Quinn takes lawmakers to task on pension reform during budget address

By   /  March 6, 2013  /  Featured, IL House, IL Senate, Illinois  /  No Comments

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Pat Quinn presented a budget Wednesday that he called “balanced, honest and difficult.”

But before he even finished his speech Wednesday, lawmakers were questioning whether it’s balanced or honest.

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IL: Smith challenger still has time to gain ground in 10th District race

By   /  September 19, 2012  /  IL House, Illinois, News, Politics & Elections  /  No Comments

A new poll shows indicted state Rep. Derrick Smith, who was expelled from the Illinois House on Aug. 17, has a strong lead over challenger Lance Tyson. One political observer says Tyson can make up ground by the November election, though.

By Jayette Bolinski | Illinois Watchdog
CHICAGO – Thought last month’s expulsion vote was the last time indicted state Rep. Derrick Smith would have a key to the Illinois House? Think again.
A new poll this week suggests Smith, a Chicago Democrat accused of taking a $7,000 bribe, may find himself back in his seat come January, [...]

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Video: Illinois lawmaker expelled

By   /  August 17, 2012  /  2012 General Election, IL House, Illinois, Media, Video  /  No Comments

The Illinois House has expelled State Rep. Derrick Smith, who was indicted for allegedly taking a bribe. Smith is the first Illinois lawmaker in 150 years to be expelled from the House. But he is not the first Illinois lawmaker to face corruption charges.

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IL: House ousts indicted colleague; he vows to stay on November ballot

By   /  August 17, 2012  /  Ethics, Featured, IL House, Illinois, News, Politics & Elections  /  No Comments

Members of the Illinois House of Representatives voted 100-6 to expel indicted Rep. Derrick Smith, who is accused of accepting a $7,000 bribe in connection with his job as a state lawmaker, Friday, Aug. 17, 2012.

By Jayette Bolinski | Illinois Watchdog
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House lawmakers on Friday kicked out indicted Rep. Derrick Smith, who faces a federal bribery charge for allegedly accepting a $7,000 bribe in connection with his job as legislator.
The vote – 100 in favor of expulsion and six against it – resulted in Smith immediately being removed [...]

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Video: Illinois’ top Democrat doubts pension reform comes this week

By   /  August 15, 2012  /  IL House, Illinois, Illinois Budget, Issues, Media, Pensions, Video  /  2 Comments

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is not hopeful that a pension reform package will pass the Illinois General Assembly this summer, despite an $84 billion gap in funding.

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