Durbin Receives The Paul H. Douglas Award For Ethics In Government From University Of Illinois Institute Of Government & Public Affairs

April 30, 2026 Durbin Receives The Paul H. Douglas Award For Ethics In Government From University Of Illinois Institute Of Government & Public Affairs WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) was presented with the 2026 Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government by University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen. Nominations are nonpartisan and include elected or career government officials at any level of government and private citizens who significantly contribute to the practice and understanding of ethical behavior and fair play in government. The U of I System’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs presents the award annually. During his remarks, Durbin honored the life of Senator Douglas and shared how he set a new standard for ethical governance. Senator Douglas refused to accept what were the Senate conventions of the time, and many parts of today’s Senate Code of Ethics stem from the habits Senator Douglas practiced and the standards he fought to enact. Durbin got his start in politics working as an intern for Senator Douglas in 1966. Key Quotes: “Unlike Senator Douglas, I never served in the Marines , but I have served in a position he found similarly daunting—the United States Senate. Douglas joked, ‘In the Pacific… the Japanese were after my body. Here in the Senate, people are after my soul.’” “Senators are faced with more temptations in a year than most people experience in a lifetime. Even those with the best intentions can be led astray. But there are those who rise above. People who, when faced with the choice of character or comfort, choose character every time. Senator Paul Douglas was one of those extraordinary public servants.” “During his time in the Senate, Douglas set a new standard for ethical governance, and he refused to accept what were the Senate conventions of the time—gifts with the expectation of favors, patronage for donors, [and] lavish travel at the expense of taxpayers. The standards which he held himself to inspired generations of public servants—I am one of them.” “Many parts of today’s Senate Code of Ethics stem from his own personal practice. Senator Douglas disclosed his income and net worth every year that he served in public life. You can find those disclosures in the Congressional Record. This practice was carried on by his protégé Paul Simon and by Senator Simon’s employees, including me.” “Douglas never wavered in his commitment to ethics, to Illinois. He was a force for good and trust in government.” “He warned more than six decades ago that campaign costs were getting out of hand. He couldn’t imagine what’s happening today. Citizens United led to the rise of Super PACs that can accept unlimited contributions from the wealthy. To run for office used to be within the grasp of mere mortals, but now it is in a different category all together.” “I believe the status quo cannot continue. To restore trust in our government, we must change the Citizens United ruling and others like it.” “When faced with the rampant corruption of this Administration, it is easy to lose sight of the truth. As the President uses his office to enrich his family—and to target his enemies—one can fall prey to cynicism about not just the President, but everybody in government. Time and experience tell me that this Administration is the exception, not the rule.” “I’ve met thousands of public servants during my time in office—Democrats and Republicans. They are some of the most decent, hardworking, and honest people I’ve ever known. The vast majority are there for the right reason. Senator Douglas shared my faith in that basic principle. His life, and the past recipients of this award, make [this truth] evident and demonstrate the vision of government that we all seek.” “May we use today as an opportunity to reflect on how to honor Senator Douglas’ legacy through our actions and choices. And may we all live aspiring to the same level of honesty and integrity that Senator Douglas lived his.” Photos of the ceremony are available here . Video of the ceremony is available here . The more than two dozen past recipients include former President Barack Obama; Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and John Paul Stevens; Sens. Paul Simon, Richard Lugar, John McCain and Barbara Mikulski; Rep. John Lewis; Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch; and former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney. Sen. Paul H. Douglas represented Illinois from 1949 to 1967. Douglas was an economist and enjoyed a distinguished academic career. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II and was the oldest recruit in the history of Parris Island at age 50. In the Senate, Douglas was a forceful champion of civil rights, social welfare programs, public housing, extension of Social Security, federal aid to education, the environment and labor unions. -30- Print Email Share Tweet