Paid Jury Duty Leave Takes Effect in Illinois on January 1

Effective January 1, 2027, Illinois employers with more than 25 employees must pay employees for their jury duty leave.

On July 31, 2026, Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 4844 into law, which amends the Jury Act and the Jury Commission Act (collectively, the “Acts”). Under the amended Acts, employers with more than 25 employees must compensate their employees at their regular rate of pay for time spent serving on jury duty.

The Acts otherwise remain unchanged. For example, employees will still be required to provide their jury duty summons to their employers within 10 days of the date of issuance, and employers will be required to provide the time off needed for the leave, and may not retaliate against employees because of their jury service.

In preparation for the January 1st effective date of the amendments, covered employers should update employee handbook policies regarding jury duty leave; ensure that managers, human resource professionals, and payroll professionals are trained regarding the new paid leave requirement; and continue complying with existing jury service protections and obligations.

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Hall, Ariel Kelly, or any Vedder attorney with whom you have worked.