Businessman James T. Weiss is accused of bribing two state lawmakers to push legislation in Springfield, but it was Chicago politics that took center stage as his corruption trial neared its end Tuesday.
The focus turned from the state capitol to City Hall, with testimony from former Ald. Patrick O’Connor (40th) and Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association. It revolved around Weiss’ claim that he had not bribed then-state Rep. Luis Arroyo, but rather paid him to help block an ordinance O’Connor had proposed.
