Full History Of Dick Durbin In Timeline From 1944

1 day ago : Durbin criticizes Musk, DOGE anti-fraud efforts, and Bongino's FBI claim.

Senator Durbin criticized Elon Musk's influence and DOGE's fraud prevention. Bongino's claim about the FBI Deputy Director also surfaced. Durbin represents Illinois.

November 21, 1944: Richard Durbin Born

On November 21, 1944, Richard Joseph Durbin was born. He is an American lawyer and politician who serves as the senior United States senator from Illinois.

1962: Graduated from Assumption High School

In 1962, Dick Durbin graduated from Assumption High School in East St. Louis.

1966: Earned B.S. from Georgetown University

In 1966, Dick Durbin earned a B.S. from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

1969: Earned J.D. 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.

1978: Unsuccessful Run for Lieutenant Governor

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

1978: Ran for Lieutenant Governor

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

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

From 1976 to 1981, Dick Durbin co-owned the Crow's Mill Pub in Springfield.

1982: End of Role as Legal Counsel

In 1982, Dick Durbin concluded 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 Election to the 20th Congressional District

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

1982: Benefited from Donations by Pro-Israel Groups

In 1982, during his campaign, Dick Durbin benefited from donations by pro-Israel groups, particularly AIPAC, which opposed Paul Findley's advocacy for the Palestine Liberation Organization.

1987: Introduced Tobacco Regulation Legislation

In 1987, Dick Durbin introduced tobacco regulation legislation in the House. The bill banned cigarette smoking on airline flights of two hours or less.

1988: Tobacco Bill Passed as Part of Transportation Spending Bill

In 1988, the bill introduced by Dick Durbin, banning cigarette smoking on airline flights of two hours or less, passed as part of the 1988 transportation spending bill.

1989: Congress Bans Smoking on Domestic Flights

In 1989, Congress banned cigarette smoking on all domestic airline flights, following the initial bill introduced by Durbin.

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. This amendment required schools receiving federal drug prevention money to educate students about the dangers of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol, and teach them how to resist peer pressure to smoke.

1994: Re-election to the House

In 1994, Dick Durbin won re-election, though he received a smaller percentage of the vote than in previous elections.

1996: Elected to the U.S. Senate

In 1996, Dick Durbin defeated Pat Quinn to become the Democratic nominee and then defeated Al Salvi in the general election to be elected to the U.S. Senate, replacing Paul Simon.

1997: Became Senator from Illinois

In 1997, Dick Durbin became the senior United States Senator from 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 as Vice Presidential Running Mate

In 2000, Dick Durbin was reportedly considered by Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore to be his running mate for Vice President of the United States. However, Gore ultimately chose Joe Lieberman.

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, which granted the executive broad military powers.

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

On September 9, 2002, Dick Durbin was the first of four Democratic senators on the Select Committee on Intelligence (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 in the resolution.

October 1, 2002: Durbin Reads NIE on Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction

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

2002: Re-elected to U.S. Senate

In 2002, Dick Durbin was re-elected to the U.S. Senate by at least 10 points.

2004: Became Democratic Whip

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

2004: Barred from Communion by Springfield Diocese

In 2004, Dick Durbin, a Roman Catholic, was barred from receiving communion by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois because he voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, raising controversies.

January 2005: Durbin Changes Position on Sugar Tariffs

In January 2005, Dick Durbin changed his position on sugar tariffs and price supports. After years of supporting these measures, he announced his support for abolishing the program.

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

On March 2, 2005, Dick Durbin was one of 40 senators to co-sponsor the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (S. 495). The bill sought to deny visas and entrance to the U.S. to anyone involved in or responsible for the genocide in Darfur.

June 14, 2005: Durbin Compares Guantanamo Interrogation Techniques to Nazi Germany and Soviet Union

On June 14, 2005, Dick Durbin compared interrogation techniques used at Camp X-Ray, Guantanamo Bay, as reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to those utilized by regimes such as Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and the Khmer Rouge.

June 21, 2005: Durbin Apologizes for Guantanamo Bay Remarks

On June 21, 2005, Dick Durbin apologized before the Senate for his earlier remarks regarding Guantanamo Bay, stating, "More than most people, a senator lives by his words ... occasionally words fail us, occasionally we will fail words."

2005: Assistant Minority Leader

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

2005: Became Senate Democratic Whip

In 2005, Dick Durbin became the Senate Democratic Whip under Harry Reid.

2005: Durbin's Guantanamo Bay Remarks

In 2005, Dick Durbin compared the U.S. treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base to atrocities committed by "Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime—Pol Pot or others—that had no concern for human beings." He later apologized to the military for his remarks.

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. He argued that domestic ethanol production was sufficient and expanding.

2006: Durbin Co-sponsors Amendments and Resolutions for Darfur Peace

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.

2006: Rated Most Liberal U.S. Senator

In 2006, the National Journal rated Dick Durbin as the most liberal U.S. senator.

