US Sen. Durbin Preparing Run for Fourth Term

Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is running for a fourth term.

The number two Democrat told Illinois Public Radio on Thursday that he has been preparing for the upcoming race, but is still waiting to make a formal announcement.

"I like this job," he said from his Capitol Hill office. "I'm honored to represent Illinois, and I'm doing some of the most important work of my life."

Durbin was recently part of the bipartisan group of eight senators who worked on immigration reform. He's also been involved in the gun control debates -- co-sponsoring a bill on gun trafficking restrictions. Before his time in the Senate, Durbin was a member of the House of Representatives from 1983 to 1997.

The Democrat says he's eventually planning on making a formal announcement about his candidacy, but until then, he'll be busy planning, raising money and putting together the campaign.

If elected in 2014, Durbin would be one of the longest-serving members of the Illinois delegation in history.