Cook County Circuit Court

Interesting place… really a great experience to learn about our justice system. The Cook County sheriff people were very nice to all the prospective jurors. The courtroom over in the old building was a piece of architecture. Was called to be a juror… was interviewed for a seat. Neat experience everyone should do once.

Got selected to go to Jury this past Friday. The summons requested for me to be there at 9 am. I got there at 8:45 am and was the 3^rd person checked in.
By 9−10am, people started rolling in and at 10am they provided a 5 mins video and what’s expected of you during the process. You sit around in this large room with chairs/tables/tv’s and now they have WIFI so bring a tablet if you like. Only problem is that the WIFI cuts out every hour so you have to re-​login.
By 12−1pm, it’s lunch time and you can either eat the lunch you brought or eat at the Popeye’s/cafeteria downstairs. Based on the people that were with me, neither option was good, so bring a snack or lunch from home.
By 3pm, we were told no one was going to be selected for the day as all the courts settled and didn’t need a jury.
Got paid $ 25 and was on my way home.

I got called up for the dreaded JURY DUTY.
Sure I whine and moaned about it… even trying to devise things to say that would make the judge want to say, «Nah», to picking me. But alas, when it came down to it, I couldn’t think of anything clever to make up, and well I got picked as a juror for a two-​day trial.
The entire process wasn’t too bad actually. The vast majority of people I came across that worked there were extremely nice and helpful. I honestly wasn’t expecting that.
First thing you should know… they have a free parking lot for jurors across the street, so you don’t have to worry about street parking and paying meters around that shady area.
Second thing you should know, please bring something to read or to entertain you for at least 6 hours. That’s no joke. You know what else is no joke? They don’t have Wi-​Fi. But apparently this location is the only circuit court that allows people to use their phones while they wait in the assembly area.
Check-​in was relatively quick and there they give you a Panel Number. After about 2.5 hours of just waiting in the assembly room, they called out the first 2 panel numbers. My number was called up. After assembling the groups, they took us to the first floor lobby where the Deputy for the judge was giving us instructions on where we were all going and basically what to expect. She took us to Criminal courts area where we waited for about 25 minutes in the hallway. Then they they called us in to the court room.
There were about 50 of us and the Judge introduced herself and the both sets of attorneys and the defendant. The judge then went on for an hour (yes, an hour) spiel about the importance of serving as a juror, etc. She then let us go for an hour lunch.
I wasn’t in the mood for Popeyes (across the street), nor was I in the mood for tacos (El Milagro is down the block) so I stuck around the cafeteria.
I thought high school cafeteria food was bad… oh man. Another recommendation… BRING YOUR LUNCH. You’ll be glad you did.
After lunch we met at the court room again and from there, they «randomly» pick about 35 people for a jury pool. The other 15 people sat at the side. They asked 35 of us to verify the answers we chose on the Summons form and then they asked us what we do on our free time. If they needed clarification on something, they’d call jurors to the back room to speak to them privately.
This was seriously the longest process ever. By the time all was said and done, it was 4:50pm. They made their selection of 14 jurors (2 alternates) and they took us to the jurors room where they gave us instructions for the next couple of days.
Luckily my group of jurors were pretty cool peeps. They treated us nicely. They fed us breakfast (donuts, coffee, juice). It’s best you eat breakfast at home :) And being the cheap-​ass and lazy-​ass I am, I didn’t want to pay for lunch so I ate whatever they served us. Granted it’s not the worst food ever, but it’s not good. Haha!
Once the trial was over, we ended up deliberating for almost 5 hours! We were so glad once it was all over.
I will say, I thought it was cool that the judge came back to talk to us to answer any questions we had and to explain things a little more indepth. She was very nice. She gave us a certificate at the end.
All in all, while it wasn’t a bad experience, it’s definitely something I wouldn’t want to do again. It’s a lot of sitting around waiting. Days are just so long. But, like I said, the people were all nice. The deputy was awesome, the judge was cool.
By the way, the day you come in for your summons, you get paid $ 25. If you get picked as a juror, you get paid $ 50 for each day of the trial.