March 2007: Introduced African Health Capacity Investment Act

In March 2007, Dick Durbin introduced the African Health Capacity Investment Act of 2007, aimed at providing over $600 million to improve medical facilities and train doctors in Africa.

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's Misleading Information 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 oaths.

June 7, 2007: Durbin Introduces Sudan Disclosure Enforcement Act

On June 7, 2007, Dick Durbin introduced the Sudan Disclosure Enforcement Act. The bill aimed to enhance 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 against the Sudanese Government for the genocide in Darfur.

October 2007: Opposed Bill Allowing More 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 whether building more casinos was the right future for 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: Senate Majority Whip

From 2007 to 2015 and again from 2021 to 2025, 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 Reinstating Fairness Doctrine

In 2007, as Senate Majority Whip, Dick Durbin publicly stated that it was time to reinstate 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 allowing the Food and Drug Administration to oversee the tobacco industry. The measure would require disclosure of tobacco product contents, restrict advertising, mandate removal of harmful ingredients, and prohibit misleading terms on packaging.

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

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

November 1, 2008: Daughter Christine's Death

On November 1, 2008, Dick Durbin's daughter, Christine, died at age 40 after several weeks in the hospital due to complications from a congenital heart condition.

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

On December 9, 2008, following Governor Rod Blagojevich's arrest, Dick Durbin called for the Illinois legislature to quickly pass legislation for a special election to fill then-President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. He expressed that no appointment by Blagojevich could produce a credible replacement.

2008: Re-elected to U.S. Senate

In 2008, Dick Durbin was re-elected to the U.S. Senate by at least 10 points.

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. The bill called for a maximum annual interest rate cap of 36%, including all interest and fees, and aimed to end predatory lending activities.

April 27, 2009: Durbin Blames Banks for Financial Crisis

In an April 27, 2009, interview with WJJG talk radio host Ray Hanania, Dick Durbin stated that banks were responsible for the 2007-2008 financial crisis. He also commented on the power of the banking lobby 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 aimed at combating media piracy by blacklisting websites. Opponents argued that this bill violated First Amendment rights and promoted censorship.

2010: Succession Speculation

In 2010, there was speculation of a fight between Dick Durbin and Chuck Schumer to succeed Harry Reid.

January 28, 2013: Announced Principles for Immigration Reform

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

April 2013: Chaired Hearing on Targeted Killings and Use of Drones

In April 2013, Dick Durbin chaired a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on the moral, legal, and constitutional issues surrounding targeted killings and the use of drones. He expressed concerns about undermining counterterrorism efforts if the benefits and costs of targeted killings were not carefully measured.

August 2013: Signed Letter Warning of Predatory Lending to Service Members

In August 2013, Dick Durbin was one of 23 Democratic senators to sign a letter to the Defense Department warning of some payday lenders offering predatory loan products to service members at exorbitant interest rates. They asserted that service members deserved strong protections against unsafe credit.

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.

July 2014: Americas PAC Attacks Durbin's Staff Salaries

In July 2014, Americas PAC, a conservative Political Action Committee, released a radio advertisement attacking Dick Durbin's staff salaries. The attack was based on a Washington Times article alleging female staff members earned $11,000 less annually than male staffers. Durbin's lawyers claimed the information was false and threatened the radio stations with liability.

2014: Re-elected to U.S. Senate

In 2014, Dick Durbin was re-elected to the U.S. Senate by at least 10 points.

2014: Reported Conflicts of Interest with Wife's Lobbying Clients

In 2014, the Chicago Tribune reported potential conflicts of interest involving Dick Durbin and his wife, a lobbyist, noting that some of her clients received federal funding promoted by Durbin.

2015: Became Senate Minority Whip

From 2015 to 2021 and again since 2025, Dick Durbin served as Senate Minority Whip.

2015: Reid's Retirement Announcement

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 on Trump to Address Chinese Steel Subsidies

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

May 2017: Letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions

In May 2017, Dick Durbin sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions requesting support for expanding Chicago Police Department's violence prevention programs and 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, aimed at banning the shackling of pregnant women and improving visitation policies.

October 2017: Durbin Condemns Rohingya Muslim Genocide

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

October 2017: Letter to NIH Director on Gun Violence Research

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

December 2017: CFPB Abandoned Supervision and Enforcement Activities related to federal student loan servicers

In April 2019, Dick Durbin was one of six senators to send a letter to CFPB director Kathy Kraninger expressing concern that the CFPB had abandoned its supervision and enforcement activities related to federal student loan servicers since December 2017. The senators requested clarification on the CFPB's role in overseeing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness's student loan servicers.

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.

2017: Criticized for Questioning Amy Coney Barrett About Religious Beliefs

In 2017, Dick Durbin faced criticism for questioning Court of Appeals nominee Amy Coney Barrett during her confirmation hearing about her self-described terminology "orthodox Catholic." He expressed concern that such terminology might unfairly characterize Catholics who may not agree with the church's positions about abortion or the death penalty.

March 2018: Signed Letter Lambasting 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. They argued that it was Pai's obligation to improve the program and ensure more Americans could afford access to broadband and phone service.

