpone service for up to a year because of "active duty in military service" (705 ILCS 310/10). Cook County lists being "an active member of the military" among the reasons it will consider, and adds that "National Reserve members are NOT exempt" (Cook County).

Separately, federal law says an active-duty member of the armed forces may not be required to serve on a state or local jury if the member's branch Secretary determines that service would unreasonably interfere with military duties or adversely affect unit readiness, and that determination is conclusive (10 U.S.C. § 982). Ask your command about it if that applies to you.

Cook County: the reasons it lists

The Circuit Court of Cook County publishes the reasons it will consider for excusing a juror: a medical condition that makes service a hazard to your health, active military membership, a lawsuit you currently have filed in Cook County, living in a nursing home or institution, extreme financial hardship, inability to obtain child care, and being the primary caretaker of another person. The court adds that "ALL OF THE ABOVE REASONS MUST BE SUPPORTED WITH THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION IN ORDER TO BE ACCEPTED" (Cook County). Other counties set their own procedures.

Postponing to a later date

The Jury Act does not create a general right to postpone. In counties governed by the Jury Commission Act (those with jury commissioners, and Cook County with its jury administrator), section 10 lets a judge who is satisfied that service at another time will cause less inconvenience "excuse him temporarily from service as juror or grand juror and require him to appear at a subsequent day not later than one year from the time of such excuse" (705 ILCS 310/10).

Cook County says your service date "can be extended either 11 or 22 weeks depending on the circumstances," and lists a scheduled vacation, being a student or teacher during the school period, and seasonal work as examples; for other reasons, call (312) 603-JURY (Cook County). Elsewhere, postponement is handled under each county's own practice.

Is there an age limit for jury duty in Illinois?

No statewide one. The Jury Act and the Jury Commission Act were searched in full: they set a minimum age of 18 and no upper age, exemption or opt-out based on age. A person of any age may still ask to be excused for undue hardship, including physical health, under 705 ILCS 305/10.2.

Cook County runs its own Senior Citizen Opt-Out Program. Jurors 70 or older may transfer to another court location or choose not to serve, but "you must call (312) 603-JURY before your service date." The court adds that "Opting-out does NOT remove your name from the juror list indefinitely," so you may be summoned again and can opt out again then (Cook County). If you live outside Cook County, ask your county's jury office whether it has a similar policy.

How much does jury duty pay in Illinois?

Each Illinois county pays its jurors from the county treasury. The statute sets only a floor: "$4 for each day of necessary attendance at such courts as jurors in counties of the first class, the sum of $5 for each day in counties of the second class, and the sum of $10 for each day in counties of the third class, or such higher amount as may be fixed by the county board" (55 ILCS 5/4-11001). Actual pay is whatever your county board has set.

Cook County's juror page says: "Yes, you are paid for jury service. You will receive $35.00 for each day that you serve" (Cook County). For any other county, check your summons or the county's jury office for the current figure. The statute itself does not list which counties fall in each class.

The clerk gives each juror a certificate of the days attended, which is presented to the county treasurer for payment (55 ILCS 5/4-11001). The child care provision was reworded to "early care and education" by Public Act 104-480, effective July 1, 2026.

Illinois employer rules for jury duty

Time off and job protection

705 ILCS 305/4.1 (mirrored in the Jury Commission Act at 705 ILCS 310/10.1) protects employees summoned for petit or grand jury service in any Illinois court. Its time-off and anti-retaliation rules have no minimum employer size and no full-time or permanent-employee requirement.

• Time off. An employer may not deny an employee time off for jury duty because the employee is assigned to a night shift: "an employer cannot require a night shift worker to work while such employee is doing jury duty in the daytime."
• No retaliation. "No employer shall discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate or coerce any employee by reason of the employee's jury service, or the attendance or scheduled attendance in connection with such service, in any court of this State."
• Seniority and benefits. An employee reinstated after jury service is treated as having been on furlough or leave of absence, keeps seniority, and may take part in the benefits offered to employees on leave (§ 4.1(d)).

Give notice within 10 days

The statute requires you to give your employer "reasonable notice of required jury service," and defines it precisely: "the employee summoned for jury duty must deliver to the employer a copy of the summons within 10 days of the date of issuance of the summons to the employee" (§ 4.1). The remedies below apply when you gave that notice, so hand over a copy of the summons promptly and keep proof that you did.

Does your employer have to pay you?

It depends on the date and, from 2027, on your employer's size.

