New Illinois Legislature Includes Three Politicians Facing Charges

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – When a new General Assembly takes the oath of office later in the day, its ranks will include three lawmakers facing criminal charges.

Former state Rep. Derrick Smith heads back to Springfield. The Democrat was arrested on bribery charges and expelled last year, but voters put him back in office.

Sen. Donne Trotter faces gun charges for allegedly bringing a weapon to an airport. And Rep. La Shawn Ford is accused of federal bank fraud charges.

Historians say it’s been decades since so many sitting lawmakers were facing charges.