Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dick Durbin

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

Richard Joseph Durbin is the senior United States Senator from Illinois, serving since 1997. A Democrat, he has held the position of Senate Democratic whip since 2005, except for the period of 2025-present when he has been the Senate minority whip. Notably, he chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2021 to 2025, leading the Ketanji Brown Jackson Supreme Court nomination hearings. Durbin is currently in his fifth Senate term.

Sections (5)

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

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.

1972: Legal Counsel to the Illinois State Senate Judiciary Committee

From 1972 to 1982, Dick Durbin served as 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.

1978: Unsuccessful Run for Lieutenant Governor

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

1978: Ran for lieutenant governor of Illinois

In 1978, Dick Durbin ran for lieutenant governor of Illinois as the running mate of Michael Bakalis, but they were defeated.

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

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

1982: End of role as Legal Counsel to the Illinois State Senate Judiciary Committee

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

1982: Elected to the 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: Elected to the 20th Congressional District

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

1982: Benefited from pro-Israel groups' donations

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

1987: Durbin Introduces Tobacco Regulation Legislation

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

1988: Tobacco Regulation Bill Passed as Part of Transportation Spending Bill

In 1988, the bill Durbin introduced in 1987, which banned cigarette smoking on airline flights of two hours or less, passed as part of the transportation spending bill.

1989: Congress Bans Smoking on All Domestic Airline Flights

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

March 1994: Durbin Proposes Amendment on Tobacco, Drug, and Alcohol Education

In March 1994, Dick Durbin proposed an amendment to the Improving America's Schools Act that required schools receiving federal drug prevention money to educate students about the dangers of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol. The amendment also mandated warnings about tobacco and teaching resistance to peer pressure to smoke.

1994: Re-election in the House

In 1994, Dick Durbin was re-elected in the House, facing more substantial opposition than usual.

1996: Elected to the U.S. Senate

In 1996, Dick Durbin was elected to the U.S. Senate after defeating Pat Quinn in the primary and Al Salvi in the general election.

1997: Became US Senator from Illinois

In 1997, Dick Durbin became the senior United States Senator from the state of Illinois.

November 1998: Appointed Assistant Democratic Whip

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

February 12, 1999: Durbin Votes to Acquit Bill Clinton

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

2000: Considered for Vice President

In 2000, Dick Durbin was reportedly considered by Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore as a potential running mate for Vice President of the United States.

2001: Durbin Votes to Approve Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists

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

September 9, 2002: Durbin Requests NIE on Iraq's WMD Programs

On September 9, 2002, Dick Durbin was one of four Democratic senators on the SSCI to request Central Intelligence Director George Tenet to prepare a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on the status of Iraq's Weapon of mass destruction programs.

September 29, 2002: Durbin Announces Opposition to Iraq War Resolution

On September 29, 2002, Dick Durbin held a news conference in Chicago to announce that he would vote against the resolution authorizing war on Iraq absent dramatic 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 resulting National Intelligence Estimate, Iraq's Continuing Programs for Weapons of Mass Destruction.

2002: Re-elected to the U.S. Senate

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

2002: Durbin Claims Knowledge of Bush Administration Misleading on Iraq War

On April 25, 2007, Dick Durbin said that as an intelligence committee member he knew in 2002 from classified information that the Bush Administration was misleading the American people into a war on Iraq, but could not reveal this due to secrecy obligations.

2004: Became the 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 longstanding support for sugar tariffs and price supports, now favoring abolishing the program due to the separation of the sugar and corn syrup markets.

March 2, 2005: Durbin Co-Sponsors Darfur Peace and Accountability Act

On March 2, 2005, Dick Durbin co-sponsored the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (S. 495). The bill aimed to deny visas and entry to the U.S. for people 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: Began serving as Senate Democratic Whip

In 2005, Dick Durbin began his service as the Senate Democratic whip under Harry Reid.

2005: Senate Democratic Whip

In 2005, Dick Durbin began serving as the Senate Democratic whip, marking a key leadership position in his Senate career.

May 2006: Durbin Campaigns to Maintain Tariff on Imported Ethanol

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

2006: Durbin Co-Sponsors Amendments for Peace in Darfur

In 2006, Dick Durbin co-sponsored the Durbin-Leahy Amendment to provide emergency funding to instill peace in Darfur. In 2006, he also co-sponsored the Lieberman Resolution and the Clinton Amendment.

