U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)

Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Springfield, is the 47th U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois, the state’s senior senator, and the convener of Illinois’ bipartisan congressional delegation. Durbin also serves as the Senate Majority Whip, the second highest ranking position among the Senate Democrats. Senator Durbin has been elected to this leadership post by his Democratic colleagues every two years since 2005. Durbin serves as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sits on the Appropriations and Agriculture Committees. 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 makes approximately 50 round trips a year between Washington and Illinois. He is married to Loretta Schaefer Durbin. Their family consists of three children--Christine (deceased), Paul, and Jennifer--as well as six grandchildren. They reside in Springfield.

Recent News About U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) hosts a luncheon for the Illinois Congressional Delegation.
Government

Durbin hosts Illinois Congressional Delegation luncheon

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) hosted a luncheon on Thursday for members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation of the 114th Congress. In addition to Durbin, the luncheon was attended by U.S. Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Danny Davis (D-IL), Bob Dold (R-IL) and Bill Foster (D-IL).

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Government

Durbin wants Illinois' needs part of passenger rail bill

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) called on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Wednesday to include several high-priority Illinois items in its Passenger Rail Reauthorization legislation. Several noteworthy concerns also were raised by Durbin regarding similar legislation passed by the House earlier this year that would significantly impact the state's passenger rail system.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Government

Durbin, 6 other U.S. senators call for full funding of food-safety law

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and six other senators sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee, requesting that it fully fund the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) food-safety provisions mandated in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Since the bill was signed into law in 2011, the FSMA has been funded with less than half of what is needed for full implementation.

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL)
Government

Quigley, Durbin urge Supreme Court to allow live audio

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote a letter to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday, also signed by other lawmakers, urging the court to permit live audio in the chamber. The effort comes ahead of immiment, historic rulings on same-sex marriage and the Affordable Care Act.