Illinois Rep. Derrick Smith convicted of bribery

CHICAGO (AP) — A federal jury convicted Illinois state Rep. Derrick Smith of bribery and attempted extortion Tuesday for taking $7,000 from a purported day care operator seeking a state grant.

In a weeklong trial, prosecutors played secret recordings of the 50-year-old Chicago Democrat accepting 70 $100 bills — which he referred to as “cheddar” on tape — in exchange for a letter supporting a $50,000 state grant. The day care turned out to be fictitious and part of an FBI sting.