The suspects, Thomas Hawkins, 48, and John Racasi, 51, both from Chicago, allegedly discussed scheming with others to facilitate property tax reductions in exchange for bribes — though they are only charged with accepting a single bribe, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The men worked as analysts bribe was allegedly paid in 2008, prosecutors say.

During an afternoon hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cole set bond at $10,000 and both men — arrested earlier in the day — were expected to be released by day’s end with a firm order not to discuss the case with each other or anyone else.

The men still are on the payroll for the tax appeals Board of Review, which has three elected commissioners. Each commissioner employs analysts and other staff who aid in research and making recommendations as commissioners prepare to vote on an appeal.

Prosecutors declined to name who the men were working for, saying only in court papers that their boss was “Board of Review Commissioner A.”

Asked about the pair’s employment status in the wake of the federal charges, the board’s Chief Deputy Commissioner John Nyhan said he had just learned about the charges and couldn’t immediately provide an answer. He did say the two currently serve as “clerical staff” in the office.