Former President Obama Reported For Jury Duty, But His Panel Wasnt Needed [View all]

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CHICAGO (CBS) —

Former President Barack Obama reported for jury duty Wednesday morning at the Daley Center downtown, but was in the courthouse less than two hours before he was allowed to go home.

Obama worked the jury room, greeting and thanking other citizens for their jury service. At one point he looked over the room and said, “This looks like Chicago!”

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans greeted the former president when he arrived in the jury assembly room on the 17th floor of the courthouse. Shortly before noon, Evans announced Obama had been dismissed for the day. The former president had been selected for a jury panel that was not needed on Wednesday, and the entire panel was allowed to go home around lunchtime.

Like other jurors, Obama will be paid $17.20 for each day of service.

This isn’t his first time Obama has been selected for jury duty since he was elected president. He also was summoned for jury duty at the Bridgeview Courthouse in January 2010, but was excused from serving because of his busy schedule at the time.