Derrick Smith (politician)

Derrick Smith is a former member of the Illinois House of Representatives. As a Democrat, he represented the 10th District from March 2011 – August 2012 and again January 2013 – June 2014. Darrius "Koach" Smith is the youngest of Smith's children.

Derrick Smith
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 10th district
In office
January 9, 2013 (2013-Jan-09) – June 11, 2014 (2014-Jun-11)
Preceded byEddie Winters
Succeeded byPamela Reaves-Harris
In office
March 2011 (2011-March) – August 2012 (2012-August)
Preceded byAnnazette Collins
Succeeded byEddie Winters
Personal details
BornChicago, Illinois
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Valerie
ProfessionState Representative

Education and career

Smith received an associate's degree in liberal arts from Malcolm X College in 2003. In 2005, he received a B.S. in business administration from DePaul University.

Smith then served as Deputy Director of Accounting Revenue for Jesse White, the Secretary of State of Illinois.[1][2] He then served on the Human Services, Cities & Villages, State Government Administration, Appropriations-Public Safety, and Housing committees in the Illinois General Assembly.

Smith was appointed to the Illinois House in March 2011 when his predecessor, Annazette Collins, was appointed to the Illinois State Senate.[1] During the 2012 Democratic primary, Smith defeated challenger Tom Swiss receiving 76.7% of the votes cast.[3]

Indictment for corruption and 1st term

On March 13, 2012, Representative Smith was indicted on bribery charges after allegedly receiving a $7,000 cash payment in exchange for writing a letter in support of a day care center to receive a $50,000 state grant.[4] The indictment was the result of a campaign worker for Smith who was also working as an informant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to the indictment Smith wrote the letter to help a fictitious day care owner in a bid for an Early Childhood Construction Grant from the Illinois State Capital Development Board. Following his victory in the 2012 Primary, Republicans in the State General Assembly have called for a special House panel to investigate the corruption charges against Smith.[5] House Speaker Michael Madigan announced shortly afterwards that three representatives had been appointed and would begin investigating in March 2012.[6]

Smith was expelled from the Illinois House of Representatives by a vote of 100 to 6 on August 17, 2012. However, Smith was still on the ballot for the November 2012 General Election.[7] Smith won reelection and was sworn in January 9, 2013, reclaiming his seat. Per state law, he could not be expelled a second time for the same offense.[8]

Bribery conviction and 2nd term

In March 2014, Smith lost his district's primary election to Pamela Reaves-Harris, rendering Smith a lame duck official.[9]

Jurors deliberated for about four hours over two days before returning a guilty verdict on 10 June 2014, which automatically resulted in Smith being removed from his House seat for a second time.[10] Federal prosecutors sought a sentence of five years in federal prison.[11]

Personal life

Smith and his wife, Valerie, have three sons and six grandchildren.

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References
  1. "Secretary of State administrator chosen for West Side House seat". Chicago Tribune. 24 March 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  2. "About Derrick". Derrick Smith Campaign Website. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  3. "Official Results, Democratic Primary, March 20, 2012". Chicago Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  4. "State Rep. Derrick Smith, of Chicago, is charged with accepting bribe". Chicago Tribune. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  5. "Quinn, White say arrested lawmaker should step down". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  6. "Legislative committee to investigate lawmaker". Osh Kosh Northwestern. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  7. Long, Ray; Sweeney, Annie (August 17, 2012). "Rep. Derrick Smith booted from office". ChicagoTribune.com. Chicago: Tribune Company. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  8. "Rep. Derrick Smith found guilty in corruption case". NBC Chicago. 11 June 2014.
  9. "Madigan loses some, wins more in Democratic primary". Chicago Tribune.
  10. "Illinois Representative Derrick Smith convicted of bribery". WAND Television (www.wandtv.com). Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  11. "Feds Seek 5 Years For Former State Rep. Derrick Smith On Bribery Charge". CBS Chicago. 19 February 2015.
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