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U.S. Government: Elected Officials · U.S. Senate

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.)

Sen. Durbin meets with Illinois Corn Growers and Illinois Soybean Association.
Government

Sen. Durbin meets with Illinois Corn Growers and Illinois Soybean Association

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) recently met with Illinois Corn Growers and the Illinois Soybean Association to discuss the impact of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) delay in setting production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014, additional opportunities for Illinois farmers associated with opening trade with Cuba and other agricultural matters.

Durbin co-sponsors Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act
Government

Durbin co-sponsors Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act

U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced the Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act late last week. The legislation seeks to enhance programs that assist states and local communities in suicide prevention, help children recover from traumatic events, provide mental-health awareness for teachers and other individuals, and assess barriers to integrating behavioral health and primary care.

Durbin: Federal nonviolent-drug-crime sentencing needs reform
Government

Durbin: Federal nonviolent-drug-crime sentencing needs reform

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) stressed the need on Monday to reform federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws for nonviolent drug offenses. Durbin also discussed the Smarter Sentencing Act, a bipartisan bill he introduced earlier this year, which would modernize federal drug sentencing laws by giving federal judges more discretion in sentencing defendants convicted of nonviolent drug offenses.

Sen. Durbin, Rep. Schakowsky announce Levee 37 project.
Government

Sen. Durbin, Rep. Schakowsky announce Levee 37 project

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and other local officials have announced that Levee 37 will provide protection for more than 600 existing homes and dozens of business in Mount Prospect and Prospect Heights, with an estimated average annual savings of more than $3 million.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin
Government

FDA response comes after call for powdered caffeine ban by Durbin, fellow senators

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday issued warning letters to five powdered caffeine distributors, requiring them to revise their labels to clarify serving sizes, potency and risks associated with the use of powdered caffeine. The FDA response comes after urgings from members of the U.S. Senate, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), who called for a ban on the sale of powered caffeine.