March 2007: Introduced the African Health Capacity Investment Act

In March 2007, Dick Durbin introduced the African Health Capacity Investment Act of 2007, proposing significant U.S. funding over three years to improve medical facilities and training in Africa.

March 2007: Co-sponsored the 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 on Iraq War

June 7, 2007: Durbin Introduces 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 U.N. sanctions against the Sudanese Government for the genocide in Darfur.

October 2007: Opposed bill allowing new casinos in Illinois

In October 2007, Dick Durbin opposed a bill in the Illinois General Assembly that would allow three casinos to be built, questioning if more casinos were the future of Illinois.

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

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

2007: Served as 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 Advocates 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 Tobacco Industry

In February 2008, Dick Durbin called on Congress to support a measure that would allow the Food and Drug Administration to oversee the tobacco industry, including disclosing contents, restricting advertising, removing harmful ingredients, and prohibiting terms like 'low risk' on packaging.

September 18, 2008: Durbin Attends Meeting and Sells Mutual Fund Shares

On September 18, 2008, Dick Durbin attended a closed meeting with congressional leaders, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, where he was urged to craft legislation for financially troubled banks. That same day, Durbin sold mutual fund shares worth $42,696 and reinvested it all with Warren Buffett.

December 9, 2008: Durbin Calls for Special Election to Fill Obama's Senate Seat

On December 9, 2008, after 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 appointment by Blagojevich could produce a credible replacement.

2008: Re-elected to the U.S. Senate

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

2008: Durbin Blames Banks for Financial Crisis

In an April 27, 2009 interview, Dick Durbin stated that banks were responsible for the 2008 financial crisis and that the banking lobby holds significant power on Capitol Hill.

February 26, 2009: Durbin Introduces the 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 called for a maximum annual interest rate cap of 36%, including all interest and fees, to end predatory lending activities.

April 27, 2009: Durbin Blames Banks for Financial Crisis

In an April 27, 2009 interview, Dick Durbin stated that banks were responsible for the 2008 financial crisis and that the banking lobby holds significant power 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. The bill faced opposition due to concerns about First Amendment rights and censorship.

2010: Succession Speculation

In 2010, there was speculation about a potential fight between Durbin and Chuck Schumer to succeed Harry Reid as Majority Leader.

January 28, 2013: Announced principles for CIR

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

April 2013: Chaired hearing on targeted killings and drone use

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

August 2013: Signed letter warning of predatory payday lenders

In August 2013, Dick Durbin was one of 23 Democratic senators to sign a letter to the Defense Department warning of predatory payday lenders offering high-interest loans to service members and advocating for stronger protections for military families.

2013: Received 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.

2014: Re-elected to the U.S. Senate

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

2015: Served as Senate Minority Whip

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

2015: Aligned in Elevating Schumer

In 2015, upon Reid's retirement announcement, Durbin, Reid, and Schumer aligned to elevate Schumer to party leader, with Durbin retaining the Whip position.

April 2017: Durbin Calls on Trump to Address Chinese Steel Subsidies

In April 2017, Dick Durbin was one of eight senators to sign a letter to President Trump, noting that government-subsidized Chinese steel had been placed into the American market below cost, hurting the domestic steel and iron ore industries. They called on Trump to raise the issue with President Xi Jinping.

May 2017: Asked for Support in Expanding Chicago Police Department's Violence Prevention Programs

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.

July 2017: Introduced the 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, a bill focused on banning the shackling of pregnant women and improving prison conditions.

October 2017: Letter to NIH Director on Gun Violence Research

Following the October 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Dick Durbin was among 24 senators who signed a letter urging the National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins 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.

2017: Continued as Senate Democratic Whip under Chuck Schumer

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

March 2018: Lambasted proposal to curb Lifeline program benefits

In March 2018, Dick Durbin was one of 10 senators to sign a letter criticizing FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's proposal to curb the scope of benefits from the Lifeline program, which provided high-speed internet access to poor communities, arguing it was Pai's obligation to ensure more Americans could afford communication services.

April 2018: Sent Letter Regarding Standards for Detaining Pregnant Women

In April 2018, Dick Durbin was one of five senators who sent a letter to the acting director of ICE about standards used to detain pregnant women.

