Illinois Senator’s Power Was ‘Up for Sale,’ Lawyers Say at Trial

April 9, 2025, 11:19 PM UTC

At a dimly lit Chicago steakhouse in 2019, an executive for a red-light camera company asked Illinois Sen. Emil Jones III (D) an unusual question after discussing an upcoming fundraiser.

“In an ideal world, how much would you want me to come up with or raise or what have you for it?” Omar Maani asked, and moments later added: “You tell me what, cause I always like to have a goal.”

“Well,” Jones said as he leaned back in his chair. “No one’s ever asked me that before. They all just tell me.”

Maani insisted that Jones ...

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