Jury choice within the historic corruption trial of former Democratic political powerhouse Michael Madigan resumed Tuesday after a protracted vacation weekend, with seven members of the jury nonetheless to be chosen earlier than opening statements started.
Among these questioned within the morning session was Juror 72, a chemical plant employee who had been a member of the general public relations employees for the state Senate within the Nineties, working beneath then-state Sen. Emil Jones Jr.
He stated he took pictures, labored on communications and went door-to-door on Democratic campaigns, however did not fraternize with politicians. He stated he met Madigan as soon as in passing, however actually solely knew him by his repute as a “dominant chief.”
Asked if he went to any fashionable “waterholes” throughout his 4 years in Springfield, the possible juror stated, “I used to be very younger and really poor.”
“We did not go anyplace the place there have been influential individuals,” he stated with amusing. “The backside of the barrel, mainly.”
Juror 72 stated he did not observe state coverage and stated that whereas he knew Madigan had been charged, he did not know any particulars concerning the expenses in opposition to him. He stated he knew Jones’ son “bought into politics” himself, however did not sustain with their household.
Unmentioned in courtroom was that Jones’ son, present state Sen. Emil Jones III, was additionally dealing with corruption expenses. In truth, he had a listening to on his case shortly earlier than Juror 72 was questioned.
Unlike many potential jurors, Juror 72 stated he has no drawback with longtime politicians, saying he is aware of politicians have an advanced job that might take years to really grasp.
“I do know I’m completely different in that manner, however I feel there’s a spot for somebody who is aware of the way it all works,” he stated.
He additionally stated he firmly believes {that a} politician’s enterprise needs to be as separate as attainable from his political life.
“I actually imagine they should not use politics to affect their enterprise or revenue from it,” he stated. “If you wish to do politics, be a politician. I do not like the 2 mixing.”
Also questioned Tuesday morning have been a West Lawn occupational therapist who went to elementary college with Cicero Town President Larry Dominick’s son, a Westmont girl who works in training and stated she helps former Gov. Bruce Rauner is an “IT architect” from Vernon Hills, who stated he knew the title Madigan however did not have an opinion about him.
Madigan, wearing a darkish grey swimsuit and lightweight blue tie, sat together with his legs crossed and a yellow authorized pad on one knee for a lot of the morning questioning.
Madigan, 82, for many years speaker of the Illinois House, faces racketeering expenses that allege he ran his state and political operations like a felony enterprise, plotting with utility giants ComEd and AT&T to outsource to his pals contracts that required little or no work and utilizing his public place to spice up enterprise for his non-public legislation agency.
Both Madigan and his co-defendant, Michael McClain, 77, a former ComEd lobbyist and longtime Madigan confidante, have pleaded not responsible and denied any wrongdoing.
U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey had initially deliberate to offer opening statements Tuesday, however the unexpectedly sluggish tempo of jury choice pushed proceedings again a few week delayed. Opening statements can’t be made till Monday.
A pool of greater than 150 potential jurors from throughout northern Illinois was referred to as into Dirksen’s U.S. courthouse final week for the case, and attorneys are questioning every member of the jury individually to eradicate potential bias. They are solely summoned to courtroom by variety of jurors to guard their privateness.
Potential jurors have been requested about their information consumption habits, their familiarity with Madigan and whether or not they have opinions about unions, lobbying or the state of Illinois politics.
The first three jurors have been chosen Wednesday, together with a former kindergarten instructor, an Amazon warehouse employee and an insurance coverage man from the Southwest Side.
Five extra have been chosen Thursday, together with a suburban nurse and a Wrigleyville girl who stated she lately helped her buddy who organizes skilled occasions for Pritzker manage an occasion for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Three ladies have been chosen Friday: one who lives within the Mount Greenwood neighborhood and needed to be a part of the committee to “give again to my metropolis,” one other who works on the donation heart and a 3rd who’s a affected person coordinator for the University of Chicago Medical Center.
jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com
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