Mike Madigan trial updates: Potential jurors being interviewed in corruption trial

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.

The jury selection process in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's corruption trial has been slow thus far on the first day of interviews Wednesday.

Only five potential jurors had been interviewed by about noon.

Two more were dismissed before lunch.

The judge hearing the case asked attorneys for an estimate of how long selection might take. They said they believe they can still do it in three days.

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

Potential jurors will be interviewed.

Potential jurors will be interviewed Wednesday in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's corruption trial, which could last months.

The process was expected to begin about 9 a.m.