Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dick Durbin

How Dick Durbin built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Dick Durbin is a prominent American politician and the senior U.S. Senator from Illinois, serving since 1997. A Democrat, he has been the Senate Democratic Whip since 2005, holding the record as the longest-serving Democratic whip since 1913. He also served as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2021 to 2025. Notably, Durbin led the Supreme Court nomination hearings for Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1913: Position Established

In 1913, the position of Senate Democratic Whip was established, and Dick Durbin is the longest-serving Democratic whip since then.

1969: Graduated from Georgetown University Law Center

In 1969, Dick Durbin earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and was admitted to the Illinois bar later that year.

1972: Legal Counsel to Illinois State Senate Judiciary Committee

From 1972 to 1982, Dick Durbin was legal counsel to the Illinois State Senate Judiciary Committee.

1976: Unsuccessful Candidate for Illinois State Senate

In 1976, Dick Durbin was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the Illinois State Senate. From 1976 to 1981 he co-owned the Crow's Mill Pub in Springfield's Toronto neighborhood.

1978: Unsuccessful run for Lieutenant Governor

In 1978, Dick Durbin made an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor of Illinois.

1981: Co-ownership of Crow's Mill Pub ended

In 1981, Dick Durbin's co-ownership of the Crow's Mill Pub in Springfield ended.

1982: End of Legal Counsel Role

In 1982, Dick Durbin ended his role as legal counsel to the Illinois State Senate Judiciary Committee.

1982: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

In 1982, Dick Durbin was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the Springfield-based 20th congressional district.

1982: Won Democratic Nomination

In 1982, Dick Durbin won the Democratic nomination for the 20th congressional district, defeating incumbent Paul Findley.

1982: Durbin benefited from donations by pro-Israel groups

In 1982, Durbin's campaign benefited from donations by pro-Israel groups, especially AIPAC, that opposed Paul Findley's advocacy on behalf of the Palestine Liberation Organization in the year before the election.

1987: Introduced tobacco regulation legislation in the House

In 1987, Dick Durbin introduced major tobacco regulation legislation in the House of Representatives, seeking to ban cigarette smoking on airline flights of two hours or less.

1988: Passage of bill banning smoking on short airline flights

In 1988, a bill banning cigarette smoking on airline flights of two hours or less passed as part of the transportation spending bill, after Durbin introduced it in the House.

1989: Congress bans smoking on all domestic airline flights

In 1989, following previous legislation, Congress banned cigarette smoking on all domestic airline flights.

March 1994: Durbin proposes amendment on drug prevention education

In March 1994, Dick Durbin proposed an amendment to the Improving America's Schools Act. This amendment required schools receiving federal drug prevention funds to educate students about the dangers of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol, and how to resist peer pressure to smoke.

1994: Re-elected to Congress

In 1994, Dick Durbin was re-elected to congress, winning more than 55% of the vote.

1996: Durbin elected to U.S. Senate

In 1996, Dick Durbin defeated Pat Quinn to become the Democratic nominee to replace the retiring Senator Paul Simon, and then faced Republican State Representative Al Salvi in the general election, winning the election.

1997: Durbin became a US Senator

In 1997, Dick Durbin became the senior United States senator from the state of Illinois, a seat he has held since then.

November 1998: Appointed Assistant Democratic Whip

In November 1998, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle appointed Dick Durbin as Assistant Democratic Whip.

February 12, 1999: Durbin votes to acquit Bill Clinton in impeachment trial

On February 12, 1999, Dick Durbin voted with all Democrats in the Senate to acquit Bill Clinton on both impeachment articles in Clinton's impeachment trial.

2000: Considered as Vice Presidential Running Mate

In 2000, Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore reportedly considered Dick Durbin as his running mate for Vice President of the United States; Gore ultimately chose Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman.

2001: Durbin approves Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists

In 2001, Dick Durbin voted to approve the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists, which granted broad military powers and was used to justify the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and later interventions.

September 9, 2002: Durbin requests National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq's WMDs

On September 9, 2002, Dick Durbin was the first of four Democratic senators to request Central Intelligence Director George Tenet to prepare a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on the status of Iraq's weapons programs, in response to the Bush administration's request for war authorization.

September 29, 2002: Durbin announces opposition to Iraq war resolution

On September 29, 2002, Dick Durbin announced at a news conference in Chicago that he would vote against the resolution authorizing war on Iraq if there were no significant changes.

October 1, 2002: Durbin reads NIE on Iraq's WMD programs

On October 1, 2002, Dick Durbin was one of few senators who read the National Intelligence Estimate, Iraq's Continuing Programs for Weapons of Mass Destruction.

2002: Re-elected to Senate

In 2002, Dick Durbin was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

2002: Durbin knew Bush admin was misleading on Iraq war

In 2002, Durbin claims he knew from classified information that the Bush Administration was misleading the public into a war on Iraq but was sworn to secrecy.

2004: Durbin became Democratic Whip

After the 2004 election, Dick Durbin became the Democratic Whip in the 109th Congress.

