Bond was set at $25,000 for Illinois Sen. Donne Trotter, charged with trying to board a plane Wednesday with a handgun.
An exhausted looking Trotter showed up to court Thursday with his jacket rumpled and without his trademark bowtie. His wife and son were there as well.
Trotter was charged with a felony after he allegedly trying to go through security with a .25 caliber pistol and bullets, authorities said. He spent the night in the Cook County Jail.
"We've had a long day; a long two days. We're looking forward to getting home with family and we're going to let this play out. No comment about the facts right now," said Trotter's attorney, Joshua Herman.
A judge said the gun spotted in Trotter's bag at an O'Hare International Airport security checkpoint was not registered in Chicago. He must also surrender any other weapons.
Trotter, who has been a state lawmaker for 24 years and who voted against conceal-carry legislation, left the Cook County Criminal Courts Building at 26th and California after posting 10 percent of the $25,000 bond.
Despite repeated questions from reporters, he declined to comment.
Trotter last week announced his intention to run in the race to replace former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. in the 2nd District.
Will his arrest derail those plans? Is he still running?
"From you," he said as he got into an awaiting car.
The police report filed after his arrest states Trotter told authorities he'd forgotten the weapon was in the garment bag he uses for his work with the All Points Security firm. He told police he worked late Tuesday night and did not realize the weapon was in the bag when he packed for his Wednesday morning flight, according to the report.
Trotter's next court date is Dec. 12.
