Chris Kennedy

Chicago businessman Chris Kennedy , a son of the late New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, appears likely to launch a 2010 Senate bid in Illinois.

This candidacy would make him the latest in the famed family’s “second generation” to enter the political fray.  

It also would lengthen the list of Democrats who are either certain to run or are thinking about running in the February primary for the seat held by interim Democratic Sen. Roland W. Burris , whose appointment to the seat Barack Obama vacated to become president has remained controversial and unpopular.  

The Chicago Sun-Times has reported that Kennedy could announce his plans this week.