Burris considering mayoral run

CHICAGO, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Outgoing U.S. Sen. Roland Burris is deciding whether he'll make a run to be Chicago's mayor once his stint in Washington ends, supporters say.

Backers of the Illinois Democrat submitted nominating papers to Chicago's Board of Election Commissioners in time for Monday's deadline even though Burris hasn't indicated whether he will run, Roll Call reported Tuesday.

If he tosses his hat into the ring, Burris will join a crowded field of Democratic contenders vying to succeed Mayor Richard Daley, who announced in September he won't seek a seventh term. Among the candidates are former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Rep. Danny Davis, former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and state Sen. James Meeks.

The mayoral election will be Feb. 22 with a runoff, if necessary, in April.

Impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed Burris to fill the unexpired term of then-Sen. Barack Obama after Obama was elected president. Rep. Mark Kirk, a Republican, won the special election to finish Obama's unexpired term and the general election for a full term. Kirk will be sworn in Monday.