I was summoned to appear for Jury duty on Monday ¼ and was not looking forward to it. I had injured my back over the weekend which made it worse. If you do get called as others mentioned allow ample time to get there and park since it is in a fairly remote part of the city. I got there at about 8:45 and found a spot in the garage quickly. I ended up parking on the 4^th floor and walking down stairs since the elevator was not working so was annoyed before I even walked into the courthouse.
Check in and security were fairly painless, just listen to instructions and make sure you are n the right line; they seemed to have one for men and another for women. As others mentioned bring plenty of change for the vending machines.
The reason for the 5 stars is mainly due to the people I interacted with. The people working at the courthouse were quite nice and friendly. I was with a group that had to take a bus to a courthouse on Harrison and the deputy (don, t recall his name) that drove us there was awesome and the judge and staff at the Harrison facility were also quite nice. I ended up being sworn in but was not selected as a juror so was driven back to S California in a bus by the deputy.
Overall I was done by 2 or so and the people I interacted with at the S. California and Harrison locations were great! We should all be thankful to have government employees that are as professional and helpful as the ones I encountered!

Actually not that bad. Employees were nice, even the security guards was nice. Just bring your own food and bring a book, tablet, or laptop to entertain yourself or you will be insanely bored. Do NOT wear a belt, they will tell you to put it in a locker. I feel bad for the guys who brought nothing and just stared at the walls lol even a few magazines would work. You will be here for at least 5 hours sitting in cushy theatre style chairs. Worth the $ 25 they give you before dismissal as long as you bring stuff you’re allowed to bring lol.

I spent six hours here today for jury duty, though I was not called actually to be on a jury. The Unilocal reviews I read were a good preparation. I wanted to arrive at the parking structure at 8:00 AM but was an hour later; at 9:00 there were still plenty of spots on the third level and higher. Arriving at least thirty minutes before the summons time makes everything relatively stressless. Every effort was made to look after our comfort: jurors are allowed phones and other electronic devices though there is a general ban. It is very crowded standing in line to go through the metal detectors, but everyone seems relatively patient and pleasant. I came prepared with two bags, a purse, an umbrella, and a glass water bottle, and I did not have any trouble. Most people dressed nicely, but comfort is still key. I brought my own food to save money, but the Latina woman answering questions said that there was a very good and fast Mexican restaurant, El Milagro, at 26^th and Albany, within walking distance. Most people sat in the rows of theater-​type seats, but there were also lots of smooth and clean wooden tables with cushioned chairs, seating four. I had enough room to write my Christmas cards and then read. They do read and collect your answers to the questionnaire on the back of the summons. A gold-​colored summons means you are in the pool for a grand jury, which takes up to 16 days of service but pays $ 50/​day, as opposed to the regular jury duty amount of $ 25. It sounded interesting, and the state’s attorney said members of the grand jury could schedule days off of the 16, for prior engagements, vacation, or work obligations. I stayed in the waiting room the whole time and was comfortable. Everyone was extremely professional.

Avoid this place by obeying the police and following the law. Simple solution to being locked up in here.

I never thought I’d see the day that I would be writing a Unilocal review of a courthouse. This edifice on a sketchy stretch of California Ave. is an example of your tax dollars at work. I was summoned here for jury duty yesterday. Having not been called before, nor having had any prior experience in the criminal courts (phew!) I had no idea what to expect, other than the instructions on the summons directing me to bring change for the vending machines, not wear shorts, and to make sure I was well stocked with reading material.
Of course it was a rainy Monday morning. The service was scheduled to begin at 9 am. It was almost 10:30 before things actually got underway, by which I mean numbers being issued and the screening of a video on Jury Service 101. I got here early and had to pass through a looong security line, along with my fellow citizens, before I even got to the room for prospective jurors. The security screening itself was not bad. I was expecting something along the lines of airport security; therefore I was wary of bringing my own bottle of water. I wish I had, as the waters were $ 1.40 a pop from the vending machines– no complimentary water is provided, unless you count the two water fountains. Fortunately my snacks saved me from the tyranny that is the cafeteria food.
Once I got my number, I proceeded to wait. I did make a dent in my book and polished off the Red Eye’s crossword. By the time lunch rolled around at 12:15 I still hadn’t been picked. We had until 1:30 for lunch, an opportunity I took to stretch my legs seeing as how I was basically confined to movie-​theater like seating all day, necessitating that someone either climb over me or that I climb over others in my row to get in and out.
Sure enough, after lunch, my panel number was called and I packed up my belongings to head to the courtroom. It was beginning to look like a close call, as I was selected to sit in the jury box and then asked a battery of questions, even including hobbies and favorite television show. Really! I knew the judge didn’t want to shoot the breeze, so I said Law and Order, hoping that would put the kibosh on my service. After another lengthy deliberation over the selection of jurors, I was at last released. I heaved a huge sigh of relief, as this trial was scheduled to last three days, and rushed out of the courtroom to collect my whopping $ 17.20 for the day. I will say that the judge was very disorganized with her papers. I couldn’t see what the court clerk was doing, as the proceedings could have flowed much more smoothly had the judge had easy access to her documents.
This was truly a wake up call to see the cogs of our judicial system at work. If there is this much voire dire involved in such a piss ant case, I quail to think of how much time and money are being thrown at the major criminal trials. It is enough to make me want to stop paying my state taxes. Then again, that is not such a good idea, as I am sure that will lead me back into the criminal courts, in a continuation of this Kafka-​esque cycle.

