Michael Madigan Backs State Rep He Once Had Expelled From Illinois House

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 13, 2014 9:45PM

State Rep. Derrick Smith (left) and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan

Politics makes for strange bedfellows, especially in Illinois. Take the case of indicted state Rep. Derrick Smith who is receiving substantial backing in his primary campaign from Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. That’s the same Michael Madigan who called a special session of the Illinois House in August 2012 to expel Smith.

Smith was indicted in March 2012 for accepting a $7,000 bribe from an undercover FBI informant in exchange for allegedly helping a day care center owner obtain a state grant. Smith refused to resign from his seat which led Illinois Democrats to back a third party candidate whom Smith defeated easily to win back his seat. Since then he’s kept a low profile and Madigan, who funneled more than $60,000 to Smith’s political campaign before the indictment, is using his clout to back incumbents in next week’s primary. Smith is no exception.

The Sun-Times reports Smith has received more than $46,000 to Smith’s campaign since Jan. 1. Madigan spokesman Steve Brown told the Tribune last month Smith is “innocent until proven guilty” and told the Sun-Times “he’s an incumbent, and we’re supporting incumbents.”

Smith is set to stand trial on his bribery charges May 28.