CHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago Democrat who was ejected from the Illinois House of Representatives because of a federal bribery charge has won his seat back.
Derrick Smith refused to take his name off the ballot after federal prosecutors claimed he accepted a $7,000 cash bribe in an FBI sting in exchange for what he thought was a letter of support for a daycare center’s state grant application. He has pleaded not guilty.
Smith defeated 10th District Unity candidate Lance Tyson on Tuesday. Tyson had the support of regular Democrats — including an endorsement from Gov. Pat Quinn — who had abandoned Smith after his March arrest.
The Democratic-controlled House ejected Smith in August, but the Illinois Constitution prohibits expelling a lawmaker more than once for the same offense.
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
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