Expelled State Rep. Derrick Smith
For the first time in more than a century the Illinois House has expelled one of its members.
Lawmakers voted 100-6 on Friday to expel Chicago Democratic state Rep. Derrick Smith.
Federal prosecutors have charged the 48-year-old Smith with accepting a $7,0 bribe in exchange for his official support on what he thought was a day care operation’s state grant request. He has pleaded not guilty. A trial date has not been set.
After the vote House Speaker Mike Madigan asked the clerk to remove Smith from the House’s roll.
But Smith remains on the November ballot and could be re-elected to his post.
Smith plans to make public remarks this afternoon in Chicago.
The House has only considered expulsion of one of its members twice in the past century and hasn’t tossed one out since 1905.
