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1. What is the role of the Jury Coordinator?

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.

2. Where is the Jury Coordinator located?

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.

3. Who can serve?

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

4. Where can I receive general information?

Rock Island County uses a telephone call-in system. A recorded telephone message provides jurors with general information about jury service. Call 309-786-0003 or 309-786-0039 the Friday after 4:30 pm preceding the jury week you are to serve for this information.

5. How did I get selected for jury duty?

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.

6. Do I still need to report?

Jurors are instructed to call a recorded message for instructions prior to reporting. This message is updated prior to the report date to assure that jurors do not report unnecessarily. This procedure has consistently resulted in savings to the county, as well as in eliminating unnecessary inconvenience for the juror.

Please call 309-786-0003 or 309-786-0039 the night before (after 5 pm) you are to report even if this is a Sunday or holiday. A recorded message will tell you whether you still need to report. The message will refer to a range of juror numbers, so please have your summons in hand when calling. Persons using a rotary telephone must call between 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.

Unless otherwise notified, please report to jury duty as directed by your printed summons. Please arrive on time.

7. How long will I be there?

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.

8. Is everyone required to serve?

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.

9. May I be excused for personal reasons?

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

10. Will I get paid?

You are entitled to $10 per day of service, plus mileage.

11. Where do I park?

Parking lots South of the Justice Center on 3rd Avenue.

12. What type of clothing is appropriate?

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.

13. What do I do if I need special accommodations?

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 within two (2) working days of your receipt of the jury summons.

Please call 309-786-0003 or 309-786-0039 after 5 pm, the night before you are to report, even if this is a Sunday or holiday. A recorded message will tell you whether you still need to report. The message will refer to your juror number, so please have your summons in hand when calling.

14. What is a petit jury?

A petit jury is a criminal or civil trial.

15. What is a grand jury?

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.

16. What is a coroner's jury?

A coroner's jury is a group comprised of six people who serve to assist in determining the manner of an individual's death such as via accident, suicide, natural causes, etc. The coroner's jury hears testimony at a coroner's inquest regarding the circumstances of a case(s) from which they make a determination of the manner of death. Those individuals selected for service on the coroner's jury serve a two-month period of time through which period they are called as needed depending upon the necessity of a coroner's inquest. For more information about a coroner's jury or inquest, please see the Rock Island County Coroner's page.