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A few House members embrace indicted pol

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Illinois

* As you already know, indicted state Rep. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago) was back on the job yesterday. Some colleagues gave him an initially warm welcome…

Smith — who was indicted last week by a federal grand jury on a bribery charge — spent part of Tuesday’s session in his seat, where a few colleagues approached with hands extended. Later, a smiling Smith worked the Democratic side of the aisle.

“I greeted him because he’s here to represent the people who elected him,” said Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago). “I just told him God bless him. He’s got some challenging days ahead of him.”

ABC7’s video is here.

* Rep. Will Davis is on the House Special Investigating Committee which is looking at whether there is enough evidence to begin disciplinary proceedings against Rep. Smith. So these comments are somewhat unusual…

Democratic Representative Will Davis, also from Cook County, says it’s a good thing Smith is back to work. He spoke with Smith on his first day back to session.

DAVIS “We didn’t talk about anything in particular, certainly asked him how he was doing considering everything that’s been going on with him, said he was doing fine. As far as him coming back, certainly I see no challenges with him coming back, he’s still a member of the General Assembly. He still has duties and responsibilities to the constituents.”

Yes, he’s their colleague, but it really sends a horrible message to the public at large when a guy caught on tape allegedly accepting a $7,000 bribe is embraced.

* You gotta wonder what’s going to happen when Smith presents a bill. He picked up sponsorship of SB3555, which is backed by Secretary State Jesse White, Smith’s political godfather and former employer. The bill passed the Senate 55-0, but that’s still gonna be one odd debate. The measure has been assigned to the House Executive Committee, but hasn’t yet been posted for a hearing.

* And subscribers knew about this demand by Rep. Jack Franks last week…

“I am going to make it very clear that Representative Smith is innocent until proven guilty,” said Rep. Jack Franks, (D) McHenry.

But Rep. Franks wants limits placed on Smith’s legislative duties.

“I’ve asked the speaker to suspend Rep. Smith from any committee work pending the outcome either of the federal indictment and trial, or whether he pleads or not pleads,” said Franks.

Your thoughts on suspending Smith from his committee assignments?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 9:51 am

Comments

“I greeted him because he’s here to represent the people who elected him,” said Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago).

Would that be Jesse White and the party bosses since he was appointed?

Comment by OurMagician Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 9:56 am
It’s IL.

Ain’t never gonna get better.

Heartbreaking.

Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 10:05 am
Can someone remind us when JackThePRW…..tip toed along the edge of disaster in the health facilities planning board scandal how many committees he dropped?

Or how many reps will tell a long time friend no i won’t write a supporting letter for a entity in my district? Show of hands

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 10:09 am
It is one thing to say that he’s innocent until proven guilty. It is another to embrace him.

Ford and Franks are both wrong. Let the man appear, speak, and otherwise do his job. But the membership needs to keep a distance.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 10:12 am
“embraced” …lol

Well Done, Rich.

I can see a “removal” of assignments, but not too concerned about Committee Votes … You can stack a Committee at any time by swapping memebers, for ANY committee, for any bill … so the Committee removal is less of a deal for me.

“embraced” … still chuckling.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 10:12 am
He was present and on the job this morning in the House Human Services Committee.

Comment by Gime Me A Break Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 10:13 am
Mr. Ford does not suffer fools.

The Feds probably have offered Ford money also.
What hurts the state more .. long term?

A $ 7,000 bribe to someone with little clout?
The downtown Chicago parking lot sales?
Selling the Chicago street parking?
The red light/speeding camera deals?
State and local bonding deals?

Is any West side politician invited to profit from these deals?

Mr. Ford is a man of courage.

He has his own well reasoned opinions.

He has asked the state often for the National Guard to help stop the daily murders in his district.

His view of solutions is not that of Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson.

I like Ford a lot.
I think he is a breath of fresh air.

Comment by gg Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 10:24 am
Democrats should thank george ryan and rod blagojevich and every other indicted/convicted politician in Illinois because after all those debacles the electorate has proven it just doesn’t care anymore. In 49 other states this would be a big deal, the opposing party would be able to use it for political gain and voters in the next election would hold Democrats accountable for it, but voters are so used to this by now, Springfield Republicans are so horribly incompetent and I just don’t think people care enough about a state rep in a Presidential election year. A 2 term Governor going to jail could not get the state to change parties down there, I really don’t think a state rep is going to cause anything more than some nasty press releases, maybe a talk radio/drudge “chicago is corrupt hit or two” and some reporters to lament that in Illinois the names change but the game is still the same.

Comment by Shore Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 10:26 am
Let’s go through this one more time.

Innocent until proven guilty applies in a criminal trial. It doesn’t mean that people in other settings can’t draw normal inferences against a criminal defendant based on publicly-released evidence and his conduct.

