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Prosecutors and defense attorneys for Madigan and co-defendant
Michael McClain spent three days interviewing prospective jurors
last week.
Taraleigh Davis, assistant professor of Public Law and Political
Science at Bradley University, told The Center Square it is not
surprising that several people spent more than 30 minutes
answering questions.
“I mean, to have eleven jurors already selected in a week
actually isn’t that bad. They’ll be looking at the last one and
then alternates this week,” Davis explained.
Individuals who received jury summons filled out questionnaires
before appearing in court. One prospective juror told The Center
Square that the questionnaire included 88 questions.
Davis said Judge John Robert Blakey is not rushing the process.
“Two different defense teams also asking questions adds to the
timing of it. Interestingly, the judge seemed to be OK with them
taking their time and building rapport with the jurors in the
questioning,” Davis said.
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some activities over threats
Davis is also a Legal Studies and Pre-Law Advisor at Bradley.
She said jury selection is challenging with a high-profile
person like Madigan.
“Madigan’s over-decades involvement in Illinois politics,
Democratic Party of Illinois, it’s really difficult to find a
jury possibly that doesn’t already have pre-conceived notions of
him in particular. It makes a big difference if it’s a figure
like that,” Davis said.
Madigan chaired the Democratic Party of Illinois from 1998 to
2021. He was a state representative from 1971 to 2021 and served
as Speaker of the Illinois House from 1983 to 1995 and from 1997
to 2021.
Madigan is charged in U.S. District Court for the Northern
District of Illinois with 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and
official misconduct.
Co-defendant McClain is a longtime Madigan associate who worked
as a lobbyist after serving in the Statehouse.
Eleven members of the jury have been seated for the trial at the
Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago. One more juror plus six
alternates are needed for the trial to proceed. |
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