A candidate for former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s congressional seat was charged Wednesday with trying to board a plane out of Chicago with a handgun.
Illinois Sen. Donne Trotter, who announced his run for the 2nd District seat last week, was arrested for trying to go through a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport with a .25 caliber pistol and bullets, authorities said.
Trotter was charged with a felony attempt to board an aircraft with a weapon and remains in custody, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's office. Trotter was flying out of O'Hare on his way to Washington, D.C.
Chicago Police News Affairs said officers responded to the weapons violation at the airport at 7 a.m.
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. It says 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.
Trotter is scheduled to appear in bond court Thursday morning.
