Cook County judge facing fraud trial; could be knocked off bench

There's nothing unusual about a politician facing trial in Chicago.

But in what could be a rare sight, a sitting Cook County judge is expected to fill the defendant's chair Monday at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

Jessica Arong O'Brien is charged in connection with an alleged $1.4 million scheme that has nothing to do with her work on the bench. The feds have said they're unlikely to even tell the jury what O'Brien does for a living, unless she testifies.

Opening statements in her trial could begin as early as Tuesday in U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin's courtroom, following jury selection.

In addition to the serious consequence of facing prison time, state law indicates O'Brien would lose her job if convicted at the end of what could be a two-week trial. The job comes with a $198,075-a-year salary, according to the Illinois Supreme Court.

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