The U.S. Senate Tuesday confirmed James Lewis to be the U.S. attorney for the 46-county Central District of Illinois.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who recommended his fellow Springfield resident for the job, said Lewis brings “a strong background in the law” to the position, having served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the district since 1983.

“I was honored to recommend his name to President Obama and am confident that he will bring a strong work ethic, independence, and depth of knowledge to the position of U.S. attorney,” Durbin said.

Lewis said in a statement he is grateful to Durbin and all others who supported his nomination.

The U.S. attorney for the Central District of Illinois is responsible for prosecution of federal crimes committed in any of the district’s 46 counties. The office has headquarters in Springfield with branch offices in Urbana, Peoria, and Rock Island.

The Lewis confirmation was one of several approved as a package by voice vote of the Senate.