Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois

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Jury Service Questions

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1. How do I respond to my juror questionnaire online?

Select the Juror eResponse System link. You may want to save this address in your Favorites. Enter the candidate ID number on the questionnaire and your zip code and click on the log in button. Review additional information on the Jury Questionnaire page. If you have any problems, call 309-672-6076.

2. After I have served, when am I qualified to serve again?

After completing jury service, you should not be called to service again for a period of 1 year from the date you last served. If you are summoned again within this time period, simply call the jury commission office at 309-672-6076 to be excused.

3. Can I volunteer for jury service?

Because jury service is a random selection, it is not possible to volunteer.

4. How are jurors selected for a jury trial?

After a jury panel is selected and is taken to the courtroom, a process known as voir dire begins. During voir dire, the judge and attorneys will ask jurors questions to see if you can keep and open mind and be fair. After the juror has been questioned, the juror will either be selected or excused from that particular case. If a juror is selected, you will then receive instructions from the judge as to what is expected of you. Those jurors, who were not selected, will return to the jury assembly room and wait for another jury trial to start.

5. How are jurors selected for jury service?

Every year the Jury Commission office receives a list of names that have been randomly selected from drivers license, voter s registration, and Illinois ID card. This list is obtained from the AOIC (Administrative Office of Illinois Courts) in Springfield, Illinois. These names are then combined into one master list and names are randomly selected to receive a juror questionnaire. When the questionnaire is returned, the jury commissioners then qualify potential jurors. Once qualified the jurors are randomly selected to receive a jury summons.

6. Is there anything I should avoid once I have been summoned for jury duty?

Avoid reading, listening, or watching media accounts of trials that may be scheduled during your term of service.

7. Must my employer pay me while I'm on jury service?

No, according to Illinois law, "An employer may not deny an employee time off for jury duty. No employer shall discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate or coerce and employee by reason of the employees jury service, or the attendance or scheduled attendance in connection with such service..." 705 ILCS 304/4.1(a) Remember to provide your employer with a copy of your summons immediately upon receiving the summons.

8. What are my duties as a juror?

Your duty as a juror is to weigh all the evidence and testimony presented to you and decide the outcome of the case based upon the law and the evidence. Your decision must be fair, impartial, and free of any bias or prejudice. Jury service is the basis of our judicial system and is essential to the administration of justice.

9. What are the different types of cases for which I might be selected?

There are two basic types of cases: criminal cases and civil cases. 

The differences between the two are as follows: 

• In a criminal case, the jury decides the guilt or innocence of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. 
• In a civil case, the jury listens to both the plaintiff and defendant side and decides on the issue in question. The jury may also decide whether or not money damages should be given and if given how much those damages will be.

10. What are the qualifications required to be a juror?

To qualify as a juror you must be: 

• A resident of Peoria County 
• At least 18 years of age or older 
• Able to understand the English language 
• A United States citizen

11. What does the Jury Commission do?

About the Commission 
The Jury Commission is established by Illinois Compiled Statute.  The Jury Commission consists of three commissioners who are appointed by the Circuit Court.  Each serves a three-year term, on a rotating basis.

Duties 
The duties of the commissioners are outlined by Illinois Compiled Statutes pertaining to obtaining a random selection of Peoria County citizens to serve as jurors.  The jury manager is appointed by the Circuit Court in conjunction with the commissioners.  The purpose of the Jury Commission is to provide the jurors necessary to serve the needs of the Circuit Court, and the state's attorney of Peoria County in a manner strictly outlined by Illinois Compiled Statutes.

The functions of the office of the Jury Commission are:

• To follow the direction of the Circuit Court
• Mailing juror questionnaires
• Mailing juror summonses
• To defer jurors
• The assignment of jurors
• To provide information and assistance to summoned jurors
• The orientation of jurors
• To provide verification of jury duty to employers
• To ensure payment for jury service

These duties are accomplished in a fair manner to minimize the intrusion of jury duty into the lives of the citizens of Peoria County.

12. What facilities are available?

There are a variety of vending machines for soft drinks and food available on the ground floor of the courthouse. There are also several restaurants close by. In the jury assembly room, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are available to the jurors. There is also a refrigerator and microwave if you wish to bring your lunch. There are telephones located in the jury assembly room that are available for juror use.

13. What happens during a trial?

Events in a trial usually happen in a particular order, although the judge may change the order. 

Here is the usual order of events: 

• Selection of jury 
• Opening statements 
• Presentation of evidence 
• Closing arguments 
• Jury instructions 
• Jury deliberations 
• Announcement of the verdict.

14. What is the compensation for jury service?

As of September 22, 2016, petit and grand jurors are paid $15 day and .10 cents per mile. The Coroners jurors are paid. $15 a day and .10 cents a mile. Juror checks are mailed out within 14 days of your last day of service.

15. What should I wear to jury service?

Jurors should dress appropriately in keeping with courtroom decorum.

16. Who is entitled to a jury trial?

Any person charged with a criminal offense or any party in a civil case has the right to a trial by jury. All parties are equal before the law and each is given the same fair and impartial treatment.

17. Will I receive a letter of attendance for my employer?

You will receive a proof of service for your employer once you have completed your jury service.

18. Why is jury service important?

The United States Constitution and the Illinois Constitution guarantee all people regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status the right to trial a trial by an impartial jury of one's peers. In order to uphold this guarantee, we need those summoned to participate in the jury process to ensure every citizens right to have their case decided by an impartial jury selected from a representative pool of prospective jurors.

19. Is there a maximum age for a juror?

In order to serve as a juror you must be 18 years old.  However, there is no maximum age at which you are no longer qualified to serve as a juror.