• Through December 31, 2026: "No employer shall be obligated to compensate an employee for time taken off for jury duty" (705 ILCS 305/4.1(g)). That subsection covers the jury statutes only; other Illinois rules for public employees are below. Cook County's juror FAQ likewise says employers are not required by law to pay employees on jury service. The jury statutes do not address whether an employer may require you to use vacation or sick time.
• From January 1, 2027: Public Act 104-683 rewrites subsection (g): "Employers shall be required to compensate an employee at their regular rate of pay for time serving on jury duty. The requirements of this subsection do not apply to employers with 25 or fewer employees" (Public Act 104-683). The Governor approved the act on July 31, 2026 (HB 4844 bill status).

The new text does not define how employees are counted toward the 25-employee line, does not say how it applies to part-time workers, and states no cap on the number of paid days. If your employer does not pay you for jury service on or after January 1, 2027, ask HR how it reads the rule, or talk to an Illinois employment lawyer.

Many employers already pay jurors under their own leave policies. Two Illinois rules require pay for some public employees. Under the CMS Personnel Rules, "Any permanent employee called for jury duty ... shall be allowed time away from work with pay," and the employee turns the jury fee over to the State unless they elect to use accrued time off and keep it (80 Ill. Adm. Code 303.180). For certificated school employees, "there shall be no loss in salary because of jury duty," except that the school board may deduct the amount received for jury duty (105 ILCS 5/10-20.7). If you work for a county or a city, check your employer's own leave rules.

If your employer violates the law

If you gave reasonable notice, an employer who violates § 4.1 "may be charged with contempt of court," in which case the State's Attorney files and prosecutes a petition for civil contempt, criminal contempt or both. The employer is also liable for any lost wages or other benefits, and may be enjoined from further violations and ordered to reinstate an employee discharged because of jury service (705 ILCS 305/4.1(c)).

An employee who wins a lawsuit brought through a lawyer the employee hired may be awarded reasonable attorney's fees, and these remedies are in addition to any others the law provides (§ 4.1(e), (f)). Section 4.1 does not state a filing deadline, so do not assume you have unlimited time; act promptly.

Cook County's juror page tells jurors fired for serving to write to the Cook County State's Attorney at 50 W. Washington, Room 500 (Cook County). For how this rule fits with other limits on firing, see our page on Illinois at-will employment laws.

What happens if you miss jury duty in Illinois

Under 705 ILCS 305/15, a person who fails to attend when lawfully summoned as a grand or petit juror, "without having a reasonable excuse, shall be considered as guilty of a contempt, and shall be fined by the courts, respectively, in any sum not less than $5 nor more than $100, for the use of the proper county, unless good cause be shown for such default."

The process starts with the court entering an order of attachment against the absent juror, returnable right away. When the juror is brought in, the court assesses the fine unless the person shows good cause, and the juror's own sworn statement is accepted as evidence (§ 15). Cook County tells jurors that "You may be held in contempt of court which could result in a fine or other court-imposed penalty" (Cook County). If you missed your date, contact the jury office on your summons right away.

Not returning a mailed acknowledgment card is different. Under the Jury Act's mail-summons sections, which cover both multi-county and single-county circuits (705 ILCS 305/10 and 10.1), "If the person summoned to be a juror does not return the acknowledgement of the summons in the time period requested, such prospective juror shall not be deemed guilty of contempt of court"; the clerk may instead re-send the summons by certified mail or have the sheriff serve it (705 ILCS 305/10). That protects only the unreturned card, not a failure to show up.

How long jury duty lasts in Illinois

The statutes do not fix a statewide length of service, so it depends on your county. Cook County uses a "one day/one trial" system: "If by the end of your first day of service, you have not been empaneled on a jury and are not in a courtroom for jury selection, you will be excused from further service." If you are selected, you serve for the length of one trial, which Cook County says averages two to three days (Cook County).

Cook County also issues standby summonses; a standby juror must check after 4:30 p.m. on the business day before the service date to learn whether to report. After you serve, the one-year exemption in 705 ILCS 305/14 applies, and Cook County says you should not be called again for 12 months.

How to respond to an Illinois jury summons

Each county's circuit court handles its own summonses, questionnaires and requests. The Illinois Courts' circuit court jury information page links the state's juror handbooks, but excusal and postponement requests go to the county named on your summons.

1. Read the summons for your report date, location, and any standby instructions.
2. Complete and return any questionnaire or acknowledgment the summons includes.
3. If you need an excuse or a new date, contact the jury office using the method on the summons and gather any documentation your county asks for before you ask.
4. Deliver a copy of the summons to your employer within 10 days of its issuance.
5. Treat your report date as firm until the court confirms any change.

