Tagged: Derrick Smith

State Representative LaShawn Ford stands accused of 17 counts of bank fraud and lying to the bank. Federal prosecutors say the Chicago Democrat took out a line of credit worth a half million dollars starting in 2006 from the now-failed ShoreBank. Ford owns a real estate company.

For the first time in more than a century, the Illinois House has voted to kick out one of its members.  

Derrick Smith, a Democrat who had represented the west side of Chicago, is charged with taking a $7,000 bribe in exchange for helping a daycare secure a state grant.

Although he's fighting the charge in court, legislators say his removal is warranted because it's clear he crossed the line.

The Illinois House of Representatives will convene for one day next month to consider whether to expel one of its own.

A day after a special House committee recommended that Rep. Derrick Smith, D-Chicago, lose his seat, Speaker Michael Madigan told members to be in Springfield on Friday, Aug. 17.