Illinois State Senator Tried To Board Plane With Unloaded Gun
By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 6, 2012 3:00PM
Illinois State Sen. Donne Trotter. (Chicago Police Department photo)
Trotter, who works as a security guard when he isn’t handling his legislative duties in Springfield, was caught with the gun during an X-ray scan at Checkpoint 2 of Terminal 1 around 8 a.m. and said he didn’t realize it was in the bag when he packed it. Trotter has a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card registered to his office in Springfield and a permit to work as a security guard with the Illinois Department of Financial and Profession Regulation.
What makes this incident particularly troubling for Trotter is he’s considered to be one of the favorites in the growing field to succeed former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who resigned his congressional seat two weeks ago. Trotter announced his candidacy last week and is well-respected among Illinois Democratic power brokers. Those politicians haven’t backed away from Trotter … yet. Cook County Democratic Party chairman and County Assessor Joe Berrios told the Sun-Times “all I know, is he is a state senator, and a very good one.” Frank Zuccarelli, who is chairing the effort to slate a candidate for Jackson’s vacated seat, said “I'm sure there is a good explanation for what happened.”
Trotter’s arrest carries a tinge of irony, as well. Trotter voted “no” on a 1995 measure to allow concealed carry of firearms in Illinois. The legislation proposed by State Sen. Kirk Dillard failed by a 29-28 vote. Two years later he voted “present” on a bill that would have lessened the penalties for being caught with a concealed weapon in Illinois.
Trotter becomes the third Illinois politician to face felony charges this year. State Rep. Derrick Smith was indicted in March on bribery charges, expelled from the Illinois House, and re-elected. Rep. LaShawn Ford was indicted last week on federal bank fraud charges.