Jury Commission Information

Information for Jurors

Supporters of Jurors Information

General Jury Duty Information

How Did I Get on the Jury List?

In the state of Illinois, jurors are selected at random from a pool of eligible citizens. This pool is compiled using multiple sources, including:

  • Voter registration records
  • Driver’s license and state ID records
  • Unemployment records
  • Disability records

This process helps ensure that the jury reflects a diverse cross-section of the community.

 

What is the Purpose of the Juror Questionnaire?

Juror questionnaires are an important part of the jury selection process. They serve several key purposes:

1. To Help Ensure a Fair and Impartial Jury

The questionnaire helps the court identify information that may prevent someone from serving fairly.

2. To Streamline Voir Dire (Jury Selection)

By reviewing the questionnaires in advance, the judge and attorneys can focus on important follow-up questions during voir dire, saving time and ensuring a more effective selection process.

3. To Confirm Juror Eligibility

The questionnaire may also be used to verify that a person is legally qualified to serve as a juror based on age, residency, citizenship, and other requirements under Illinois law.

4. To Respect Jurors’ Time

By identifying jurors who clearly cannot or should not serve (due to legal disqualification or hardship), the questionnaire helps avoid unnecessary trips to court.

Privacy Note:

The information you provide is treated with confidentiality and is used only to determine suitability for jury service.

 

What is Voir Dire?

After reporting for jury duty, you will be escorted to the courtroom by a Bailiff for a process called Voir Dire (a French term meaning “to speak the truth”).

During Voir Dire:

  • The judge and attorneys ask questions to determine whether you can be fair, impartial, and open-minded.
  • They may ask about your background, experiences, and opinions that could affect your ability to judge the case fairly.

Sometimes jurors are excused or challenged by either the judge or attorneys.

  • This is not a reflection on your integrity or character.
  • It simply means that, for this particular case, you may not be the best fit.

 

“I Don’t Know the Law” — And That’s Okay

As a juror, you are not expected to know the law ahead of time. That is not your job.

Your role is to:

  • Listen carefully to all the evidence presented in court.
  • Keep an open mind and avoid making quick decisions.
  • Wait until the attorneys finish presenting their cases before forming opinions.
  • Work with your fellow jurors to decide what the facts are based only on what you saw and heard in the courtroom.

Once all the evidence has been presented, the judge will explain the law that applies to the case.
Your job is then to apply that law to the facts you and the other jurors have determined.

You don’t need to be a legal expert—just a fair, attentive, and thoughtful listener.