Illinois just passed a law that will require employers with more than 25 employees to pay employees their regular wages while they’re out serving on a jury. This new law takes effect on January 1, 2027, giving you a few months to update handbooks, payroll practices, and manager training before the obligation kicks in. This Insight will provide you with a five-step plan to get ready.

What the Law Does

House Bill 4844, now Public Act 104-0683, amends both the Illinois Jury Act and the Jury Commission Act, to require covered employers to compensate employees at their regular rate of pay for time spent serving on jury duty starting on January 1, 2027.

The Small Employer Exemption

The pay requirement only applies to employers with more than 25 employees. Employers at or below that 25-employee threshold can continue treating jury duty as unpaid time off, subject to the other protections in the jury duty statutes.

Refresher on What Doesn’t Change

The remaining requirements of the jury duty statutes stay intact.

• Employers still cannot discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce an employee because of jury service.
• Employees must still provide reasonable notice of their impending service, delivering a copy of the summons to their employer within 10 days of when it’s issued.
• Employees returning from jury service are still entitled to reinstatement without loss of seniority.
• Violations can trigger a contempt petition from the State’s Attorney.
• Employees also have their...

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