Judge Toomin reached out to 101 public agencies and attorneys general throughout the state. Many rejected the request and others were not able. The judge said he then turned to those in private practice.
[Ads /]
WATCH: Dan Webb speaks on appointment as special prosecutor in Jussie Smollett case
Dan Webb speaks after being appointed special prosecutor in Jussie Smollett case
Toomin has known Webb with Winston and Strawn professionally for 50 years and believes he is the "understandable choice" to take on this case. Webb has handled many high profile cases.
In fact, this will be the sixth time that Webb has been tapped to take on the role of special prosecutor. He's been selected by Judge Toomin before to investigate the death of David Koschman, who was punched and killed by former Mayor Richard M. Daley's nephew Richard Venecko in 2004.
WATCH: Timeline of key moments in alleged attack on Jussie Smollett
Jussie Smollett case: Timeline of key moments in alleged attack on 'Empire' actor
Webb has even been retained by the City of Chicago in a previous case. Webb also currently represents Ukrainian Oligarch Dmitry Firtash, who is the subject of an extradition fight by the U.S. to bring him to Chicago in a racketeering case.
For his first order of business, he plans to request the appointment of a grand jury. Then he plans to follow the facts.
"The truth is, I have to go where the facts go and I cannot let politics dictate where I go and how I make decisions," Webb said. "I intend to expedite everything, but the facts will take me where they take me."
Webb said he'll look at the investigations already conducted by other agencies and interview witnesses. He said he plans to reach out to Smollett's attorneys, but Webb wouldn't disclose if Smollett will be interviewed.
WATCH: Video shows Jussie Smollett with rope around his neck
CPD releases hours of video in Jussie Smollett case
Webb learned of his appointment about three weeks ago while on vacation at Disney World with his family. He said he plans on offering his services to the county pro bono, with the exception of out-of-pocket fees.
A petition for a special prosecutor to investigate state's attorney Kim Foxx and her handling of the Jussie Smollett case was filed after Foxx dropped all 16 felony counts the actor faced for allegedly staging a racist and homophobic attack in January.
After countless hours of police investigation, authorities concluded the attack was a hoax. As special prosecutor, Webb can investigate Smollett, who could face charges once again and look into how the case was handled by Foxx.
WATCH: Individuals facing same charge as Jussie Smollett watch case closely
Individuals facing same charge as Jussie Smollett watch case closely
In court, Smollett's attorneys objected to not only the appointment of a special prosecutor, but one that is now in private practice. Smollett himself continues to maintain the January incident was not a hoax.
In response to Webb's appointment, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office released a statement saying, "While the court previously concluded that our office had no conflict of interest in this case, public trust is paramount to our work. We pledge our full cooperation to the special prosecutor appointed today to review this matter.
"We are proud of the dedicated women and men of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office who work hard every day on behalf of victims and communities affected by crime. As we continue our focus on efforts to increase public safety and reduce violence, we remain committed to justice, transparency, and fairness for those we serve.
Fraternal Order of Police President Kevin Graham was also in court Friday, saying many of his members are eager to see the special prosecutor's findings.
"We hope that the special prosecutor looks into not just the Smollett case, but into the conduct of the prosecutor's office here," Graham said.
