By Bill McMorris   Illinois Statehouse News

CHICAGO — Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Friday morning made his first public statement on his way to the courtroom where jury selection is set to continue for his federal corruption trial.

Blagojevich used his brief time at the podium to reiterate his innocence, saying his treatment has been “Kafkaesque.”

Franz Kafka was a writer and social critic in early 20th century Austria. “The Trial,” one of his most famous works, tells the story of a man wrongfully arrested in a broken judicial system.

Blagojevich’s anger at the judicial process did not apply to federal Judge James Zagel, however. He praised the judge for his handling of the process used to pick jurors.

“I am extremely and profoundly impressed by the judge’s deliberate approach to the jury selection, the questions he asks them,” he said.

He said  he is confident that under Zagel’s stewardship, he can prove his innocence to the jury and people of Illinois.

It was Blagojevich’s first time at the podium since the start of jury selection on Thursday.

His wife Patti handled the job on Thursday morning. The former first lady thanked supporters and said her husband was a “good, honest man.”

Blagojevich is due back in court at 9 a.m.,  when defense attorneys and prosecutors will begin eliminating jurors thought to be biased.