Pritzker signs bill requiring businesses to pay employees during jury duty

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A new Illinois law will require employers to pay people while they serve on jury duty.

The law requires businesses with more than 25 workers to pay their employees the regular pay rate during jury duty.

Sponsors said this is an attempt to address the financial disincentives that exist for potential jurors to serve. Federal courts pay jurors $50 per day, but county courts provide a minimal rate for civic duty.

"Many times, potential jurors show up and they do everything they can to avoid being selected for a jury," Sen. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) said. "That makes the system not work as intended. Again, I'll point out this is a cornerstone of our democracy."

The National Federation of Independent Businesses opposes this change, as small businesses believe the government should pay their employees for jury duty.

House Bill 4844 passed out of the Senate on a 35-20 vote with one senator voting present. The measure received a 69-34 vote in the House.

This law takes effect Jan. 1.