Illinois Employers: New Paid Leave for Jury Duty Coming in 2027

What are The Jury Act and Jury Commission Act?

Under The Jury Act and Jury Commission Act, Illinois jurors have certain employee rights. When employees are summoned for jury duty, employers are required to allow time off to serve on a jury. Employers cannot deny employees time off for jury duty because their shift is a night shift. Employers are also prohibited from discharging, threatening, intimidating, or coercing employees because of jury service or related absences. 

Of note, employees must also provide reasonable notice to employers of their jury service. Employees meet the reasonable notice requirement by giving their employer a copy of the jury summons within 10 days after it is issued. 

New Paid Leave Requirements for Jury Duty in Illinois

With the passage of HB 4844, certain employers now have new paid leave obligations related to jury service. Effective Jan. 1, 2027, employers with more than 25 employees are required to provide paid leave to employees for time serving on jury duty. This paid leave must be compensated at the employee’s regular rate of pay.  

Next Steps for Illinois Employers

With paid leave for jury duty coming to Illinois at the start of the new year, employers should confirm coverage, update their leave policies, revise handbooks, and adjust payroll, if necessary. The paid leave for jury duty may also impact labor law posters, specifically the Your Rights Under Illinois Employment Laws posting, as it contains current state-level paid leave requirements. This poster is being monitored for customers who are part of the GovDocs Standard Update Program.