So I heard that the cafeteria food from here is bad. I personally did not try it and I’m glad I didn’t since the lady that went to the cafeteria there ended up throwing it away. I went to the Popeyes down the street.
Aside from being yelled at by one of the officers at the entrance and being patted down aggressively because I was not paying attention (it was just too early for me) the visit was okay. I had trouble finding the jury waiting room. But once I asked the officer at the front desk guided me to where I needed to go.
Once you get to the room make sure you filled out the sheet they m (ail you to make things easier) you just go through the check in line. It takes less than 5 mins to check in.
At check in you will receive a panel number.
Then you wait. They make you watch this video about what your civic duty is and all that jazz. This is the only circuit court that will allow you to bring cell phones and be able to use them while you wait to be called. So don’t be a butthead and ruin it for everyone else by not following their cell phone rules. If your panel does not get called by 12 they let you go to lunch at that time then you have to be back by 1:30pm. Again I heard that you should avoid the cafeteria at all cost.
You can bring in your own snacks and drinks to your waiting room and lunch. Just bring your own stuff especially if you are watching your calorie intake there’s no healthy food options any where near this area. Neighborhood seems sketchy so be careful and just sit there and wait to be called.

Went yesterday to server for Jury duty. Not as bad as I thought it would be. People were really friendly. My jury section was cancelled on our way to the court house so that was really nice. When I went to leave I couldn’t find my car. I saw a police officer on a bike that helped me find my car. The police office was very nice. I wish I got her name but I didn’t. If she was not there it would of taken me a lot longer.

Somehow I managed to go 20+ years without ever getting a jury summons. Then I got one in April 2012, hauled it to the Daley Center, was picked for the jury. It wound up being pretty entertaining, but I was happy knowing I would not see a summons for at least one year. Six months back in the pool, I got another summons… and had to go to the dreaded criminal courthouse at 26^th and California. I braced myself and headed to skid row.
Yes, it’s a rather scary area… but there are enough ok people around to feel pretty safe. Armed with a dandy supply of snacks and reading material, I found my way to the decent waiting room. Surely, I’d be here all day.
They show a video about what to expect if selected. It has Lester Holt in it, and he doesn’t even look like that anymore. He really tried to make being picked for a jury sound like a special and privileged thing. I looked around me — the words «special» and «privileged» did not come to mind. Then a dude came out and explained when our lunch break would be, and named a few restaurants in the area we could check out. As if I was leaving the building.
I went over to the vending machines to get something to wash down Snacks Phase One. The pop machine had Mr. Pibb — yay! I like Mr. Pibb. So I put in my buck, and a Dr. Pepper came out. Um… I WANTED Mr. Pibb. Dr. Pepper is *not* Mr. Pibb. They lied to me. I took one star off for this, if you must know.
So I’m trying to hear The Price Is Right, and my number got called. Come on, really? I joined my fellow panel members and marched to a courtroom. The judge introduced himself, as did the attorneys for both sides and the defendant. The judge explained the case briefly and sent us all to lunch. Most of us just went to the cafeteria in the building… I was still kinda full from my Pop Tarts and Dr. Pepper (grrr…), and I was totally afraid of anything else, so I just got a fruit bowl and some pudding. Both were actually fresh and good. And I liked the vanilla wafers on top of the pudding. Classy.
I decided I should use the restroom before things got underway… there was a bathroom at the end of the hallway on the courtroom floor. It’s one of those bathrooms-​for-​one, and someone was using it so I had to wait in the hall. I had a nice view of the jail across the street. Then, I saw an orange jumpsuit-​clad dude walking back from the men’s room with an escort, and a urine sample. Good times.
Back in the courtroom… jury selection begins. It seemed to take forever. We got a quick break, and I headed over to the bathroom again. Saw a guy sorting out a plethora of urine samples on the windowsill. Awesome.
So yours truly got picked again for the jury. Despite stating that my boss is a former Chicago police officer that has a law degree and that he tells me cop stories. Despite admitting that I watch «The Bachelor» (the judge asked us what we watch on TV)…you’d think after saying I actually watch that show, I would have been taken straight to lock-​up. That would have sucked, but hey… I got out of jury duty. I think the least they could do for those chosen is give us roses, like on «The Bachelor»…a nice touch, no? The judge was rather attractive, I’d accept a rose from him. I took the star I took off for the Mr. Pibb disaster and added it right back on. At least I had something to look at.
We were released and instructed to come back the following day for the trial. Judge Eye Candy highly suggested we bring our own food, because what we’d be served is very hit or miss. I still had a whole arsenal of snacks, so I thought I’d just take my chances… if worse comes to worse, more Pop Tarts. Breakfast was coffee, juice, and donuts wrapped in cellophane. Lunch was mixed veggies, mashed potatoes, and meatloaf that I think could have been made out of police dogs that had to be put down. Because Team Jury could not reach a decision quickly (largely because some people don’t know how to let someone finish a sentence, not take a different opinion personally, or not yell — we were told to keep it down more than once…), we also got dinner, which was cold sandwiches, potato chips, and a cookie. While the meatloaf was really the only iffy thing, it still tasted better than it looked, and everything else was ok. Not great, but I didn’t need my Pop Tarts. My main complaint about the food ordeal was that no one came to take away the lunch trays, so we were deliberating with that 4 hour old leftover dogloaf in its coagulated gravy sitting there. I could have lived without that.
The trial ended, and the judge came to the jury room to give us certificates to commemorate our fine service. I asked him if he wanted some meatloaf. He declined. Security guards walked us to the parking garage, and so ends Jury Duty II. A decent experience… if I had to go to 26^th/​Cal again, I wouldn’t hate it… but I’d bring my own Mr. Pibb, thank you very much.
Stay tuned for Jury Duty III. Figure sometime in 2015. I’m on a roll.

