Bianchi could opt for bench trial in corruption case

The defense team for McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi, who is accused of corruption and misconduct, has not ruled out a bench trial.

“When you have a case as weak as this one, often times a bench trial is the best way to proceed,” said Terry Ekl, Bianchi's lead defense attorney.

Bianchi and his personal secretary, Joyce Synek, were indicted in September 2010 by a grand jury on charges they used county resources for Bianchi's campaign.

Friday, Ekl argued before Winnebago County Judge Joseph McGraw that the two special prosecutors assigned to the case, Henry Tonigan and Thomas McQueen, overstepped their authority to investigate, misled the grand jury and that the charges should be dismissed.

McGraw will rule on that issue within a week, but he did order the prosecution to turn over to Bianchi's defense team transcripts from the grand jury and notes investigators have from all the witnesses they interviewed.

Ekl plans to dissect the transcripts and could use that information to put together another effort to have the charges dropped.

Both sides are due in McHenry County court again on Feb. 2 and both sides told McGraw they would be ready for trial on March 21.

Tonigan said the grand jury continues to investigate but declined to elaborate. McQueen declined to comment after the hearing.