Richard durbin biography
Meet Dick Durbin
Dick Durbin serves as the Democratic Whip—the second-ranking Democratic member in the U.S. Senate — and on the Senate Judiciary, Appropriations, Agriculture, and Rules Committees. Born in East St. Louis, Illinois, today Dick and his wife Loretta call Springfield home. They are the parents of three children and the proud grandparents of six grandchildren.
Affordable Health Care
Dick Durbin has been a leader in the fight to defend and build on the Affordable Care Act, including preserving protections for people with pre-existing conditions and working to curb junk insurance plans. Durbin has taken on pharmaceutical companies to bring down the cost of prescription drug prices by cracking down on abusive practices and price gouging. He’s working to address the shortage of rural health care providers to ensure all Illinoisans can get the care they need. He’s also fighting to increase medical and scientific research funding to help find a cure for diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Delivering for Illinois
Creating jobs and supporting economic growth in every corner of Illinois has been a top priority for Dick Durbin. He has advocated for and won billions of dollars in federal investments for our state. These funds have improved our roads, bridges, and airports. And he’s supported job creation by bringing the production of military Humvees and fighter jets to factories in Rock Island and in downstate Illinois. Durbin has secured federal funding that supports cutting-edge research at Illinois' universities and facilities, such as Argonne and Fermi National Laboratories. Dick Durbin won’t stop delivering for working families across the state.
Criminal Justice Reform
In 2018, the Senate passed Dick Durbin’s bipartisan First Step Act, the most significant criminal justice reform legislation in decades. The law reduces sentences for certain nonviolent drug crimes, invests in programs that help prevent recidivi
About Dick Durbin
Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Springfield, is the 47th U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois, the state’s senior senator, and the convener of Illinois’ bipartisan congressional delegation.
Durbin also serves as the Senate Democratic Whip, the second highest ranking position among the Senate Democrats. Senator Durbin has been elected to this leadership post by his Democratic colleagues every two years since 2005.
Durbin serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sits on the Appropriations and Agriculture Committees.
Elected to the U.S. Senate on November 5, 1996, and re-elected in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020, Durbin fills the seat left vacant by the retirement of his long-time friend and mentor, U.S. Senator Paul Simon.
Senator Durbin makes approximately 50 round trips a year between Washington and Illinois. He is married to Loretta Schaefer Durbin. Their family consists of three children--Christine (deceased), Paul, and Jennifer--as well as six grandchildren. They reside in Springfield.
Dick Durbin
American politician and lawyer (born 1944)
Dick Durbin | |
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Official portrait, 2022 | |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 | |
| Leader | Chuck Schumer |
| Preceded by | John Thune |
| In office January 3, 2015 – January 20, 2021 | |
| Leader | Harry Reid Chuck Schumer |
| Preceded by | John Cornyn |
| Succeeded by | John Thune |
| In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007 | |
| Leader | Harry Reid |
| Preceded by | Harry Reid |
| Succeeded by | Trent Lott |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Lindsey Graham |
| In office January 20, 2021 – January 3, 2025 | |
| Leader | Chuck Schumer |
| Preceded by | John Thune |
| Succeeded by | John Barrasso |
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2015 | |
| Leader | Harry Reid |
| Preceded by | Mitch McConnell |
| Succeeded by | John Cornyn |
| In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Lindsey Graham |
| Succeeded by | Chuck Grassley |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1997 Serving with Tammy Duckworth | |
| Preceded by | Paul Simon |
| In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Findley |
| Succeeded by | John Shimkus |
| Born | Richard Joseph Durbin (1944-11-21) November 21, 1944 (age 80) East St. Louis, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Loretta Schaefer (m. 1967) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence(s) | Springfield, Illinois, U.S. |
| Education | Georgetown University (BS, JD) |
| Signature | |
| Website | Senate website |
Richard Joseph Durbin (born November 21, 1944) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the seniorUnited States senator from Illinois, a seat he has held since 1997. A member of the Democratic Party, Durbin is in his fifth Senate term and has served since 2005 as the Senate Democratic whip (the second-highest position in the Democratic leadership in the Sena .