Durbin has a favored Obama replacement -- but he's not talking

SPRINGFIELD - Dick Durbin isn't saying whom he'd like to have as an Illinois colleague in the U.S. Senate, but made it clear Tuesday he has someone in mind and plans on making a pitch to the governor.

There's soon to be a vacancy in one of the state's U.S. Senate seats as Democrat Barack Obama ascends to the White House. His replacement is in the hands of Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Durbin, a Springfield Democrat, told reporters after a Veteran's Day ceremony at Camp Butler National Cemetery outside Springfield that he has a favorite but declined to name names. He said he wants someone who'll continue Obama's focus and played up downstate connections to the crowd of downstate reporters.

There's been no shortage of people interested in the job with the names of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, state veterans affairs director Tammy Duckworth and outgoing state Senate President Emil Jones Jr. among those being tossed about.

Blagojevich recently said his top aides are collecting resumes for review. But he said the process would not be rushed and it could be weeks before someone is named. A spokesman for the governor said Tuesday there are no new developments.

Durbin said he also hoped for quick action on a new economic stimulus package, but said the last one that sent checks straight to households did not have the desired effect as many people saved or otherwise didn't spend the money.

Durbin said he'd like to see something that spurred jobs such as construction project spending. In the meantime, he said unemployment benefits should be extended to aid those out of work.

And if anyone hopes to get tickets for the Jan. 20 inaugural from Durbin, he's got some bad news.

"There just won't be enough tickets," Durbin said, noting that he got two requests walking off the stage at the Veterans Day ceremony.