The process had been delayed one day to allow a defense appeal.
Calvin Boender is accused of providing former alderman Ike Carothers with $40,000-worth of home improvements, in exchange for help with a zoning change.
He also is charged with providing Carothers with free meals and sports tickets and funneling illegal campaign contributions to a Carothers relative.
Carothers plead guilty to corruption and resigned from office.