A federal judge won't postpone an Illinois lawmaker's bribery
trial so he can finish out the legislative session in Springfield.
Rep. Derrick Smith is a Chicago Democrat who's charged with accepting a $7,0
bribe. He is scheduled to go to trial May 28, but the Legislature isn't
scheduled to adjourn until May 31.
U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman says Wednesday that says Smith's
defense knew for months about the legislative session _ and only objected now.
Smith had hoped to postpone the trial until June 2, arguing there were
``significant'' pieces of legislation to be voted on between May 28 and 31.
House Speaker Michael Madigan says Smith supports making Illinois' temporary
income tax hike permanent, a measure that's still short of votes needed for
approval.
