CHICAGO — Republican Congressman Mark Kirk is running for the U.S. Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama.

Kirk says Illinois has become a laughingstock since Democrat Roland Burris was appointed to the Senate seat by former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who’s accused of trying to sell that seat.

During an interview on Chicago’s WLS Radio on Monday, Kirk said he’s announcing his candidacy and hopes to “restore ethics and integrity to Illinois government.” Kirk says Burris hasn’t been able to be effective in Washington because of the controversy over his appointment and it’s time to change that.

Burris has decided not to seek a full term.

Kirk is in his fifth term representing Illinois’ 10th Congressional District, which stretches north of Chicago to almost Wisconsin and borders Lake Michigan.

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