This was my second time as a potential juror at the S California Ave Criminal Court. I’ve been called to jury duty for other Cook County courts, and as courts go, this is ok, except for the food choices at lunchtime. At Daley Plaza, you have more options. This location is a bit confusing. One of the access roads was closed when I went. If if I hadn’t known to look for a multi-​story parking garage, I might not have found the free parking. The garage, is not exactly across the street from the court, but rather beyond a grassy divider between two streets… there is also an open lot to the right of the parking garage, part of the free parking. When I asked where I should park, the guard, upon my showing him my Jury Summons, said.“Anywhere you want.” He must answer that question a zillion times a day. I decided to arrive early, and it was a good idea, especially when you are not familiar with the location/​routine. Later on, masses of people were all trying to get into the lot and building. When you get in the building, there will be a line… on my day, when there was an option where to walk, the women went to the right, and the men to the left. As a juror, you can bring in a cell phone. (NO wi-​fi). I brought my lunch, so I had a can of soda, which I worried I could not bring in… but that was fine. You will put your stuff on a conveyor belt, just as at the airport. You will walk through a metal detector, too. Then, as a juror, you will head to the bank of elevators to the left of where you enter, and head to the 3^rd floor.
Once there, you will check in at a table in the hall, and then again check in once you are in the waiting area. This is where you get your ‘panel’ number. Then you wait. You may or may not be called. If you are called, you will be taken to the courtroom. Once there, names will be called. Those called will be questioned by the judge to see if the two lawyers accept them as jurors. If not, the judge will dismiss those not chosen and ask for more potential jurors… until 12 jurors and 2 alternates are chosen. Along the way, for your service, you will receive a check for $ 17.20.
The judge in the court I went to was professional, smart and efficient. She also had a sense of humor. AND, after the jurors were selected she took the time to thank all of us for coming. She said she knew that when the summons arrives, we all groan. However, she said we are needed, so our time was appreciated. When I saw how many citizens showed up that day to insure that the people on trial are afforded a jury, it truly is something to be appreciated. It was nice to be thanked.

How can you rate a courthouse??! I must admit, the process is long and long. BUT! They have a good system down though! You arrive early! Parking lot across is free but it fills up fast! My time was 9am and I arrived at 8ish. Lot was getting full even by then. There is a food truck aka ‘roach coach’ parked in front. I brought my own mug and the coffee was $ 1. Really good too! I gave $ 2. Line up inside for security by Male/​Female. There is Popeyes or cafeteria on 2^nd floor as well. Tho I brought food. The waiting area is big and TVs there. No wifi. But cell/​electronics allowed. Being books newspapers whatever! Clean restrooms. Then wait! So far, easy but I hear food not so good. It’s your duty! You’ll get paid after $ 17.50. I’ve still not been called and who knows if I will. Be prepared.

