Ill. Pattern Jury Instr. (Criminal) 29.01

[1] Members of the jury, the evidence and arguments in this case have been completed,

and I now will instruct you as to the law.

[2] The law that applies to this case is stated in these instructions, and it is your duty to

follow all of them. You must not single out certain instructions and disregard others. [When I use

the word “he” in these instructions, I mean a male or a female.]

[3] It is your duty to determine the facts and to determine them only from the evidence in

this case. You are to apply the law to the facts and in this way decide the case.

[4] These proceedings are about the defendant’s fitness to stand trial. You are not to

concern yourself with the defendant’s guilt or innocence or possible punishment or sentence for

any offense charged during your deliberation.

[5] Neither sympathy nor prejudice should influence you. You should not be biased in

favor or against any person because of that person’s race, ethnicity, national ancestry, religion,

gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or socioeconomic status.

[6] From time to time it has been the duty of the court to rule on the admissibility of

evidence. You should not concern yourselves with the reasons for these rulings. You should

disregard questions [and exhibits] which were withdrawn or to which objections were sustained.

[7] [Any evidence that was received for a limited purpose should not be considered by

you for any other purpose.]

[8] You should disregard testimony [and exhibits] which the court has refused or stricken.

[9] The evidence which you should consider consists only of the testimony of the

witnesses [and (the exhibits) (and) (stipulations) (and) (judicially noticed facts)] which the court

has received. [You may, but are not required to, accept as conclusive any fact judicially noticed.]

[10] You should consider all the evidence in the light of your own observations and

experience in life.

[11] We all have feelings, assumptions, perceptions, fears, and stereotypes about others.

Some biases we are aware of and others we might not be fully aware of, which is why they are

called “implicit biases” or “unconscious biases.”

[12] Our biases often affect how we act, favorably or unfavorably, toward someone.

Biases also can affect our thoughts, how we remember, what we see and hear, whom we believe

or disbelieve, and how we make important decisions.

[13] As jurors you are being asked to make important decisions in this case. You must

resist jumping to conclusions based on personal likes or dislikes. You must not let bias,

prejudice, or public opinion influence your decision.

[14] Neither by these instructions nor by any ruling or remark which I have made do I

mean to indicate any opinion as to the facts or as to what your verdict should be.

[15] Faithful performance by you of your duties as jurors is vital to the administration of

justice.