CHICAGO – An Illinois state senator charged with trying to board a flight with a gun and ammunition in a carry-on bag posted bond and left court Thursday without a word about the charges or whether it would affect his decision to run for Jesse Jackson Jr.’s vacant congressional seat.

The 62-year-old Trotter – wearing the same clothes he had on when he was arrested the morning before at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport – stopped to address reporters after his release, but apparently changed his mind when he was asked about the case.

“Not now, not today,” said Trotter, a couple of hours after he had appeared in court and a judge set his bond at $25,000.