The Illinois House opened a special investigation Tuesday into Democratic state Rep. Derrick Smith, who faces a federal charge for allegedly accepting a cash bribe. According to the Chicago Tribune:
Democratic Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Northbrook, the investigative committee's chair, contended the allegations against Smith represented a "gross breach of public trust" but he is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. …
Smith was charged one week before the March 20 primary with taking a $7,000 cash bribe in a federal sting. Prosecutors said Smith agreed to the bribe in return for writing a favorable letter to state officials in support of a grant for a day-care center. Federal authorities had created a [fictitious] center as part of the sting, which involved an undercover informant.
Smith won the primary with 77 percent of the vote. …
House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, had pumped $60,000 into Smith's election before the arrest. He has since declined comment on whether Smith should step down, citing his leadership position over the House investigation.
