Lawmaker convicted of bribery loses seat
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois law strips elected officials of their seats following a felony conviction.
That means Derrick Smith loses his state House seat after a jury convicted him this week of taking a $7,000 bribe.
The guilty verdicts for one count of bribery and one of attempted extortion were formally entered into the U.S. District Court docket on Wednesday.
After the Chicago Democrat's arrest, the House voted to expel him. But he ran again and won in 2012. Smith then lost his 2014 primary and his term in office was to end in January.
Democratic committeemen from Smith's district are expected to appoint someone to fill the vacancy.
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