A Federal Grand Jury is investigatory or accusatory in contrast to a petit jury, which is a trial jury. If you have been randomly selected as a prospective grand juror for the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, you will be notified by mail when and where to report. Upon receipt of the summons, complete the information form and return it to the U. S. District Court within five days in the postage paid envelope provided.
 
A request for an excusal or postponement must be in writing and attached to your completed information form. If you were summoned, you may call the Automated Jury Information System (AJIS) to verify whether your request has been approved. To receive information regarding your status, call 1 (800) 572-4210 no earlier than ten business days prior to your scheduled reporting date. Please do not call the automated system if you have not returned your completed information sheet.
 
Letters from employers requesting that their employee be excused from Grand Jury Service will only be considered if accompanied by a letter from the prospective juror.
 
Requests for excusal or postponement will not be handled over the telephone.
 
A DOCTOR'S STATEMENT must be attached to your completed information form if you are requesting an excuse due to medical reasons. The statement must indicate whether the condition is temporary or permanent.
 
You CANNOT be transferred from the United States District Court, Chicago or Rockford to any county court.
 
If you ask for an excuse on impanelment day and are granted an excuse or postponement, you will not be paid mileage or attendance. If your request is denied, be prepared to participate and remain for the grand jury selection, which will end at approximately 1:00 P.M. In the Western Division, selection usually begins at 1:00 p.m. and ends at approximately 3:00 p.m
 
Selection Procedures
Approximately 65 grand jurors are expected to appear. The clerk will randomly select 23 members to be grand jurors. The remaining individuals will be selected as alternate grand jurors and will take the place of a member who must be permanently excused. In the Western Division, 23 members are randomly selected to be grand jurors with 10 individuals selected as alternates.
 
If you are selected as a Grand Juror or alternate, please expect to remain throughout most of the day. The selection process and following instruction will require your attendance.
 
Length Of Service
Grand Jury Service is for a period of eighteen months. If selected on a grand jury, you will appear once per week at the U. S. District Court. Advance notice will be available by telephone.
 
If selected to serve in the Western Division, you will appear once every two weeks.