Senators want to honor crime fighter Eliot Ness

WASHINGTON — Illinois' two U.S. senators are part of an effort to honor Eliot Ness, the federal agent whose unit brought down Chicago mobster Al Capone.

Democrat Dick Durbin and Republican Mark Kirk joined Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio in introducing a resolution Friday to remember Ness.

The measure would name the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Eliot Ness ATF Building.

Ness was an agent with the federal Prohibition Bureau and headed a special unit dubbed "The Untouchables," whose members had a reputation for resisting bribes. He died in 1957.

Durbin said in a statement that "no amount of money could buy their loyalty or sway their dedication" to Chicago's safety.

Kirk said that in honoring Ness "we reaffirm our commitment to safe streets."