By the time the next issue of Chicago Journal comes out, the 2012 election will be on the books.

That’s a bit strange to think about, given the way it’s seemingly dominated the national and local conversations for more than a year now.

Let’s be honest — your vote for president doesn’t really matter. Barack Obama has Illinois locked up like Guantanamo Bay. The election will be decided in some other state, whether it be Ohio, Florida or Virginia.

But your vote still very much matters in Chicago, especially if you’re in the 10th District of the Illinois House.

Here’s something that should scare you more than an awful Halloween slasher: Derrick Smith is STILL LEADING THE RACE.

Yes, this is the same Derrick Smith that was arrested for allegedly accepting a $7,000 bribe. The same Derrick Smith that was expelled from the Illinois House. The same Derrick Smith that, every time he is directly asked, simply won’t answer the question — even when he’s not under oath! — “did you take the money.”

Derrick Smith is still leading in the polls against his third-party opponent, Lance Tyson. This is according to Tyson’s own polling data, according to an Associated Press story from this week, where he’s only getting 38 percent. A poll done by Rich Miller’s Capitol Fax in mid-September was far more dire, with Tyson only polling at 9 percent.

Here’s the thing: If knuckleheaded voters put Smith back into office, the Illinois House can’t expel him again for the same reason. That means we’re stuck with an accused crook, at least until he’s officially convicted and jailed. That’s unacceptable.

So if you live anywhere near the Near West Side, get out on Election Day. Or better yet, vote early. Take a few friends to the polls. And shout it from the top of the mountain:

Anyone but Derrick Smith.

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By horhay from Pilsen
Posted: 11/10/2012 8:37 AM

Derrik Smith organized a shakedown of the construction crew building the new Marianos Grocery ( much needed business) on the west side. Marianos halted construction until they could PAY FOR SECURITY. Never do business, never invest in the south and west sides.

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By horhay from Pilsen
Posted: 11/10/2012 8:37 AM

Derrik Smith organized a shakedown of the construction crew building the new Marianos Grocery ( much needed business) on the west side. Marianos halted construction until they could PAY FOR SECURITY. Never do business, never invest in the south and west sides.

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By near wester from near west side
Posted: 11/06/2012 1:56 PM

There is no REAL candidate in the district. Lance Tyson lives outside the district and was on Todd Stroger's staff. Smith has been indicted, not convicted and thrown out of the house. I would love to vote against Derrick Smith, but I don't want to vote for Lance Tyson. The west side has to do better than theses candidates. I think I am going to skip that block or vote for any Republican running against them. Maybe I'll write in my pet's name. He would be least likely to be corrupt.

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By Aviva Patt from Noble Square
Posted: 11/01/2012 9:41 PM

Makes one wonder why the House voted him out before the election rather than after. Were they really trying to do the right thing or were they setting it up so he could take his seat again after the election?