State Sen. Donne Trotter faces a felony charge for allegedly bringing a gun and ammunition onto a flight in Chicago. (Photo courtesy www.ilga.gov)

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO - A veteran Illinois state senator charged with trying to board a flight with a gun and ammunition in his carry-on bag says he's the right person to fill Jesse Jackson Jr.'s seat in Congress.

State Sen. Donne Trotter appeared in Cook County court for a preliminary hearing yesterday. He didn't enter a plea, and the judge set the next hearing for Jan. 17.

Trotter and his attorney, Tom Durkin, spoke to reporters after the hearing.

Durkin admits the case puts a ``cloud'' over Trotter's campaign. But he says Trotter didn't knowingly carry the gun to O'Hare International Airport and it's a mistake other travelers have made.

The 62-year-old Democrat is charged with a Class 4 felony, which carries a sentence of one to three years in prison if he's convicted.