Brady wants more federal prosecution of gun crimes

State Sen. Bill Brady wants federal authorities in northern Illinois to more “aggressively pursue” prosecution of firearms offenses.

The Bloomington Republican, who’s mulling a gubernatorial run, says he’ll file a resolution in the state Senate next week calling on both U.S. Illinois senators to consider that when making their recommendations for the next U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

Sens. Mark Kirk and Dick Durbin make recommendations to President Barack Obama, who’ll name former U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s replacement.

Brady called on Kirk and Durbin Monday to make sure they get a commitment from the new U.S. attorney to focus on prosecution of violent gun crime.

Brady narrowly lost to Gov. Pat Quinn in 2010. Brady says he’s considering a 2014 run but won’t announce formally until June.