Sources: Kirk's Running for Senate in 2010
Chips start to fall as AG announces run for re-election
AP / Daniel White
U.S. Rep Mark Kirk, left, celebrates his re-election as a U.S. Congressman with his wife Kimberly Vertolli-Kirk at the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel on Tuesday Nov. 4, 2008.
U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) is said to be calling supporters on Wednesday, telling them that he will be running for the United States Senate in 2010.
His move comes as Attorney General Lisa Madigan announces that she'd like to keep her current title and foregos runs for the Senate or for the governor's office.
The U.S. Senate seat is currently held by Sen. Roland Burris, who was appointed by ousted governor Rod Blagojevich after Barack Obama was elected President.
Kirk, who represents Illinois' 10th District, which includes Chicago's North Shore suburbs, was first elected in 2001 and is the first prominent Republican to announce a run for Obama's former seat.
Burris has indicated that he may run for re-election, but other Democrats are also eyeing it, including Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who has announced an exploratory committee, and Christopher Kennedy, the son of the late Robert F. Kennedy.
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