Heck, yes, he should be suspended from his committee assignments.

Comment by Anonymour Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 10:28 am
- gg -

===Is any West side politician invited to profit from these deals?===

Confused … Are ANY politicians invited to profit from deals? Usually when you get “invited”, then you get “indicted”

“If you take the IN-VITE, then Fitz will IN-DICT”

Your post confuses me ….not suffering fools, and if he was “offered” money and refused, … that is great … but being not currupt is expected, not a show of good character!

Good Grief, if we pat everyone on the back for doing what is expected and what is right, what does that say about the Pol AND us???

Like I said … you kinda confused me.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 10:32 am
Wouldn’t blocking Smith from committees be considered disciplinary action?

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 10:43 am
Willy,

Everything is perspective.
I will admit I am afraid to get out of my car on the west side of Chicago.
Would you get out of your car in Austin?
How do the people that live on the west side feel about goverment provided safety/service?

How do they view a $ 7,000 bribe to someone who lives with them compared to a multi million dollar job/finders fee for the parking space deal with Chase bank?
So the people on the west side have a problem because what they see as the real corruption is legal?

What is legal and how things work are different issues? Not all poor people are stupid.

Comment by gg Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 10:52 am
The probably ask him if he has said anything about them. Or keep your mouth shut. Also I think any other state employee would be suspended from all duties until issue/trial is resolved.

Comment by Only in Illinois Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 10:56 am
===So the people on the west side have a problem because what they see as the real corruption is legal?

What is legal and how things work are different issues? Not all poor people are stupid.===

Here is a clue …

If what you do gets you jail time - illegal.

If what you do “smells”, but is not against any laws - legal, maybe not ethical.

Ethical v. Legal is HUGE.

Maybe that’s why all of our “ethics” have been questioned because parts of society MAY think taking “seven large” is ok, AND also think having influence to get a deal done in a Capitalist society is bad … that is a problem no matter how you rationalize it.

I am not confused anymore on your post(s), curruption is an ethical issue, legal system notwithstanding!

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:05 am
Willy

I think you nailed it.

Would you get out of you car and walk around the block for 7 large in Austin?

If not, which laws are most important?
Does it depends on when and where?
Which laws are enforced by the police in Austin?

Comment by gg Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:14 am
==after all those debacles the electorate has proven it just doesn’t care anymore. In 49 other states this would be a big deal==

My God, have you ever been out of this state? I’ve worked on campaigns in 6 different states and I can tell you that local politics stink everywhere. In Virginia in 09, a Republican state rep had his office raided by the Feds. He lost his seat, but it didn’t have ANY effect on any other race whatsoever. The Republicans swept everything that year (House and all the state-wides.) The bad deeds of a state rep who is from another part of the state just doesn’t get a lot of coverage.

You can moan on and on about how bad Illinois is, but we’re not some slimy outlier. In all honesty, the 2 dirtiest states I worked in were Tennessee and Florida without a doubt. Every meeting you went to was some good ol’ boy asking for a taste.

Comment by chuddery Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:20 am
===Would you get out of you car and walk around the block for 7 large in Austin?

If not, which laws are most important?
Does it depends on when and where?
Which laws are enforced by the police in Austin?===

(Looking) … How does this jive with being caught with “seven large” and on tape?

- gg- I think your thinking is flawed, but I can’t follow you at all to know where you are going with all of this!!

I can care less if its Austin, Logan Square, Back of the Yards, or Oswego. Are you saying Smith is a “victim” of his “enviorment” and “ethics”???

You are confusing me more and more ….

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:25 am
Franks has a point, but as usual, is grandstanding.

Read the criminal complaint. This case is murky and based on the word of an unnamed informant. It could be that Smith was trying to conceal a campaign contribution. That is still wrong, but not something to send him to prison over in my opinion. The tapes didn’t record every conversation between Smith and the informant either, so it’s impossible to know at this point what happened other than Smith wrote a letter and received $7,000 in cash.

I think Ford and Davis showed a great deal of class and compassion to a colleague. You find out who your real friends are during times of trouble. When you’re on top, everybody loves you. When you’re at rock bottom, only true friends stand with you.

Having said that, I think Smith should voluntarily give up his committee assignments and his bills until this is resolved.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:26 am
- 47th -

Great post! Well said! Ford was in a tough spot too, to top it all off.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:29 am
He should be suspended. I don’t know the rules down there, but this looks incredibly bad for Democrats coming a month after blago.

Comment by Shore Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:31 am
===but not something to send him to prison over in my opinion.===

Missed that - 47th -, I think, if a jury finds him “guilty” he needs to go away.

