Biography

Richard Joseph "Dick" Durbin, born on November 21, 1944, in East St. Louis, Illinois, is a Democratic politician who has served as the senior United States Senator from Illinois since 1997. He is the Senate Majority Whip, the second-highest-ranking position among Senate Democrats, a role he has held since 2005. Durbin also chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and is a member of the Appropriations and Agriculture Committees. Throughout his tenure, he has been a staunch advocate for issues such as immigration reform, healthcare access, and criminal justice reform. In April 2025, Durbin announced he would not seek reelection in 2026, concluding over four decades of public service.

Education and Political Experience

• Education:

  • Bachelor of Science from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University
  • Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center

• Political Experience:

  • Legal counsel to Lieutenant Governor Paul Simon
  • Legal counsel to the Illinois State Senate Judiciary Committee
  • U.S. Representative for Illinois's 20th congressional district
  • U.S. Senator from Illinois
  • Senate Majority Whip
  • Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee

Notable Achievements

• Legislation:

  • Introduced the DREAM Act, aiming to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
  • Played a key role in the passage of the First Step Act, focusing on criminal justice reform.
  • Advocated for the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, granting the FDA authority over tobacco products.

• Committee Leadership:

  • As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led the confirmation processes for Supreme Court Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Amy Coney Barrett.

• Public Health Advocacy:

  • Instrumental in initiating the movement to ban indoor smoking, leading to legislation prohibiting smoking on commercial flights.

Durbin's extensive career reflects his commitment to public service and his influence on national policy across various domains.