SPRINGFIELD - Wanted: Someone to serve two years in the U.S. Senate.

Requirements: Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least nine years and an Illinois resident.

With Illinois' junior senator making tracks to the White House, Gov. Rod Blagojevich outlined Wednesday how he'll fill Barack Obama's soon-to-be-vacant seat.

Under state and federal law, Blagojevich can pick virtually anyone, and at a news conference in Chicago, Blagojevich said he will tap his top advisers to help him find a successor.

He didn't offer a timeline, but it is widely expected that a replacement will be named before the Senate reconvenes Jan. 3. Obama will be inaugurated president on Jan. 20.

"Because it's important that the best person for Illinois is selected, I want to be clear that the calendar won't dictate our search," the governor said in a prepared statement.

Although the governor described the appointment process as wide open, a short list of contenders has been circulating for weeks.

Among those who could be considered are U.S. Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr., Danny Davis and Jan Schakowsky, all Chicago-area lawmakers. Others include Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, retiring Senate President Emil Jones, Comptroller Dan Hynes and Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Blagojevich also could appoint himself, but he's said he's not interested in the job.

In describing what type of person he's looking for, Blagojevich said the state's new senator should support not only Obama's policies, but his own administration's goals of boosting state-funded health insurance programs and getting a statewide construction program in place.

"Last night's victory was bittersweet for Illinois: As we gain a great president, we lose a great senator, and it goes without saying that our next senator has big shoes to fill," Blagojevich said.

kurt.erickson@lee.net|789-0865