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* Don’t wanna beeya…

Former Illinois state Rep. Derrick Smith, of Chicago, has been ordered by a federal judge to report to prison on Friday.

The judge denied Smith’s attorneys’ attempts to keep the ex-lawmaker out of prison while they appeal his five-month sentence for his conviction on attempted extortion and bribery charges. Judges can allow a convicted person to remain out of jail if it appears that a higher court might accept their appeal and overturn the conviction, but U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman indicated that will probably not happen for Smith.

The ex-lawmaker was convicted in June of 2014 for accepting a $7,000 cash bribe in exchange for writing a letter of support for a day care center seeking a state grant. During his trial, prosecutors played secret recordings of Smith allegedly accepting 70 $100 bills in exchange for the recommendation in what was ultimately an FBI sting.

* Also, some folks on the county central committee might want to keep in mind who was responsible for sending Smith to the House. The Illinois House, not the big house..

A Democratic Party committee is set to meet Wednesday to discuss rescinding the party’s endorsement of Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown, with Ald. Michelle Harris (8th) and Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) being floated as potential replacements on the March primary ballot. […]

Burnett said he’s interested but wants to see what the party leaders decide.

“My mentor is asking me to take a look at it,” Burnett said. “I will say a lot of my supporters have been pushing me . . . I may if the party asks me. I’ll consider it.”

Emphasis added in case you weren’t clear.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:31 pm

Comments

I hope Smith got a lot of mileage out of that 7 grand. He’s certainly paying for his stupidity now.

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:42 pm
At least Smith will be kept warm for the Chicago Winter.

Comment by John Parnell Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:49 pm
I, for one, sleep better at night knowing that the federales invested an enormous amount of time and money entrapping a nonviolent moronic nobody.

Now, excuse me. On my way home, I’m going to score a couple of guns and some smack around Columbus Park. Where old men golf and children play.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:51 pm
His “college” must be on the Quarter system…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:53 pm
Why would Harris or Burnett take the demotion?

Comment by SAP Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:56 pm
My guess is that Burnett is checking to see if he can be both Alderman and Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 4:03 pm
Word, your schtick on this subject is tiresome. Nonviolent yes. Entrapped no. What are the fed’s suppossed to do, ignore the fact he took $7 grand?

Jessie Jr and the Mrs and BBB and Blago for that matter were all non violent

Comment by Leave a Light on George Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 4:14 pm
They should have given him 5 years of house arrest.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 4:28 pm
The best and most generous pension plans are those belonging to Chicago Alderman. After just two complete terms “8″ years they can retire with a full pension. City employees have to work 33 years to get the full pension. So Walter Burnette can retire from his city gig and start recieving his city pension. As The Clerk of the Circuit Court he would draw a cook county salary and begin working on a second pension. I’m sure he would hire his wife to run the office.

Comment by Double Dip Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 5:14 pm
Leave a Light, you forgot your namesake lol.

I’m with Word here. I cringe a bit every time the new top G-Man comes to town and brags about his record locking up dirty politicians. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, especially in Chicago, but it would be nice to have one guy come in who bagged Mobsters or murderers. It probably makes J. Edgar Hoover’s dress blow up in his grave.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 5:24 pm
Walter Burnett, the convicted bank robber, wants to be the circuit clerk? That’s rich.

Comment by downstater Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 3:08 pm