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New law lets Illinois jurors turn down pay

Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn.
(via Flickr/ChrisEaves.com)
Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn.

People who serve on juries in Illinois are now required to accept small payments for their time, but that's about to change.
 
Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Friday that gives jurors the option of refusing the money if they don't need it. The law takes effect in January.
 
Current law requires counties to pay jurors from $4 a day to $17.20. They can also get money for mileage and child care.
 
But the lawmaker behind the change, Democratic State Sen. Susan Garrett, says some people don't want to take the money, especially when local governments are struggling.