Vrdolyak has to pay $6,000 in jury expenses

A judge has ordered a former Chicago alderman who suddenly pleaded guilty in a real estate kickback case to pay nearly $6,000, the cost of bringing dozens of prospective jurors to court.

U.S. District Court Judge Milton Shadur's order for Edward Vrdolyak (ver-DOHL'-yak) was entered in federal court on Monday.

Vrdolyak pleaded guilty earlier this month for his role in the sale of a $15 million North Side property. Shadur has said Vrdolyak's last-minute plea came too late to contact jurors and tell them not to come to court.

Vrdolyak's payment is due by Nov. 21. He faces a maximum five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he's sentenced Jan. 9.