HB2203 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 04636 LNS 49645 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB2203

Introduced , by Rep. Norine K. Hammond

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

705 ILCS 305/4.2 new

Amends the Jury Act. Provides that a circuit court shall develop a policy for allowing prospective jurors who are older than a certain age to be permanently excused from jury duty. Provides that a circuit court, when determining the age at which a prospective juror may be excused based on age, shall consider the following: the age at which jury duty may become difficult for a significant number of jurors; and the jury pool available for that circuit court. Provides that a prospective juror meeting the age requirement may apply for the exemption based on a self-assessment of his or her physical limitations and mobility issues. Provides that the county board, jury administrator, or jury commissioner shall permanently exclude the prospective juror from all current and subsequent jury lists.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning courts.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Jury Act is amended by adding Section 4.2 as follows:

(705 ILCS 305/4.2 new)

Sec. 4.2. Exemption from jury duty based on age.

(a) Each circuit court shall develop a policy for allowing prospective jurors who are older than a certain age to be permanently excused from jury duty. The purpose of this policy is to provide clarity and reassurance to elderly citizens that they do not have to report to the court for jury duty if they so choose.

If a circuit court, at the time of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, has a policy for allowing prospective jurors older than the specified age to be excused, the circuit court does not have to develop a new policy.

(b) A circuit court shall, when deciding the age at which a prospective juror may be excused, consider the age at which jury duty may become difficult for a significant number of prospective jurors and the jury pool available to that circuit court. A prospective juror meeting the age requirement may apply for the exemption based on a self-assessment of his or her physical limitations or mobility issues. The county board, jury administrator, or jury commissioner shall permanently exclude the prospective juror from all current and subsequent jury lists upon the prospective juror returning the jury summons with proof of age.