A federal judge has issued an arrest warrant effective at midnight for a former U.S. congressman from Illinois who says he is staying in South Africa with his ill daughter.
Former U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds is free on bond in a federal tax case.
The Chicago Tribune reports U.S. District Judge John Darrah ordered the warrant issued Thursday.
Earlier Thursday, Reynolds told the judge in an open letter that he's staying abroad to care for his daughter in the African nation because she is suffering from scoliosis and may also have cervical cancer.
Darrah on Wednesday refused a request by Reynolds to stay abroad longer. Reynolds' trial is set for May 2.
The Illinois Democrat has pleaded not guilty on a misdemeanor charge of failing to file income tax returns.