January 2005: Durbin changes position on sugar tariffs

In January 2005, Dick Durbin reversed his stance on sugar tariffs and price supports, now favoring abolishing the program.

March 2, 2005: Durbin co-sponsors the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act

On March 2, 2005, Dick Durbin co-sponsored the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (S. 495), which sought to deny visas and entry to the U.S. for those involved in or responsible for the genocide in Darfur.

2005: Assistant Minority Leader

From 2005 to 2007, Dick Durbin served as assistant minority leader.

2005: Durbin Became Senate Democratic Whip

In 2005, Dick Durbin began serving as the Senate Democratic Whip under Harry Reid.

May 2006: Durbin campaigns to maintain ethanol tariff

In May 2006, Dick Durbin campaigned to maintain a $0.54 per gallon tariff on imported ethanol, arguing that domestic production was sufficient and expanding.

2006: Durbin co-sponsors amendments and resolutions for Darfur

In 2006, Dick Durbin co-sponsored the Durbin-Leahy Amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations bill for emergency funding to instill peace in Darfur. He also co-sponsored the Lieberman Resolution and the Clinton Amendment.

March 2007: Introduced African Health Capacity Investment Act

In March 2007, Dick Durbin introduced the African Health Capacity Investment Act of 2007 to the Senate.

March 2007: Co-sponsored Early Treatment for HIV Act

In March 2007, Dick Durbin joined 32 other senators to co-sponsor the Early Treatment for HIV Act.

April 25, 2007: Durbin claims knowledge of Bush Administration misleading public on Iraq war

On April 25, 2007, Dick Durbin stated that he knew in 2002 that the Bush Administration was misleading the American people into the war on Iraq but could not reveal it due to secrecy oaths as an intelligence committee member.

June 7, 2007: Durbin introduces the Sudan Disclosure Enforcement Act

On June 7, 2007, Dick Durbin introduced the Sudan Disclosure Enforcement Act aimed at enhancing the U.S. Government's ability to impose penalties on violators of U.S. sanctions against Sudan and called for the U.N. Security Council to vote on sanctions.

December 2007: Co-sponsored Nondiscrimination in Travel and Immigration Act

In December 2007, Dick Durbin and two other senators co-sponsored Senator John Kerry's Nondiscrimination in Travel and Immigration Act.

2007: Senate Majority Whip

From 2007 to 2015, Dick Durbin served as Senate Majority Whip.

2007: Assistant Majority Leader

In 2007, Dick Durbin assumed the role of assistant majority leader, or majority whip.

2007: Durbin calls for reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine

In 2007, as Senate Majority Whip, Dick Durbin publicly stated, 'It's time to reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine.'

February 2008: Durbin calls for FDA oversight of the tobacco industry

In February 2008, Dick Durbin urged Congress to support a measure allowing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to oversee the tobacco industry, including requiring disclosure of contents, restricting advertising, removing harmful ingredients, and prohibiting terms like 'low risk' on packaging.

September 18, 2008: Durbin attends meeting on financial crisis, sells mutual fund shares

On September 18, 2008, Dick Durbin attended a closed meeting on the financial crisis with congressional leaders, then-Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. On the same day, Durbin sold mutual fund shares worth $42,696 and reinvested it with Warren Buffett.

December 9, 2008: Durbin calls for special election after Blagojevich arrest

On December 9, 2008, following Governor Rod Blagojevich's arrest, Dick Durbin urged the Illinois legislature to quickly pass legislation for a special election to fill Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat, stating that no Blagojevich appointment could produce a credible replacement.

2008: Re-elected to Senate

In 2008, Dick Durbin was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

2008: Durbin says banks are responsible for the financial crisis

In 2008, Durbin attributed the financial crisis to banks.

February 26, 2009: Durbin introduces Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act

On February 26, 2009, Dick Durbin introduced the Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2009, which proposed a maximum annual interest rate cap of 36% to prevent predatory lending.

April 27, 2009: Durbin blames banks for 2008 financial crisis

In an April 27, 2009, interview, Dick Durbin stated that banks were responsible for the 2008 financial crisis and have excessive influence on Capitol Hill.

2010: Durbin cosponsors Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act

In 2010, Dick Durbin cosponsored and passed from committee the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act, a bill to combat media piracy by blacklisting websites. Many opposed to the bill argue that it violates First Amendment rights and promotes censorship.

2010: Speculation of Leadership Fight

In 2010, with Majority Leader Harry Reid facing a difficult reelection, there was some pundit speculation about a possible fight to succeed him between Dick Durbin and Senator Chuck Schumer; however, Reid's reelection rendered such speculation moot.

January 28, 2013: Member of Gang of Eight

On January 28, 2013, Dick Durbin was a member of a bipartisan group of eight senators, the Gang of Eight, which announced principles for comprehensive immigration reform (CIR).