April 2018: Letter on Detaining Pregnant Women

In April 2018, Dick Durbin was one of five senators to send a letter to the acting director of ICE regarding the standards used to detain pregnant women, requesting they not be held in custody except in extraordinary circumstances.

July 2018: Called for Kirstjen Nielsen's Resignation

In July 2018, Dick Durbin said Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen should resign over the Trump administration family separation policy, calling it cruel and inconsistent with national values.

July 2018: Durbin Spearheads Resolution Warning Trump on Russian Questioning of Officials

In July 2018, Dick Durbin spearheaded a nonbinding resolution "warning President Trump not to let the Russian government question diplomats and other officials". The resolution passed 98–0.

December 2018: Voted for the First Step Act

In December 2018, Dick Durbin voted for the First Step Act, which aimed at reducing recidivism rates among federal prisoners through job training and early-release programs.

December 2018: Letter Expressing Concern Over INF Treaty Suspension

In December 2018, Dick Durbin was one of 26 senators who signed a letter expressing concern over the Trump administration's decision to suspend obligations in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty if Russia continued to violate it. The letter called on Trump to continue arms negotiations.

2018: Bishop Affirmed Decision to Deny Durbin Communion

In 2018, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki affirmed the decision to deny Dick Durbin communion in the Springfield Diocese after Durbin's vote against the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, reaffirming his position on abortion rights and his complicated relationship with the Church.

January 2019: Introduced Background Check Expansion Act

In January 2019, Dick Durbin was one of 40 senators to introduce the Background Check Expansion Act, which would require background checks for the sale or transfer of all firearms.

March 2019: Letter to Saudi Arabia Requesting Release of Human Rights Activists

In March 2019, Dick Durbin was one of 10 Democratic senators who 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. The senators cited concerns over arbitrary detentions, systematic discrimination, and mistreatment.

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 in Central America by preventing the use of Fiscal Year 2018 national security funding.

April 2019: Signed Letter Supporting 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, expressing disappointment that Trump's budget slated it for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development.

April 2019: Letter to CFPB Director Expressing Concern About Student Loan Servicing

In April 2019, Dick Durbin was one of six senators to send a letter to CFPB director Kathy Kraninger expressing concern that the CFPB had abandoned its supervision and enforcement activities related to federal student loan servicers since December 2017. The senators requested clarification on the CFPB's role in overseeing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness's student loan servicers.

June 2019: Introduced the Affordable Medications Act

In June 2019, Dick Durbin was one of 15 senators to introduce the Affordable Medications Act, legislation intended to promote transparency in pharmaceutical pricing and abolish restrictions that prevent Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices.

July 2019: Letter on Protecting Service Members' Families

In July 2019, Dick Durbin was one of 22 senators who signed a letter led by Tammy Duckworth. The letter argued against the Trump administration's plan to end protections from deportation for spouses, parents, and children of active-duty service members. The senators stated that ending the program would cause hardship for service members.

August 2019: Signed Letter Regarding Novartis Falsifying Data for Zolgensma Approval

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

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 act aimed to eliminate per-country numerical limitations for employment-based immigrants and increase the per-country limitation for family-sponsored immigrants from 7% to 15%.

2019: Tenth-Most Left-Leaning Voting Record

According to the 2019 Govtrack report card, Dick Durbin had the tenth-most left-leaning voting record in the Senate.

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. The bill aimed to create new child care jobs, ensure affordable child care for low-income families, support universal access to preschool, and improve child care compensation and training.

2019: Co-signed Senate resolution affirming support for a 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.

September 2020: Voted to Confirm Judges

In September 2020, Dick Durbin voted to confirm judges Stephen McGlynn and David W. Dugan to lifetime appointments to the federal judiciary in Illinois.

2020: Re-elected to U.S. Senate

In 2020, Dick Durbin was re-elected to the U.S. Senate by at least 10 points.

2020: Conservative Rating by American Conservative Union

In 2020, the American Conservative Union gave Dick Durbin a 5% lifetime conservative rating.

2020: Supported Continued Funding for Section 4

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. The senators wrote of their hope that the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.

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: Served as Senate Majority Whip

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

2021: Chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee

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

2021: Senate Majority Whip and Chair of Judiciary Committee

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

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, also calling for Trump's removal from office.

2022: Opposed Overturning of Roe v. Wade

In 2022, Dick Durbin opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade, stating that it reduced the rights of millions of Americans.

November 2023: Called for a Ceasefire in the Gaza War

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

2023: Net Worth Estimated at $10 Million

As of 2023, Dick Durbin's net worth was estimated to be $10 million, according to CAKnowledge.com.

January 2024: Voted Against Resolution on Human Rights and Military Aid to Israel

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

March 2024: Urged Biden Administration to Recognize 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.

June 2024: Underwent Hip Replacement Surgery

In June 2024, Dick Durbin underwent a hip replacement surgery.

2024: Longest-Serving Senate Party Whip

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

March 2025: Voted to Pass Continuing Resolution Advancing 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 constituents.