Chicago policeman will fill House seat

A Chicago police officer has been picked to fill the state House seat left vacant after former Rep. Derrick Smith was expelled by his legislative colleagues over bribery allegations.

Democratic leaders in Chicago on Friday chose Eddie Winters to fill the seat until the winner of the November election takes office in January.

Smith remains on the ballot and could get his seat back, despite last week’s expulsion and pressure from fellow Democrats to step aside.

Smith faces federal charges in the case. Prosecutors allege he took $7,000 in cash to write what he thought was a letter of support for a day care center’s state grant application. He has pleaded not guilty.

The Chicago Tribune reported Winters has worked as a counter-terrorism officer in the Chicago Police Department.