With the fall of Dan Rostenkowski, the line of Democrats ready to challenge for Mike Flanagan's seat in the U.S. House continues to grow. Is there a spot for Ray Romero? He's general counsel and vice president with Ameritech International and is forming a committee to explore the possibility. Romero, a 41-year-old lawyer, is a relatively fresh face. A former Illinois Commerce Commission member, Romero helped found the Mexican-American Legal Defense & Education Fund. On Thursday, he'll be at that group's event in the Chicago Hilton & Towers to introduce the featured speaker, U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Pena.

Party time: Flanagan, a guest Monday at a CityPAC funder, ran into Dems already mentioned as possible challengers to his seat-Nancy Kaszak, John Cullerton and Rod Blagojevich. Flanagan, who said he's having breakfast Wednesday with Mayor Richard Daley, told us, "I'm sure we'll discuss a variety of issues regarding the city."