A revised jury message will be accessible starting Sunday after 5:00 p.m. Please ensure you listen to the entire message before ending the call to acquire all necessary details. Jurors will only be summoned as required. If you are called to serve, typically the jury selection occurs on the first day. During this process, the Judge will inform jurors of the estimated trial duration. Any scheduling conflicts can be addressed at that time. A standard trial day runs from 8:30 A.M. to either 4:00 or 4:30 P.M., with brief morning and afternoon breaks, as well as an hour allocated for lunch.

Under exceptional circumstances, the Trial Judge has the authority to excuse or postpone jury duty for various reasons, including undue hardship resulting from the prospective juror's occupation, business commitments, health issues, family responsibilities, military service, or personal matters. Requests for exemption should specify the reasons, and if pertaining to health, supporting documentation such as a physician's statement is encouraged. Written requests will be reviewed by the Trial Judge, and if excused, notification will be sent by mail from the Clerk's office. It's important to note that the Clerk does not have the authority to excuse jurors, and requests made orally will not be considered.

Every individual duly summoned for jury duty, who is not legally ineligible to serve, is entitled to time off from their employment as per state law. Enclosed is a copy of the statute (Chapter 705 ILCS 305/4.1 – Jury Duty – Notice to Employer – Right to Time Off). It is anticipated that all citizens will honor their civic responsibility to participate in jury service. While employers are not obligated to provide compensation for jury duty days, many choose to do so voluntarily.

Jurors are advised to dress in appropriate attire for the courtroom. As temperature regulation can be challenging to accommodate everyone's preferences, it's advisable to bring a sweater in case the room feels too cool. The following clothing items are considered inappropriate for the courtroom: shorts, cut-offs, tank tops, halter tops, mesh shirts, and any attire displaying inappropriate or offensive logos, pictures, or writing.

Jurors who fulfill their service will be remunerated for their time. Payment will be disbursed via a check mailed to the address provided on your questionnaire.

In the event of inclement weather or emergency courthouse closures, updates will be broadcasted on local news radio stations. Additionally, you can monitor the status of jury service through the Douglas County Circuit Clerk’s app, conveniently downloadable from app stores.

Jurors are advised to arrive 15 minutes before their designated reporting time to undergo security screening procedures. Please note that all individuals must pass through a metal detector and may undergo additional screening if necessary. Prohibited items include knives of any kind, firearms or ammunition, personal protection sprays such as pepper spray, aerosol sprays, and any other items deemed threatening by court security.

Cell phones and other electronic recording devices are allowed within the courthouse premises. However, it's important to note that these devices are not permitted inside the courtroom or any offices within.

1. Any person who is not legally disqualified to serve on juries, and has been duly summoned for jury duty for either petit or grand jury service, shall be given time off from employment to serve upon the jury for which such employee is summoned, regardless of the employment shift such employee is assigned to at the time of service of such summons. An employee shall give his employer reasonable notice of required Jury service. An employer may not deny an employee time off for jury duty because such employee is then assigned to work a night shift of employment, that is, an employer cannot require a night shift worker to work while such employee is doing jury duty in the daytime.
2. 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.
3. If an employee gives reasonable notice of required jury service, any employer who violated the provisions of this Section:
   1. May be charged with contempt of court. In such an event, the State’s Attorney shall file a petition for civil contempt, criminal contempt, or both, against the employer to be prosecuted by the State’s Attorney; and
   2. Shall be liable for damages for any loss of wages or other benefits suffered by an employee for reason of the violation; and
   3. May be enjoined from further violations of this Section and ordered to reinstate any employee discharged by reason of jury service.
4. Any individual who is reinstated to a position of employment in accordance with this Section shall be considered as having been on furlough or leave of absence during this period of jury service, shall be reinstated to his position of employment without loss of seniority, and shall be entitled to participate in insurance or other benefits offered by the employer under established rules and practices relating to employees on furlough or leave of absence in effect with the employer at the time the individual entered upon jury service.
5. In any action or proceeding under this Section, the court may award a prevailing employee who brings the action by retained counsel a reasonable attorney’s fee.
6. Any right or remedy provided in this Section is in addition to any right or remedy otherwise provided by law to an employee.
7. No employer shall be obligated to compensate an employee for time taken off for jury duty.
8. The official responsible for issuing the summons may advise the juror of his rights under this Act by printed insert with the summons or on the summons itself.