Hotline On Call

Amid the news that Illinois state Sen. Donne Trotter may bring a lawyer to Saturday's Democratic slating session for the special House election, a few of his opponents hit him on his recent arrest for attempting to bring a gun through airport security.

State Sen. Toi Hutchinson was first to weigh in on the incident. “You don’t want to see anything like that happening to a colleague. I believe it was an accident. I really do,” said Hutchinson. “But at the same time, we’ve had three congressmen in a row leave with issues with scandals and legal issues and I think people are ready to turn the page."

Chicago Alderman Anthony Beale, another candidate in the special election for former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s seat, added his two cents a few days later.

"I think right now, the way this race is panning out, we don't need anyone with a cloud hanging over them and putting that same cloud over this race and the 2nd Congressional District," said Beale. "We need to make sure this race stays focused on the issues and not get sidetracked by people's problems that they are dealing with."

Trotter looks best positioned heading into the slating session, though it's also possible no candidate will garner enough support.