Jury Duty FAQs

1.    WATER BOTTLES CAN BE BROUGHT IN, NO OTHER FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED

2.    CELL PHONES ARE ALLOWED, BUT NEED TO BE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF WHEN IN THE COURTROOM.

3.    HATS MAY NOT BE WORN IN THE COURTROOM.

The Jury Coordinator is responsible for the assemblage of juries for the circuit courts. This responsibility includes:

• the summoning and tracking of jurors
• acting as a liaison between the court and prospective jurors in an effort to avoid the imposition of any undue hardships on the jurors, but at the same time ensuring that jurors are available to serve as needed by the court
• maintaining juror records
• processing juror payrolls

For orientation, the Jury Coordinator will offer a brief presentation answering any questions prospective jurors may have prior to the commencement of their service.

The Jury Coordinator is located in Rock Island County courthouse, 1317 3rd Avenue., Rock Island, IL on the third floor in Room 304. The Coordinator may be reached by phone at 309-558-3260.

For the convenience of the public, summons are mailed approximately five (5) weeks prior to the reporting date. This allows ample time to make necessary arrangements for babysitters, doctor's appointments, work schedules, transportation, etc.

The basic requirements to be qualified as a juror are as follows:

• At least 18 years of age
• Citizen of the United States
• Legal resident of Illinois and Rock Island County
• Not under prosecution for any crime
• Possess a valid Illinois Driver's License, Illinois identification card, or Voter's Registration Card
• Have been convicted of a felony and have had your civil rights restored

A recorded message will provide jurors with general information about jury service. Call 309-204-9090, the Sunday before your service date, for your service information. You are on call for a period of 1 WEEK ONLY.

Potential jurors' names are randomly selected from a list derived by the Illinois Secretary of State from a combination of Driver's License, Voter Registration and Identification card records.

Jurors are instructed to call a recorded message for instructions prior to reporting. Jurors should call 309-204-9090 the Sunday prior to the report date to assure that they do not report unnecessarily.

Please call 309-204-9090 the Sunday before you are to report, even if this is a holiday and each day after for a period of 1 week, only. The message will tell you whether you have been selected and need to report. 

Your term of service may be as short as half a day or up to a week or more depending on the type of case being heard. A person who was summoned and who reported as a prospective juror is exempt from jury service for one year from the last day of service.

Yes.

Mandatory - Disqualification

• Convicted felon, civil rights not restored
• Under prosecution for any crime
• No longer residing in Rock Island County
• Not a U. S. citizen
• Must be able to read and understand English

It is not necessary to contact our office to see if you have been excused.

Extraordinary requests for excusal or postponement will be submitted to the judge for individual review at the time of trial.

You are entitled to $10 per day of service, plus mileage. A check will be mailed out during the 1st part of the month following your service. 

Parking lots south of the Justice Center on 3rd Avenue are available for parking. DO NOT park on the street, in the 4-hour parking. 

Business attire is appropriate. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Courtrooms are air-conditioned. For your comfort, you may wish to bring a sweater or a light jacket.

If you are a person with a disability requiring any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Jury Coordinator, 309-558-3260, within two (2) working days of your receipt of the jury summons. 

Please call 309-204-9090 after 5 pm, the night before you are to report, even if this is a holiday. A recorded message will tell you whether you still need to report. 

A petit jury is a criminal or civil trial.

A grand jury has broad powers to investigate a wide range of criminal offenses and to examine the performance of public officials and public institutions.  Its deliberations are conducted in secret, in conjunction with the State Attorney or a designated Assistant State's Attorney.  The grand jury consists of members who serve a two-month term of duty with the court.  If there is sufficient evidence, person(s) indicted and charged with a crime will appear before a judge.

Grand jurors' names are selected from the same source list as petit jurors. They are paid on the same basis as trial jurors.