Mike Madigan trial updates: Lawyers make their way through up to 180 prospective jurors

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan and his co-defendant did not appear to openly acknowledge each other in court Thursday.

Madigan and Mike McClain sat at separate defense tables.

Despite their documented close relationship that dates back to the 1970s, neither man appeared to acknowledge the other.

The men are charged in an expansive 117-page racketeering indictment.

Both Madigan and McClain have pleaded not guilty.

The trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan continues Thursday, with jury selection.

Lawyers are making their way through up to 180 prospective jurors in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's corruption trial.

Fifteen jurors were dismissed before the start of proceedings around 9 a.m., but jury selection continues to be behind schedule.

The judge presiding over the case said, given the current pace, the jury would likely be selected by the end of next week, rather than this week, as planned.

But, questioning has gone from an average of 36 minutes to 21 minutes per juror.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan sat at the defense table listening intently and taking notes, as attorneys began the lengthy process of interviewing up to 180 prospective jurors.

It is a process riddled with challenges, taking into account the nearly four decades Madigan spent at the top of Illinois government.

"An impartial jury is always difficult in a case like this because everybody is going to have heard about the case. Anyone who says they haven't heard about the case is probably lying. Anyone who said they haven't heard about at least Michael Madigan is probably lying," criminal defense attorney Steve Greenberg said. "You want to endear yourself to the jurors. So, both sides are going to be talking to them. They're going to want to be likable. They're going to use some humor when they're asking questions. They're going to try and relate to the jurors."

Jury selection has continued Wednesday in the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

Potential jurors are being interviewed.

Several have already been dismissed.

Jury selection on the first day of questioning went much slower than expected, with attorneys initially averaging more than half an hour per person, questioning prospective jurors on everything from their union membership to their TV preferences.

It is a process to which much time was dedicated during pre-trial hearings, as well, with defense attorneys at one point wanting to hire an outside company to research potential jurors' online footprints for signs of bias against Madigan. Ultimately, that request was rejected by the court.

Twelve jurors and six alternates will eventually be selected.

Three jurors have been selected, including two men and one woman, but interviews are still running behind the hoped for schedule.