REACTIONS: Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin won't seek reelection

Yahoo

23-04-2025

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Minutes after the announcement that Illinois' Senior U.S. Senator and Whip Richard 'Dick' Durbin would not seek reelection, reactions from fellow public servants began flooding in.
UPDATED: Sen. Dick Durbin announces decision not to seek reelection
Illinois' Junior U.S. Senator, Tammy Duckworth, also a Democrat, said the Senate is losing a 'giant.' She recalled meeting Durbin just 12 weeks after being shot down in Iraq while flying a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, when she could barely sit up.
'But when Dick looked at me, he saw past the wounds, saw past the wheelchair. He saw a Soldier in search of her next mission. He recognized well before I did that just because I would no longer be flying Black Hawks for the Army didn't mean that I couldn't find a new way to serve my nation.'
Govenor JB Pritzker said he wanted to 'congratulate' Durbin on his career.
'Throughout his career, Senator Durbin has been a consistent champion and reliable leader for our working families, civil rights, healthcare, climate, and beyond,' the governor said. 'From first introducing the DREAM Act, to leading the historic confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, to bringing in major federal infrastructure projects to our state, Senator Durbin has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of everyday Illinoisans.'
Bradley University President James Shadid said Durbin was an 'amazing public servant who served the nation and his home state of Illinois with 'professional and personal integrity.'
Shadid, who recently retired as a federal judge to become the university's president, remembered sitting in Durbin's office more than a decade ago when he learned the senator was going to recommend him to be a federal judge based out of Peoria.
'I just remember what a genuine person he was, how dedicated he was and sincere he was,' Shadid said.
Shadid said he first met Durbin more than 30 years ago when his father, George Shadid, was the Peoria County Sheriff and a State Senator. He got to know him more as Durbin was the head of the judiciary committee when Shadid's nomination to the federal bench occurred.
The former judge said Durbin's 'contribution to the federal judiciary speaks for itself in terms of the number of judges throughout the 7th circuit and specifically in his home state of Illinois that he saw through the confirmation process.'
All, Shadid said, having met nearly all the judges appointed to the federal bench in this circuit, are good people and of high honor. In looking back, Shadid said he's grateful for what Durbin has done and is 'proud to call him my Senator and my friend.'
U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, also a Democrat, who represents parts of Peoria, said it's been 'an honor serving alongside Senator Dick Durbin in Congress.'
'I have long admired his focus on creating jobs in Illinois, bringing down costs for working families, and protecting benefits for veterans and seniors,' he said.
'As a dedicated public servant for more than four decades, Senator Durbin has been a strong voice for Illinoisans, ushering into law many historic bills as a long-time leader in the U.S. Senate.'
The LaHood for congress campaign released a statement stating that Durbin's retirement was 'long overdue,' but they still wish him well.
'Senator Durbin's retirement was long overdue. For decades, Illinoisans have known him as the face of Washington dysfunction — pushing liberal policies that have made life more expensive, our borders less secure, and our streets less safe.
'While we wish him well in retirement, Illinoisans are ready to turn the page. Voters are tired of out-of-touch liberal policies that have failed working families, and prioritized illegal immigrants and far-left ideological agendas over hard-working American taxpayers,' they said.
Lisa Hernandez, the chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, said Durbin has 'heart, courage and conviction.'
Hernandez says for four decades in Congress, he stood with working families. 'He defended civil rights. He fought for compassionate immigration policy. He helped shape some of the most important legislation of our time—and through it all, he stayed grounded in the values that define our party and our state,' she said.
Krishnamoorthi, who was raised in Peoria but now lives in Schaumburg, said Durbin was a 'champion for everyday families and an unyielding advocate for the underdog, Senator Durbin represents the true meaning of public service. Over the next two years, I know he will continue to fiercely advocate for our state, and I will be honored to fight alongside him as we continue to deliver for Illinois. From one son of downstate to another: Thank you, Senator.'
She said 'his leadership on health care, veterans issues, infrastructure, DACA, our judiciary system and so much more will continue to leave a positive impact on our country for years to come.'
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