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Case Against Sen. Donne Trotter Moves Forward

By Erin Meyer | January 17, 2013 10:57am | Updated on January 17, 2013 1:16pm
 Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) appeared in court Thursday, where a judge ruled that prosecutors can move forward with their case against him.
Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) appeared in court Thursday, where a judge ruled that prosecutors can move forward with their case against him.
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DNAinfo/Erin Meyer

BELMONT CRAGIN — The case against state Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago), who allegedly was caught with a gun in his carry-on luggage at O'Hare Airport in December, will go forward, a judge ruled Thursday.

Cook County Circuit Judge Ann O'Donnell ruled that there was probable cause in the case against Trotter, who was charged with felony attempt to board an aircraft with a weapon.

Trotter's attorney Thomas Dirkin said he was not surprised that O'Donnell ruled the way she did, claiming that the standard for proof is "low" at a probable cause hearing.

Dirkin said he believes his client did not have knowledge that the weapon was in the bag, and said he is confident Trotter will not be found guilty of the crime.

Trotter has a permit to carry a handgun while working as a security guard for Allpoints Security and Detective Inc. and traveling to and from his job. Trotter had a valid firearm owner's identification card that listed his address as his Senate office at the state Capitol Building rather than his South Shore home, sources said.

DNAinfo.com Chicago was first to report that law enforcement sources said the investigation will likely look into whether Trotter, who makes nearly $90,000 a year as senator, really moonlights as a security guard.

A separate state probe has been launched to determine if the Southeast Side security firm has acted as a “front” to procure firearm control cards for people who are not employed as armed guards, according to a source close to the investigation.

Trotter dropped out of the race to replace U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) after Jackson gave up his 2nd Congressional District seat last month, citing health reasons.