Previous coverage:
Jussie Smollett case: Hearing held on Chicago's lawsuit against 'Empire' actor
'Empire' filming in Chicago near Jussie Smollett alleged attack site
Jussie Smollett: Judge dismisses motions by 'Empire' actor's attorneys
Jussie Smollett: Attorneys decline special prosecutor role in actor's case, report says
Jussie Smollett news: 'Empire' actor's attorneys argue against special prosecutor, want judge replaced
Jussie Smollett's attorneys argue for Chicago lawsuit to be moved to federal court
Chicago police release investigative files, video of alleged staged attack on 'Empire' actor
Judge orders special prosecutor to review Jussie Smollett case
RELATED: 911 calls released of Jussie Smollett reporting alleged attack
RELATED: Lee Daniels says Jussie Smollett not returning for final season of 'Empire'
RELATED: Cook Co. State's Attorney's Office releases documents in Jussie Smollett case
[Ads /]
RELATED: Chicago police release 400 pages of Jussie Smollett case files
RELATED: Judge rules to unseal records in Jussie Smollett case
RELATED: 'Empire' will go 1 more season, Smollett's future is unclear
RELATED: Judge asked to recuse himself from petition to appoint special prosecutor in Jussie Smollett case
RELATED: Jussie Smollett's contract extended, no plans for character to return to 'Empire'
RELATED: Osundairo brothers file defamation lawsuit against Jussie Smollett's attorneys
RELATED: Kim Foxx receives death threats after Jussie Smollett charges dropped
RELATED: Kim Foxx's chief spokesperson resigns from State's Attorney's Office
RELATED: 2 top staffers leaving Kim Foxx's State's Attorney's Office
RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: Kim Foxx's texts and emails raise more questions about recusal
Kim Foxx texts show she thought number of Jussie Smollett charges 'excessive'
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx asks for review of how Jussie Smollett case was handled
RELATED: Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx asks for review of how Jussie Smollett case was handled
RELATED: City sues Jussie Smollett for cost of investigating alleged staged attack
RELATED: Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx lets Derrion Albert killer off the hook
RELATED: Kim Foxx says 'this is personal' about calls for her to resign
RELATED: Jussie Smollett attorney responds to Chicago's civil suit threat
RELATED: Taraji P. Henson weighs in on 'Empire' co-star Jussie Smollett's case
RELATED: Chicago to file civil suit against 'Empire' actor for not paying $130K cost of police investigation
RELATED: In wake of Jussie Smollett, suburban police chiefs take no confidence stance against State's Attorney Kim Foxx
RELATED: Jussie Smollett case leads to protests for, against Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx
RELATED: Chris Rock rips an absent Jussie Smollett at the NAACP Image Awards
RELATED: Thousands referred for alternative prosecution by Cook County prosecutors haven't completed process
RELATED: Jussie Smollett's surprise deal raises new questions
RELATED: City of Chicago asks Jussie Smollett to pay for $130,000 cost of investigation
RELATED: FBI reviewing circumstances of Jussie Smollett's charges being dropped, sources confirm
RELATED: What's inside the CPD Jussie Smollett investigative file?
[Ads /]
RELATED: Mayor Emanuel calls decision to drop charges against Smollett 'whitewash of justice'
RELATED: Charges dropped against 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett
RELATED: Osundairo brother at center of Jussie Smollett case compete in Chicago boxing match
RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: 'Pain and anger' around 'Empire' in recent weeks, Lee Daniels says
RELATED: FOP accuses Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx of interfering in Jussie Smollett investigation
RELATED: Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty to disorderly conduct charges
RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: Texts shed light on why State's Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself
RELATED: Jussie Smollett appears in court for hearing; Cameras allowed for Thursday hearing
RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: Brothers 'taken advantage of' by Smollett, attorney says
RELATED: Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 felony counts by grand jury
RELATED: Brothers reportedly involved in Jussie Smollett alleged hoax release statement expressing 'regret'
RELATED: Jussie Smollett's check to brothers obtained by ABC News
RELATED: Jussie Smollett's character to be removed from 'Empire', producers say
RELATED: What's next for Jussie Smollett? Possible big police bill
RELATED: Jussie Smollett alleged hoax may cast doubt on real hate crimes, advocates fear
RELATED: Jussie Smollett out on bond after being accused of staging attack
RELATED: Jussie Smollett charged with disorderly conduct for filing false police report, prosecutors say
RELATED: Cook Co. State's Attorney Kim Foxx recuses herself from Jussie Smollett investigation
RELATED: Brothers told police Smollett was upset threatening letter didn't get enough attention, staged attack
RELATED: Activist calls for Smollett's arrest, believes actor lied about attack
RELATED: Brothers tell police that Jussie Smollett paid them to stage attack, official says
RELATED: Sources: Police investigating whether Smollett staged attack with help of others
RELATED: Timeline of key moments in alleged attack on Jussie Smollett
RELATED: Jussie Smollett breaks silence on Chicago attack
RELATED: 'Empire' actor's family releases statement on attack, pictures of possible persons of interest released
RELATED: Photos show potential persons of interest in 'Empire' actor attack, police say
RELATED: 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett attacked in Chicago in possible hate crime, police say