REACTIONS: Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin won't seek reelection
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.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
31 minutes ago
- The Hill
Joe Walsh says he's becoming a Democrat
Joe Walsh, a former Republican congressman, said on Tuesday he is becoming a Democrat, marking the end of his five-year streak as a political independent after leaving the GOP in 2020. Walsh announced his formal affiliation with the Democratic Party in a Tuesday Substack post, saying he made the decision because he views the Republican Party as a threat to democracy and the rule of law and thinks defeating the GOP requires 'a broad coalition of moderates, progressives, and, yes, even conservatives.' 'Three words I never thought I'd ever utter: I'm a Democrat. This former Republican Congressman, former Republican candidate for President, this former TEA Party champion is formally joining the Democratic Party. The stakes are simply too high to NOT become a Democrat,' Walsh wrote in his Substack post, before outlining his reasoning. 'Let's start with the obvious—a tyrant sits in the White House. The very thing our Founders feared most is here. Throw in the fact that one of our two major political parties is a real and direct threat to democracy and the rule of law. These are unprecedented, dangerous times in America. I know it. You know it. There are even Republicans who know it,' he continued. Walsh challenged Trump for the GOP nomination in the 2020 presidential race but dropped out after performing poorly in the Iowa caucuses. He quickly left the party and became a vocal critic of Trump. He endorsed former President Biden in 2020. Walsh has been unaffiliated for the last five years but said in his Substack post that Trump critics who are holding out hope for a third party are misguided. 'Without freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, America ceases to be. And currently, only the Democratic Party is on the side of all three of these core American values,' he wrote. 'There isn't a third party coming to the rescue any time soon,' he continued. 'Right now, the Democratic Party is democracy's lone defender and best hope.' Walsh acknowledged some issues with the Democratic party but said 'for democracy and the rule of law to persevere, Democrats must succeed' — which necessitates becoming a 'big tent' party and learning how to fight against Trump's GOP. 'Take it from a former Republican fighter,' he wrote. 'Republicans fight to the death to win politically, and they've always believed Democrats won't. I've been a fighter my whole life, and if there's ever been a moment when Americans are crying out for a Democratic Party with some fight, it's now.' He added: 'And look, here's the thing. We're gonna need a HUGE tent to defeat this Republican Party,' he wrote. 'We're gonna need a Democratic tent big enough to hold both a conservative like Joe Walsh and a progressive like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. I want to help build that big tent because I want to win, and…Trump's Republican Party must lose.' Walsh also reflected on his political and personal journey, saying he still is 'a border hawk, an unabashed gun rights advocate, and an unyielding defender of free speech. But I'm not the same guy as I was 15 years ago, or even eight years ago.' 'I've opened my eyes and listened to people who don't think like me,' he continued. 'And by doing so, I gained a greater understanding of and appreciation for LGBTQ issues, structural racism, the need for empathetic immigration reform, the dangers of climate change, and the role government must play to help care for the neediest and most vulnerable among us.' Walsh said he's more compassionate and sees the importance of decency, tolerance, understanding and empathy in politics, saying only the Democratic Party 'values and practices these traits.' 'Donald Trump is the worst of us, and, sadly, the rest of the Republican Party emulates his cruelty, dishonesty, and authoritarianism,' he continued. 'We're better than what we've seen every day these past four months. America is better than this. As a former Republican, I know that cruelty sells. Well, it's time for decency to sell.'