July 2018: Durbin Spearheads Resolution Warning Trump on Russian Questioning

In July 2018, Dick Durbin spearheaded a nonbinding resolution "warning President Trump not to let the Russian government question diplomats and other officials".

December 2018: Voted for the First Step Act

In December 2018, Dick Durbin voted for the First Step Act, legislation aimed at reducing recidivism rates among federal prisoners through various programs and sentencing reforms.

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, aiming to require background checks for the sale or transfer of all firearms.

April 2019: Signed letter encouraging Trump to reverse decision on foreign assistance

In April 2019, Dick Durbin was one of 34 senators to sign a letter to Trump encouraging him to reverse a decision that would damage national security and aggravate conditions inside Central America, asserting that Trump had a flawed understanding of U.S. foreign assistance.

April 2019: Signed letter praising HUD's Section 4 Capacity Building program

In April 2019, Dick Durbin was one of 41 senators to sign 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 slated the program for elimination.

April 2019: Expressed concern over CFPB activities related to federal student loan servicers

In April 2019, Dick Durbin was one of six senators to send CFPB director Kathy Kraninger a letter expressing concern that "CFPB leadership has abandoned its supervision and enforcement activities related to federal student loan servicers", displaying a "shocking disregard for the financial well-being of our nation's public servants".

June 2019: Introduced the Affordable Medications Act

In June 2019, Dick Durbin was one of 15 senators to introduce the Affordable Medications Act, intended to promote transparency in pharmaceutical pricing and allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.

August 2019: Signed letter responding to Novartis falsifying data for Zolgensma approval

In August 2019, Dick Durbin, along with other Senate Democrats, signed a letter to the FDA Commissioner in response to Novartis falsifying data to gain approval for its gene therapy Zolgensma, calling the actions "unconscionable".

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

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

2019: Durbin Introduces Child Care for Working Families Act

In 2019, Dick Durbin and 34 other senators introduced the Child Care for Working Families Act. This bill aimed to create child care jobs, ensure affordable child care for low-income families, support universal preschool, and improve compensation and training for child care providers.

2019: Co-signed Senate resolution supporting two-state solution

In 2019, Dick 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 the U.S. Senate

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

February 13, 2021: Durbin Votes to Convict Donald Trump in Second Impeachment Trial

On February 13, 2021, Dick Durbin voted to convict Donald Trump in Trump's second impeachment trial.

2021: Chaired Senate Judiciary Committee

From 2021 to 2025, Dick Durbin chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and led the Ketanji Brown Jackson Supreme Court nomination hearings.

2021: Served as Senate Majority Whip

From 2021 to 2025, Dick Durbin served as Senate Majority Whip.

2021: Became Senate Majority Whip and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee

In 2021, Dick Durbin became Senate Majority Whip again and became chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee for the 117th Congress.

2021: Participated in Electoral College vote count during Capitol attack

In 2021, Dick Durbin was participating in the United States Electoral College vote count when pro-Trump rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol. Durbin evacuated to a secure location and blamed Trump for the attack, calling for his removal.

November 2023: Called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war

In November 2023, Dick Durbin was the first U.S. senator to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

January 2024: Voted against resolution on human rights provisions to U.S. aid to Israel

In January 2024, Dick Durbin voted against a resolution proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders to apply the human rights provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act to U.S. aid to Israel's military.

March 2024: Urged Biden administration to recognize a "nonmilitarized" Palestinian state

In March 2024, Dick Durbin urged the Biden administration to recognize a "nonmilitarized" Palestinian state after the end of the war in Gaza.

2024: Longest-Serving Senate Party Whip

As of 2024, Dick Durbin holds the record as the longest-serving Senate party whip in U.S. history.

March 2025: Voted to pass a continuing resolution advancing the Trump administration's spending bill

In March 2025, Dick Durbin voted with all Senate Republicans and nine Democrats to pass a continuing resolution, advancing the Trump administration's spending bill, angering many Democratic base constituents and House Democrats.

April 2025: Voted for resolutions to cancel Trump administration's sales of bombs to Israel

In April 2025, Dick Durbin voted for a pair of resolutions Senator Sanders proposed to cancel the Trump administration's sales of $8.8 billion in bombs and other munitions to Israel.