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Judge Agrees To Move Ex-Illinois Legislator's Sentencing

Updated: 10:54 a.m. 3/16/15

CHICAGO (AP) -- A judge in Keith Farnham's child pornography case is taking the rare step of moving the ex-Illinois lawmaker's sentencing from Chicago's federal courthouse to a venue closer to the Democrat's suburban home.

Judge Edmond Chang agreed at a Monday hearing that the former state representative's deteriorating mental and physical health makes it difficult for him to travel from his Elgin home. So he'll be sentenced in a state courthouse two miles from his residence.

The 67-year-old faces between five and 20 years in prison for transporting child pornography. Some images were of 6-month-old children.

The defense says lung disease is likely to kill Farnham within four months. But Chang wouldn't rule on a request to let Farnham stay under house arrest after sentencing. He says he'll decide that issue Thursday.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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