I just spent three days at this location. Ariel L’s review is dead on with his review.
I am so glad that I had my tablet with me since there is a lot of down time between witnesses and the long lunches.

After spending three days here on jury duty, here is what you potential jurors should know.
Food:
1) Bring all your own food. They have vending machines, a snack shop and a cafeteria on site. If you don’t mind vending machine junk food, or prison quality cafeteria food, you should be fine. If your tastes are somewhat better than that, pack a bag on meals and snacks.
2) You can go out, but there is only one place in the immediate area, a Popeye’s chicken across the street. The rest of this neighborhood is sketchy, so don’t stray far.
3) If you get called for jury duty they will feed you. Breakfast consists of donuts, coffee and juice. Lunch one of my days was Salisbury steak, grilled potatoes and boiled cabbage. Dinner was a chicken salad sandwich with a cookie. I’M TELLING YOU, YOU DON’T WANT TO HAVE TO EAT THIS.
Location:
1) This neighborhood is shady as all hell. There is a prison down the street. There are thugs all over the place. But there are also cops and sheriffs all over the place. You will have to go through a metal detector to get into the building.
Parking:
1) If you are a juror they have a large parking lot and parking garage across the street. It is staffed by a police office at the gate. Bring your summons in case they want to see it, but they never asked for mine.
Potential Juror Waiting Room:
1) This is the nicest part of the building. Its a large room with three sections, clean bathrooms, and lots of light. They also have tables if you want to bring your laptop and work.
2) There is no WI-​FI
3) Be prepared to sit for hours waiting to be called. It can happen.
4) Bring small bills and change for the vending machines. They have a change machine but it was out of order when i was there.
5) They have a coffee machine that spits out tar. It is not drinkable.
If you are chosen as a juror:
1) you will get paid $ 17.20 a day.
2) You will be stuck in the court room or in a private court jury room all day.
3) The jury room is small, tight, and nothing like what you see on TV.
4) Watch out for cockroaches.
5) Hope it’s a open and shut case and cross your fingers the deliberation is quick.
Now go do your civic duty and don’t complain about it.

The sight of this building is like looking at a cash cow. For others it is like getting smacked with a hot wheels track. This is the gutter of Cook County criminals facing trial. Everyone should pass through here on a sight seeing adventure!

If you’re a law abiding citizen and registered voter, at some point you will be called upon to do jury duty. And you will go and serve because it is your duty as a citizen in support of democracy and rule of law. If you slide out of it, then you’re a self-​important ass hat, suck on society and should stop reading, because you won’t be going anyway.
Ok, so this court is significantly scarier than any other I’ve been to because it’s connected to the cook county jail. And it’s the criminal courts building, and god know what elements of thuggery you’ll be rubbing your tender shoulders with. But it’s safe, so get over it wimp.
But here are the Pros:
1. Free parking in the multi-​level garage across the street. Just show your jury summons to the gate keep, and they will let you in. Arrive at least 45 minutes early, because the line of cars in the AM is long.
2. The jury waiting room is spacious and comfortable and doesn’t smell of close b.o., unlike downtown. There is plenty of seating, so you’ll have room to spread out. There are several flat screen TVs, an area for making cell phone calls, a vending machine area, and clean close by bathrooms. There’s even a table if you brought your laptop. No wifi, so bring your portable or go 4g.
3. They are very well organized, so you will be shuttled off to a courtroom, within the first hour.
4. And with any luck you’ll be picked to be on a jury to listen to an interesting criminal case, like I was last month.
5. The food when serving on a jury isn’t great. Why would it be? I include it in the Pros, because you’ll be eating the same thing they serve the inmates, and that, at least is interesting. For lunch we had spaggetti with little meatballs (which was surprisingly tasty, but mushy), mushy canned green beans and soda. For dinner, we had unmemorable sandwiches, chips and soda.
Both meals were good reasons not to get arrested for criminal activity in Cook County.
6. The staff at this court is friendly and helpful, from the folks who metal detect you at the door, to the guards who guide you around, to the clerks all the way up to the judge. They understand that you are there to serve and do your duty as a citizen, and they respect you for giving your time and attention.
Our judge even gave each of us fancy certificates with our names on them, commemorating our service. Nice touch.
Cons: Really only one major con. The long line for free parking in the garage, in the AM. Get there early. Do not park on the street, because it’s metered, and they will not let you in and out of jury duty to go feed your meter.