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Reading City Council calls for increase in PA minimum wage
City Council is calling on the state Legislature to increase Pennsylvania's minimum wage. Council recently unanimously adopted a resolution introduced by Councilman Jaime Baez Jr. urging the state Senate to approve House Bill 1150. The bill, proposed by state Rep. G. Roni Green, a Philadelphia Democrat, would raise the hourly minimum wage to $15 from $7.25, beginning Jan. 1. It would also require that any future minimum wage legislation include an annual cost of living adjustment and lift the current state restrictions that keep municipalities from setting their own minimum wage standards or other wage-related regulations. 'I want to thank Rep. Roni Green for presenting this, and I want to thank the House Representatives for continuing to pass not only one year but multiple years of minimum wage legislation,' Baez said. Baez, who last year introduced a similar resolution also passed by council, said previous efforts to raise the minimum wage got stuck in the state Senate. Reading City Council calls for increase in Pennsylvania's minimum hourly wage 'So I urge the public, those who are watching, those here present, including ourselves as councilors, and those present here in the audience, to reach out to your state senators to apply some pressure,' Baez said. 'Make sure you're emailing, calling, letting them know that this is necessary.' Green in a February memo to fellow House members said it is impossible to raise a family on Pennsylvania's current minimum wage. 'Even households of one cannot feed themselves, pay rent and utilities, and save for their future on a $7.25 per hour wage,' she wrote. Pennsylvania last raised its hourly minimum wage to $7.25 from $7.15 in 2009, when the federal minimum wage was increased to $7.25 from $6.55. Currently, 34 states, territories and districts have minimum wages above the federal minimum wage, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures' website, The District of Columbia, at $17 per hour, has the highest minimum wage, followed by Washington at $16.28 per hour. New Jersey's new hourly minimum wage of $15.13 for most employees took effect at the start of last year. For seasonal and small employers, that state's minimum is lower: $13.73 up from $12.93. New York also raised its hourly minimum wage, effective Jan. 1, 2024, to $16 in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County and $15 in the rest of the state. 'I have to say that I think we all love Pennsylvania, but sometimes Pennsylvania is way behind a lot of other states in many ways, Council President Donna Reed said. 'The fact that all our surrounding states have pretty much improved their minimum wage and we are still at a minimum wage that is 20-plus years old is absurd.' Reed thanked Baez for introducing the resolution and urged city residents to contact their state senators and ask them to adopt the bill. 'Whenever you can, however you can, call them, write emails, get to Harrisburg, visit their offices,' she said. Several residents, including representatives of the advocacy organization Berks Stands Up, spoke to council during the public comment period. They urged council members to support the resolution. Jae Elizabeth Giesen said she has a college degree and has held a job in Reading for the past eight years. She would like to move out of her parents' home, but at current rental rates she cannot afford an apartment on her own. 'The only reason I'm able to keep myself going right now is because I have the support of my parents,' she said, urging council to pass the resolution. City Managing Director Jack Gombach read a statement from Mayor Eddie Moran, who also urged the Senate to take action to increase the minimum wage. The city raised the minimum starting wages for its employees, the mayor said, because it was the right thing to do. 'Now it's time for the state to follow,' he said. 'I strongly support raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 an hour and urge the Legislature to pass HB 1150. Let's make sure everyone who works hard has a fair shot to build a better life.'
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Live: Linda McMahon testifies about education budget in Senate hearing
(NewsNation) — Education Secretary Linda McMahon testified on Tuesday before a Senate subcommittee about the Trump administration's budget proposal and its effects on her department. President Donald Trump's 2026 budget request includes a 15% funding cut to the department. It allocates $66.7 billion to education, a $12 million drop from the previous year's discretionary budget authority. Student Loans: Ed Dept pauses plan to garnish Social Security checks The funding changes include a $1,000 slash to maximum Pell Grant rewards, a 35% funding cut for the Office of Civil Rights and reductions to other student aid plans. The School Superintendents Association has criticized the plan: 'The Administration preserved funding for priority programs such as IDEA and Title I in the proposal, but eliminated other crucial education funding, under the guise of efficiency.' Harvard-Trump court battle — and polarizing debate — continue When nominated and confirmed to her position, Trump tasked McMahon with putting herself out of a job as the administration works to shutter the Education Department altogether. In a March interview with NewsNation, McMahon said the department's end is not a 'turn off the lights and walk out of the department. It's with close consultation with Congress and looking how the needs of students can best be serviced.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
