Alderman Michael McGee Jr. made his initial appearance on federal bribery and extortion charges.  McGee's defense attorney said he wants to hear the federal wiretap evidence before making arguments in a bail hearing.

Prosecutors want McGee detained without bail untill his federal trial. McGee supporters did make the $50,000 bail for him Thursday in connection with the state criminal case.  Reverend Lee Ross Shack helped raise the bail money, and said, "I know alderman McGee, and he did great things in the neighborhood.  So, you know, I mean, somebody had to take a stand and stand up and try to help him when he's in jail.  If I was in jail, I'd want somebody to come to my rescue."

The next federal court date for McGee is scheduled for July ninth.  McGee has been behind bars since Memorial Day.  The federal charges against him carry maximum penalties of 30 years in prison and a half-million dollars in fines.