Hoffman Measure Updates Juror Compensation Law, Removes Economic Barriers to Participation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Residents asked to serve on a jury will continue to be compensated by their employer at their normal rate under a new law spearheaded by state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea.

“Jury duty shouldn’t create economic barriers that prevent people from participating,” Hoffman said. “In some places, it was costing jurors more to park their car than what they were being paid for their service. We want our juries to be representative of all demographic and economic backgrounds, and this measure better enables us to allow everyone to participate.”

Under Hoffman’s House Bill 4844, employees that serve on jury duty will continue to be compensated by their employer at their normal rate. The measure applies to businesses of 26 or more workers, and updates existing practice under which employers were not obligated to compensate employees for time taken off for jury duty.

Hoffman’s plan builds on current protections. Residents summoned to serve on a jury must be given time off from employment to attend, and employers cannot discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate or coerce employees from attending their service.

“Right now, there’s a patchwork of ways in which jurisdictions compensate jurors, and the amount of compensation is inadequate,” Hoffman said. “This law reaffirms the importance of jury service, and addresses real concerns facing individuals as they look to perform their civic duty.”

House Bill 4844 will be effective Jan. 1, 2027.

For more information, please contact RepJayHoffman@gmail.com.