Democrats may run independent candidate against indicted Smith - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

FOX Chicago News has learned Democrats are cooking up a scheme to get rid of one of their own-- indicted State Rep. Derrick Smith.

Smith was indicted two months ago on federal corruption charges. His fellow Democrats have pleaded with him to step down so they can slate another democrat to run in November, but so far Smith is insisting he's in the race to stay.

FOX Chicago has learned some Democratic committeemen representing Smith's West Side district plan to meet on Friday to talk about picking a new candidate, who would run against Smith as an independent.

The committeemen would then throw their political muscle and money behind that independent-- and against their own party's candidate. The message to Smith: if you won't get out, we'll run someone against you.

And to avoid picking another potential problem, they're requiring all candidates undergo a background check, turn over three years of tax returns and write an essay on why he or she wants to be a state rep.

That could be a first.

Not all the committeemen are on board with this plan.

Some want to see Smith get his due process in court before making a decision.