Overview

• Jurors in the federal bribery trial of Illinois State Senator Emil Jones III entered their fourth day of deliberations on Thursday after signaling an impasse on two of three charges.
• Judge Andrea Wood instructed the jury to continue deliberating, stating that a deadlock would be premature, and plans to provide additional guidance regarding their questions on the bribery charge.
• The jury has asked whether they must find that Jones accepted both a $5,000 payment and a job for his former intern to convict on the bribery count, or if one is sufficient.
• Prosecutors allege that Jones agreed to protect a red-light camera executive, Omar Maani, in exchange for the payment and job, with undercover recordings and testimony central to their case.
• If convicted, Jones faces up to 10 years in prison, mandatory resignation from the Illinois Senate, and likely forfeiture of his pension.