> How can I reach the Jury Clerk? 

• Call the Jury Commission Office at 217-732-4414 or email (link: clanders@logancountyil.gov) the office. The jury commission clerk is a part-time position and is not open full business hours. The clerk will return your call or email as soon as possible.

> How can I be reached in the event of an emergency when I am serving jury duty?

• Call the Circuit Clerk Office at 217-735-2376 and inform them there is an emergency message for a juror currently at the courthouse. The message will be passed to the bailiff, who will relay the message to the juror. If you need to send a message to home, work, childcare, etc., the Bailiff will help you.

> What if I have an emergency on the day of my jury service or I am sick?

• We count on a set number of jurors reporting each day. This means if you are asked to report, it is important you make every effort to do so. If you are ill or have an unavoidable emergency, please call Jury Commission as soon as possible at 217-732-4414. Please leave a message on voicemail, as jury mornings are very busy for the clerk.

> How long will I be at the Courthouse?

• Trials are usually held between the hours of 9am and 5pm, unless the Judge informs you otherwise. Court dockets are dynamic and it is not possible to predict how long jury selection will take or how long trials will take to conclude. You may arrive to be informed the case(s) has/have settled and no jurors are needed, or you may go through jury selection and not be selected, or you may be selected to serve on a jury and need to serve one or more full days. Since there is no typical time served, it is best to plan to be in attendance from 9 to 5 every day of your assigned jury duty.

> Do I get to keep my cell phone during jury duty?

• Jurors are allowed to bring their cell phones into the courthouse, but they must remain in the Jury Room when jurors proceed to the courtroom.

> What do I wear to jury duty?

• We want you to be comfortable during your jury service, while also representing the importance of your task. Please dress appropriately in casual (jeans and tees) or business (suits, skirts, dresses, etc.) attire. Please avoid shorts, cut-offs, tanks/halters, and attire with profane or inappropriate print. but please note proper attire: slacks/jeans/blouses, shirts/tee shirts with appropriate wording/suits/dresses/shoes.

> Where do I park when I arrive for jury duty?

• Please park in city lots as indicated on this map (link to map). Please do not park in restricted or reserved spaces unless you have a permit to do so. IF YOU PARK SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN CITY LOTS AND RECEIVE A PARKING TICKET, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE TICKET.

> Are jurors given breaks? Are there lunch facilities available or will we be expected to bring our lunch?

• The Judge will ensure jurors receive adequate breaks. There are several restaurants within walking distance of the Courthouse or you may choose to bring your lunch. At this time, there are no refrigerators or microwaves available to jurors. There will be coffee and light snacks in the jury room.

> What if my employer wants proof that I was serving on jury duty?

• There will be a Certificate of Attendance available from the Jury Clerk or Bailiff at your request. It is your responsibility to know if your employer requires dates only or dates and times. Know that federal law prohibits employers from firing or disciplining employees because of their service as jurors.

> What should I bring with me when I report for jury duty?

• Please know your Juror Call Number. This is separate from the number you used to complete your online questionnaire. This is a number between 1 and 160. Since the temperature can vary in the courtrooms, you may want to dress in layers and/or bring a sweater or light jacket with you. Also, please be prepared to show photo identification when entering the courthouse.

> How do I notify the Court if jury service will result in undue hardship or extreme inconvenience?

• Potential jurors should request to be excused only in circumstances which are unavoidable. If possible, jurors are encouraged to contact the Jury Commission to request a deferral of service to a later date. All requests to be excused must be received no later than the deadline listed on your summons. This deadline allows time for the judge to review and approve or deny your request. Requests must include all necessary documentation listed below:
• Reason for request to be excused.
• All medical excuses require a signed doctor’s statement.
• All primary caregivers of disabled persons must include a letter from the medical doctor overseeing care of the disabled person.
• All travel in conflict with jury dates must include itineraries with juror’s name, date of travel, and must be notarized by a notary public. For an easier option, please contact the Jury Commission to request a deferral for jury service at a later date.
• All other reasons require appropriate documentation (e.g. letter of explanation, etc.) and must be notarized by a notary public.

Invalid reasons to request to be excused:

• You work in a law enforcement capacity. Jurors are sometimes needed in civil trials and your service could be very valuable.
• A prior felony conviction does not legally exempt a citizen from jury duty.
• All requests received after this date will be denied and you will be expected to report for jury service.

> When will I know if my excuse request was granted?

• You will not receive a response to your request until the Friday prior to your date-of-service. This allows the judge to weigh the number of cases on the docket and the number of jurors responding while making decisions to grant or deny excuse.

> What if I no longer live in Logan County?

• If you are no longer a citizen of Logan County, please submit a copy of your ID from your new state or, if you live elsewhere in Illinois, a piece of mail with your name and new address, such as a rent agreement, property tax document, utility bill, etc. Your name will be removed from the jury database upon receipt of this documentation.

> How was I selected for jury duty?

• Along with the rights we enjoy at citizens, we have responsibilities to fulfill. The right to a jury by a trial of our peers is a crucial part of our justice system. Juror names are pulled from voter registration logs and the Secretary of State lists for drivers’ licenses and IDs. For each jury, a set number of random names is pulled from the juror database using court management software.

> What will I be paid for jury service?

• Your rate of pay is $10 per day regardless of whether you serve one hour or all day. Mileage is reimbursed at $0.10 (ten cents) per mile. You can expect to receive your check within a few weeks after your jury service ends.

> What happens if I don't report for jury duty?

• Any juror who fails to report for jury duty may be served an Order to Show Cause. The Court may then hold a hearing on the Order to Show Cause. Jurors who fail to show adequate cause for their absence from jury duty may be fined not more than $1,000, imprisoned not more than three days, ordered to perform community service, or any combination thereof. Jury Selection and Service Act (28 U.S.C. 1866(g)).

> Will I serve on civil or criminal trials?

• Both civil and criminal cases are held at the Logan County Courthouse. There is no way to know what type of case a juror might be assigned to until the day they report for service.

> After a trial is over, am I finished or am I still on call?

• This will depend on the needs of the Court and the number of cases tried during your term of service. The Court makes every effort to fully utilize each pool and will call those who served on a trial only when no other pool members are available. You must continue calling as directed until the end of your service term.