Durbin Recounts Legislative Accomplishments Over His House & Senate Career

SPRINGFIELD – In avideo messageshared with Illinois voters earlier this week, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) reflected on some of his most meaningful accomplishments as a member of the House of Representatives for seven terms and as a member of the U.S. Senate for five terms.This followed the Senator’s announcement that he will not seek re-election in 2026.
“I’ve given over half of my life to House and Senate Congressional service. I’ve always tried to stand up to power on behalf of the people of Illinois and our country. But none of it would have been possible without my wife, Loretta; our kids, Christine, Paul, and Jennifer; my energetic and amazing grandchildren; as well as my extended family. They stood with me and accepted the demands of my public career,”Durbin said in the video.“I have been blessed to have them, as well as the best Senate staff anyone could ask for.”
Durbin concluded,“But it’s time to pass the torch. And although I won’t seek re-election, I’ll continue to fight every single day for the Illinoisans who gave a kid from East St. Louis a chance to serve.”
Below is a list of some of Durbin’s top legislative accomplishments throughout his career.
Senator Durbin is the 47th U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois, the state’s senior Senator, and the longest serving, popularly elected Senator from Illinois. Durbin also serves as the Senate Democratic Whip, the second highest ranking position among Senate Democrats. Durbin has been elected to this leadership post by his Democratic colleagues every two years since 2005 and is the longest serving Whip for either party.
Senator Durbin served as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee for the 117thand 118thCongresses. During his time as Chair, the committee held 145 full committee hearings, 88 subcommittee hearings, and 86 executive business meetings; advanced 373 executive and judicial nominees out of the committee; and reported 56 bills out of the committee. The Senate also confirmed a record 235 judges, including Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Senator Durbin has given more than half of his life to House and Senate Congressional service, having first been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, representing the Springfield-based 20th congressional district. After serving seven House terms, Durbin was elected to the U.S. Senate on November 5, 1996, and re-elected in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020. Durbin fills the seat left vacant by the retirement of his long-time friend and mentor, U.S. Senator Paul Simon.
Senator Durbin was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, to his father, William Durbin, and his Lithuanian-born mother, Ona (Kutkaite) Durbin. He is married to Loretta Schaefer Durbin. Their family consists of three children—Christine, Paul, and Jennifer—as well as six grandchildren.
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