April 2013: Durbin chairs hearing on targeted killings and use of drones

In April 2013, Durbin chaired a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights about the moral, legal and constitutional issues surrounding targeted killings and the use of drones. Durbin expressed concerns about undermining counterterrorism efforts.

August 2013: Durbin warns Defense Department about predatory payday lenders

In August 2013, Dick Durbin and 22 other Democratic senators signed a letter to the Defense Department warning of some payday lenders "offering predatory loan products to service members at exorbitant triple-digit effective interest rates", asserting that service members deserve strong protections.

2013: Awarded Nancy Pelosi Award for Immigration & Civil Rights Policy

In 2013, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center presented Dick Durbin with the inaugural Nancy Pelosi Award for Immigration & Civil Rights Policy for his leadership on the DREAM Act issue.

2014: Re-elected to Senate

In 2014, Dick Durbin was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

2015: Durbin became Senate Minority Whip

From 2015 to 2021, Dick Durbin served as Senate Minority Whip.

2015: Durbin Retained Whip Position

In 2015, upon Reid's retirement announcement, Durbin, Reid, and Schumer aligned in elevating Schumer to party leader and Durbin to retain the Whip position.

April 2017: Durbin calls for Trump to address Chinese steel with Xi Jinping

In April 2017, Dick Durbin and other senators urged President Trump to address the issue of government-subsidized Chinese steel hurting the US industry with Xi Jinping.

May 2017: Letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions

In May 2017, Dick Durbin sent Attorney General Jeff Sessions a letter asking for support in expanding the Chicago Police Department's violence prevention programs and supporting the Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act.

July 2017: Introduced Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act

In July 2017, Dick Durbin, along with Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris, introduced the Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act.

October 2017: Letter to NIH Director Francis Collins

After the October 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Dick Durbin was one of 24 senators to sign a letter to National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins, advocating for the NIH to dedicate resources to the public health consequences of gun violence.

October 2017: Durbin condemns Rohingya genocide

In October 2017, Dick Durbin condemned the genocide of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar and called for a stronger response to it.

2017: Continued Senate Democratic Whip Under Chuck Schumer

In 2017, Dick Durbin continued to serve as the Senate Democratic Whip under Chuck Schumer.

April 2018: Letter to ICE Director on Detaining Pregnant Women

In April 2018, Dick Durbin was one of five senators to send acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Thomas Homan a letter about standards the agency used to determine how to detain a pregnant woman.

July 2018: Durbin spearheads resolution warning Trump on Russian questioning

In July 2018, Dick Durbin spearheaded a resolution warning President Trump against allowing the Russian government to question U.S. diplomats and officials, which passed 98-0.

December 2018: Voted for First Step Act

In December 2018, Dick Durbin voted for the First Step Act, legislation aimed at reducing recidivism rates among federal prisoners.

January 2019: Introduced the Background Check Expansion Act

In January 2019, Dick Durbin was one of 40 senators to introduce the Background Check Expansion Act, a bill that would require background checks for either the sale or transfer of all firearms including all unlicensed sellers.

March 2019: Durbin requests release of human rights lawyers and activists from Saudi Arabia.

In March 2019, Dick Durbin and 9 other Democratic senators signed a letter to Salman of Saudi Arabia requesting the release of human rights lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair, writer Raif Badawi, women's rights activists Loujain al-Hathloul and Samar Badawi, and Dr. Walid Fitaih, citing arbitrary detention and systematic discrimination.

April 2019: Durbin praises the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building program

In April 2019, Dick Durbin and 40 other senators signed a bipartisan letter to the housing subcommittee praising the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building program and expressing disappointment that Trump's budget "has slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development."

June 2019: Durbin introduces the Affordable Medications Act

In June 2019, Dick Durbin and 14 other senators introduced the Affordable Medications Act, legislation intended to promote transparency by mandating that pharmaceutical companies disclose the amount of money going toward research and development in addition to both marketing and executives' salaries.

October 2019: Durbin blocks Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act

In October 2019, Dick Durbin blocked the passage of S.386, also known as the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act. This bill aimed to eliminate per-country numerical limitations for employment-based immigrants and increase limitations for family-sponsored immigrants.

2019: Durbin introduces the Child Care for Working Families Act

In 2019, Dick Durbin and 34 other senators introduced the Child Care for Working Families Act, expected to create child care jobs and ensure affordable child care for families. It also supported universal access to preschool and aimed to improve child care compensation.

2019: Durbin co-signs Senate resolution affirming support for a two-state solution

In 2019, Durbin co-signed a Senate resolution affirming support for a two-state solution and opposition to a proposed Israeli annexation of the West Bank.

February 5, 2020: Durbin votes to convict Donald Trump in first impeachment trial

On February 5, 2020, Dick Durbin voted to convict Donald Trump on both impeachment articles in Trump's first impeachment trial.

2020: Re-elected to Senate

In 2020, Dick Durbin was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

2020: Senators hope for continued funding for Section 4

In April 2019, Dick Durbin and 40 other senators wrote of their hope that the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.