A bribe, is a bribe, is a bribe … but that is for the Feds, Smith’s Lawyer and a jury to decide if it WAS that, which, in my opinion, doesn’t look too good for Smith.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:34 am
OW,

I didn’t say he should escape prison if he’s convicted of accepting a bribe. I said if his defense is that he was only concealing a campaign contribution and he’s acquitted, he still did something wrong. But concealing a campaign contribution shouldn’t be a jailable offense.

The jury gets to decide the facts. The House can still expel him even if the jury acquits him.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:42 am
===It could be that Smith was trying to conceal a campaign contribution. ===

Accepting that much cash as a campaign contribution would be illegal as well.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:45 am
Willy,

All I am saying is “you don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.”

And you do not need to duck gagster bullets in Oswego.

Ghetto residents may view ethics differently than you.

gg

Comment by gg Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:46 am
The GA has overwhelmingly confirmed Quinn/Blago appointees with known ethical problems, ongoing investigations, and civil proceedings related to alleged wrongdoing in public office. Based on the standards set by the legislature for others (except the Blago impeachment), Rep. Smith’s problems should be a non-issue.

Comment by Honestly Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:47 am
===I didn’t say he should escape prison if he’s convicted of accepting a bribe. I said if his defense is that he was only concealing a campaign contribution and he’s acquitted, he still did something wrong. But concealing a campaign contribution shouldn’t be a jailable offense.===

Understood.

I can’t see the “hiding a contribution” defense, as you are giving as a possible “out”, when you want “cash”,

and …

The “no jail” for hiding that contribution, if found guilty of hiding that contribution, is where we part company.

Franks grandstanding - 100%, if you are going to go to work - voluntary step down from committees and sponsoring bills - 100%.

I mis”posted” on those points, my mistake.

The “Franks” take and the remedy at the end, I am with you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:50 am
He’s such a small fry. Who were the federales really after?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:51 am
===Accepting that much cash as a campaign contribution would be illegal as well.===

Which is one reason why somebody would want to conceal it, right?

Again, you don’t go to federal prison for violating state campaign finance laws. You pay a fine, and you face the music with a House disciplinary action.

He’s accused of taking a bribe. I’m sure he’ll put on a defense. If I were advising him, that would be my defense. Will the jury buy it? Who knows? But there’s been an incredible and troubling rush to judgement in this case.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:51 am
- gg -

===All I am saying is “you don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.”

And you do not need to duck gagster bullets in Oswego.

Ghetto residents may view ethics differently than you.===

Good luck with all that! I am done.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:52 am
It wasn’t so much an embrace as it was a quick pat down for a wire.

Comment by Leave a Light on George Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:55 am
===He’s such a small fry. Who were the federales really after?===

That IS the question, isn’t it?

Unless Smith’s “For Sale” sign was blinking so brightly that the “G” had to see if he was seriously “open for business”.

My take on that aspect is that Smith was “open for business”, and off the reservation so far, that the “G” was shocked to find Smith had no one to “give up” AND that “For Sale” sign was just for him.

Allegedly. All Allegedly.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 11:56 am
If you’re not going to run the expulsion right away (and I think a real man would have/should have, and electoral strategy be damned), then you leave him alone until after the election, and take him down hard, all the way, after the election. Meanwhile, while we await the outcome of the trial process, he should have as little to do as possible. This is the equivalent of enduring a long elevator ride after someone has crop dusted it.

Comment by Newsclown Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 12:32 pm
In the long run, letting him fester there in the House hurts Madigan and the party more than just expelling him and dealing with the election later.

Comment by truffler Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 12:34 pm
Unreal. Not unsurprising here in IL, but unreal, well, nearly so I guess.

How on earth is he not a pariah? Unfathomable that anyone considers it acceptable to do anything but shun Smith.

Is it so wrong to demand more?

Comment by Shemp Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 12:51 pm
GG

What are you talking about? I’m from Austin and grew up under the same conditions Smith faced. I know though that taking a $7,000 bribe is not only wrong legally but also because it’s a disappointment to the community if something like this happens.

There are many ethically dubious ways to get very wealthy in politics. Just holding out your hand and asking for a bag with a dollar sign on it is beyond that.

You probably mean to be a champion to the poor wretched residents of Austin but you’re not doing us any favors.

Comment by Hammer Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 2:56 pm
I think he was entrapped to go after bigger, smarter fish.. Like the big 8 pound small mouth !!

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 3:10 pm
State Rep. John C. D’Amico has a full time no-show job at the Chicago Water Department. How is smith any different D’Amico? Some guys take a check for no work and benefits, and some take some cash. Same deal. Just some diapers are neater than others.

Comment by Patrick McDonough Wednesday, Apr 18, 12 @ 5:03 pm