United States Courts

Most Frequently Asked Questions on the Jury Line

When do I get paid?
Jurors are paid within 3-5 business days of the end of the two week term in the Eastern Division and within 2 weeks after their first appearance in the Western Divison.

May I still mail in my summons even though my five days to return it to your office have elapsed?
Yes, you may return your info sheet after the five days have passed; however, this will give the court less time to process your request. If you are requesting to be excused or postponed, please fax your completed Information Form and written request to (312) 554-8673 for Chicago and (815) 987-4291 for Rockford.

Why did I receive a Follow-up letter, if I returned my info sheet to your office as requested?
You were ordered to appear and did not follow instructions. A Follow-Up letter is automatically sent out to all jurors who are absent on their reporting dates. You are expected to appear UNLESS after you called 1 (800) 572-4210 you were excused, postponed or told not to appear. If qualified, you must call 1 (800) 572-4210 after 5:00 P.M. the night before your reporting date and every evening during the two-week term for Chicago or every Friday before your possible reporting date in Rockford. Failure to abide by the reporting instructions will result in a Follow-Up letter. Failure to abide by the Follow-Up letter may result in a $100.00 fine, 3 days in prison or both [28USC 1886(g)].

May I postpone my jury service a second time?
Requests to be transferred to a closer location cannot be accommodated. There are two divisions in the Northern District of Illinois. They are located in Chicago and Rockford. In most situations you have been summoned to appear at the Federal Court closest to your home.

If I serve on a trial, is my service over after the trial is completed?
A typical jury day begins at 9:00 A.M. and ends at 5:00 P.M. Your schedule will depend on the court's schedule.

May I request an excuse or postponement over the telephone?
No. In order to maintain an official record, requests to be excused or postponed must be submitted in writing.

If I serve on a trial, is my service over after the trial is completed?
No. If you serve as a juror on a trial, at the end of the trial (regardless of its duration), your service will continue until the end of the two-term for Chicago.

What time will I leave at the end of the day?
A typical jury day begins at 9:00 A.M. and ends at 5:00 P.M. Your schedule will depend on the court's schedule.

What should a juror do if he cannot make it to jury duty on the day he was required to appear?
For Chicago, you are expected to contact the jury section at (312) 435-5684, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. so that we may be aware of your situation. For Rockford call (815) 987-4354.If you are a juror on a specific trial you will be given a least one emergency contact number. It is absolutely necessary that you call if you are going to be late or absent. A trial cannot proceed unless all jurors are present. Failure to appear as scheduled may result in a bench warrant.