Ill. Sen. Donne Trotter posts $25K bond on gun charge
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CHICAGO (Associated Press) -
A veteran Illinois state senator charged with trying to board a flight with a gun and ammunition in a carry-on bag is out on bail.
A Cook County judge set bond at $25,000 for state Sen. Donne Trotter, who recently announced he was running for Jesse Jackson's old seat in Congress. Trotter's defense attorney argued for reasonable bail citing Trotter's decades of public service and 26-year marriage.
The Chicago Democrat was released from custody a short time later. He refused to answer reporters' questions before walking away from the courthouse.
Trotter was arrested Wednesday morning at O'Hare International Airport, where a transportation security officer discovered the firearm in a garment bag during an X-ray screening.
The 62-year-old told Transportation Security Administration officers he uses the weapon for work as a security officer.
Trotter told police he forgot it was in his bag. Prosecutors say Trotter has a permit to carry the gun to and from work. Prosecutors also say the gun is registered, but not in Chicago.
Trotter's defense attorney, Joshua Herman, said the Chicago Democrat plans to post bond Thursday. He also said the veteran lawmaker deserved reasonable bond because of his decades of public service.
Harman said at a bond hearing that Trotter has dedicated his life to the people of Illinois. Harman also cited Trotter's 26-year marriage and four children.
Trotter appeared in court wearing the clothes he was arrested in after spending the night in a police lockup.
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