Lawmakers look to oust Smith
By: Brittany Harris/WCIA-3 News
Updated: November 14, 2012
SPRINGFIELD -- State leaders are cracking open the law books. They hope to find a way to keep Derrick Smith out of the Capitol.
The former house representative was kicked out of office this summer, but won re-election. Kicking him out of office for a second time will be easier said than done. That's because he can't be voted out for the same reasons.
He was originally expelled for federal bribery charges, accused of accepting a $7,000 bribe. Experts say there's only two ways he can be removed again: 1. if he faces additional charges while he's in office and 2. if he is convicted of those bribery charges.
Representative Adam Brown, (R)-Decatur, says this situation is just sad. He says all it does it make Illinois look even more corrupt.
"You take a look at the other listings of activity that we went through in this scandal and it's just appalling. And to think that we already kicked him out once for it and that his voters would come back and re-elect him into office is something I didn't expect," he said.
Smith beat his opponent with more than 60% of the votes. He maintains his innocence and says he didn't accept any bribes.
Experts add that even if Smith isn't eventually kicked out, the chamber can still find ways to isolate him. One option could be by not allowing him to join any committees.
The former house representative was kicked out of office this summer, but won re-election. Kicking him out of office for a second time will be easier said than done. That's because he can't be voted out for the same reasons.
He was originally expelled for federal bribery charges, accused of accepting a $7,000 bribe. Experts say there's only two ways he can be removed again: 1. if he faces additional charges while he's in office and 2. if he is convicted of those bribery charges.
Representative Adam Brown, (R)-Decatur, says this situation is just sad. He says all it does it make Illinois look even more corrupt.
"You take a look at the other listings of activity that we went through in this scandal and it's just appalling. And to think that we already kicked him out once for it and that his voters would come back and re-elect him into office is something I didn't expect," he said.
Smith beat his opponent with more than 60% of the votes. He maintains his innocence and says he didn't accept any bribes.
Experts add that even if Smith isn't eventually kicked out, the chamber can still find ways to isolate him. One option could be by not allowing him to join any committees.
