State Sen. Donne Trotter was arrested Wednesday and charged with taking a firearm onto an airplane at O'Hare Airport, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's office.

A candidate to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. as the United States Representative for the 2nd District, Trotter said he had been at a job with a security firm the previous night and forgot he still had the weapon and ammunition in his bag.

Joe Berrios, the head of the Cook County Democratic Party, left it up to Trotter to decide his fate.

“It’s not for me to determine whether he wants to run or not,” Berrios told Sun-Times Media. “The committeemen will take that into consideration. If it is a felony, he would have to stand trial. At the end of the day, it’s going to be his decision. All I know, is he is a state senator, and a very good one.”

Frank Zuccarelli, the committeeman for Thornton Township, is still backing Trotter, according to Sun-Times Media. 

“I am supporting him and he is my friend, I’m sure there is a good explanation for what happened,” said Zuccarelli. He said he had only communicated with Trotter by text. Trotter let him know he had been arrested. “We have to sit down and talk…I’m sure he’s together, Donne’s together. I’ve got confidence in him, he’s a good man.”

The primary election will be held on Feb. 26, with a general election on April 9.

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