In Cook County, the Office of Jury Administration is at the Daley Center, Suite 1000, and takes calls at (312) 603-JURY (5879), 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or email at jury.adm@cookcountyil.gov (Cook County Jury Administration).

Watch for jury duty scam calls

The Circuit Court of Cook County warns that scammers call claiming you missed jury duty and that a warrant has been issued. The court says: "The court will never request personal or financial information by telephone," that its jury office "does not contact jurors by text message or email regarding failure to appear, fines, or warrants," and that "All official jury-related notices are sent only by First-Class or Certified U.S. Mail" (Cook County).

Hang up and call the official number on your summons or the court's own website. Cook County also lists the Illinois Attorney General's Identity Theft Hotline, 1-866-999-5630. Our guide to government impersonation scams explains how these calls work, and our page on Illinois scam and fraud laws covers where else to report.

Recent changes

• Public Act 104-683 (effective January 1, 2027): employers with more than 25 employees must pay employees their regular rate for time serving on jury duty. Until then, the Jury Act's "no employer shall be obligated to compensate" rule stays in force, subject to the separate State-employee and school-employee rules described above.
• Public Act 104-480 (effective July 1, 2026): reworded the juror fee statute's child care reimbursement as "early care and education." Fee amounts did not change.

The court that summoned you applies the law in force on your service date.

Disclaimer: This page is general legal information about Illinois jury service, not legal advice. The court and jury office that summoned you decide every excuse, postponement and opt-out request. Information verified October 6, 2026. For questions about your summons, contact the jury office listed on it; for an employment dispute, consult a lawyer licensed in Illinois.

Related pages

• Jury duty laws by state
• Illinois at-will employment laws
• Illinois court records
• Illinois scam and fraud laws
• Indiana jury duty laws
• Missouri jury duty laws

Last updated: October 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does jury duty pay in Illinois?

Each county board sets the daily fee above a statutory floor of $4, $5 or $10 depending on the county's class (55 ILCS 5/4-11001). Cook County says it pays $35 for each day served; check your summons or county jury office for other counties.

Does my employer have to pay me for jury duty in Illinois?

Not under the Jury Act through December 31, 2026 (705 ILCS 305/4.1(g)), unless you are a permanent State employee covered by the CMS Personnel Rules (paid time away, 80 Ill. Adm. Code 303.180) or a certificated school employee (no loss in salary beyond the jury fee, 105 ILCS 5/10-20.7). From January 1, 2027, Public Act 104-683 requires employers to pay your regular rate, except employers with 25 or fewer employees.

Can I be fired for jury duty in Illinois?

No. An employer may not discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate or coerce an employee because of jury service (705 ILCS 305/4.1(b)). Deliver a copy of your summons within 10 days of its issuance, because the statute's remedies apply when you gave that notice.

Can I get out of jury duty in Illinois if I am over 70?

There is no statewide age exemption in the Jury Act. Cook County lets jurors 70 or older opt out or transfer by calling (312) 603-JURY before the service date, and they may be summoned again later; elsewhere, you may ask for an undue-hardship excuse under 705 ILCS 305/10.2.

How do I get excused from jury duty in Illinois?

Contact the jury office named on your summons and show undue hardship from your occupation, business affairs, physical health, family situation or other personal affairs; the office shall excuse you if you make that showing (705 ILCS 305/10.2(a)). Expect to provide documentation.

Can a parent of a young child be excused from jury duty in Illinois?

A primary caregiver of a child under 12 shall be excused if the jury office finds that no reasonable alternative care is feasible without undue hardship (705 ILCS 305/10.2(b)). A nursing mother shall be excused on request (705 ILCS 305/10.3).

What happens if I miss jury duty in Illinois?

Failing to attend without a reasonable excuse is contempt, and the court may fine you $5 to $100 unless you show good cause (705 ILCS 305/15). Contact the jury office on your summons right away.

How often can you be called for jury duty in Illinois?

A person who served on a jury within the past year is exempt from serving again during that year unless the person waives it (705 ILCS 305/14). Cook County says to call its jury office if you are summoned again within 12 months.

How long is jury duty in Cook County?

Cook County uses one day/one trial: if you are not empaneled or in jury selection by the end of your first day, your service is complete. If you are selected, you serve for one trial, which Cook County says averages two to three days.