CHICAGO >> Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth says she’s considering challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk in 2016.

Duckworth told The Chicago Tribune she’s been talking with her husband and close advisers about a possible U.S. Senate bid. She says she still needs to have discussions with others, including the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Duckworth says: “I think it’s pretty clear that people are looking for a change and I’m going to explore the possibility.”

The 46-year-old from Hoffman Estates is an Iraq War veteran who just won her second term in office. She’s on maternity leave until Feb. 16, after giving birth to her first child in November.

Kirk is a retired Navy Reserve commander who served in the U.S. House before winning a Senate seat in 2010.