Illinois bill would force employers to pay employees regular wages for jury duty

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate is considering legislation that would force employers to pay employees regular wages while they serve on a jury.

State Sen. Robert Martwick, D-Chicago, said House Bill 4844 is an attempt to address the financial disincentives to serve as a juror.

“The ridiculously low rates that we pay jurors for a day of service can really be a burden,” Martwick said.

Federal courts pay jurors $50 a day in Illinois, but county court rates vary.

HB 4844 requires employers with more than 25 workers to compensate employees at their regular rate of pay for time served on a jury.

National Federation of Independent Business Illinois State Director Noah Finley said jury duty is a public service that should be paid for by the government.

“Small businesses already pay their taxes, and this bill would impose a secondary, indirect assessment on top of what they already pay,” Finley said.

Finley said the legislation includes no limit for the number of days an employer would have to pay.

Keith Hebeisen spoke on behalf of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and argued in favor of the legislation.

“Yes, there is perhaps a burden on the employer, but who’s in the better position to bear that burden? Is it the juror, or is it the employer?” Hebeisen said.

State Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, agreed that jurors are underpaid and suggested the state could set up a fund to pay them.

“It seems that we are asking employers to fund our judicial system,” Tracy said.

The Senate Executive Committee advanced Martwick’s bill by a vote of 9 to 4. The measure now goes to the Senate floor.