IL HB4002

Increases juror fees in Illinois counties: $4 to $25 per day (first class), $5 to $30 per day (second class), and $10 to $40 per day (third class) after a juror fund fee is imposed.

Establishes a County Juror Fund supported by court-collected fees from plaintiffs and defendants in civil actions, with exemptions for governmental entities, pro se litigants, small claims parties, veterans benefits cases, and domestic violence cases.

Prohibits employers from requiring employees to use annual, vacation, or sick leave for jury duty and provides employee protections against discharge or retaliation for jury service.

Creates automatic postponement rights for jurors: one postponement upon request (up to 6 months), with additional postponements available only for extreme emergencies, and permits courts to automatically postpone service for employees of businesses with 5 or fewer full-time employees.

Changes penalty for failure to attend jury duty from contempt to a Class C misdemeanor with imprisonment or fine up to $500, and requires State Mandates Act compliance without state reimbursement.