Obama Dismissed From Cook County Jury Duty

CHICAGO, IL — Former President Barack Obama was in Chicago Wednesday for jury duty. There was heightened security at the courthouse and surrounding area as Obama's motorcade arrived around 10 a.m. at the Daley Center. Just before noon, Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans told reporters that the former president was dismissed.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Secret Service agents were in the Daley Center Tuesday to prepare for Obama's arrival.

The 44th president spoke about the importance of civic engagement last week at the Obama Foundation Summit on Chicago's South Side.

Chief Judge Tim Evans told county commissioners during a budget hearing last month that Obama would serve. Evans later said that adjustments would be made to accommodate the president's security detail but he did not say which date Obama would serve or at which courthouse location.

Obama was summoned for jury duty at the Bridgeview courthouse in 2010 while he was beginning his second year as president. This time around, he was dismissed from duty but stopped to shake hands on his way out of the courthouse.

Watch: Obama Arrives For Jury Duty

Both Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton also appeared for jury selection after their presidencies.

Obama Foundation Summit. Charles Rex/Associated Press