U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, the second-highest ranking Senate Democrat, will retire in 2026

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a Springfield lawmaker who holds the second highest ranking position among Senate Democrats, announced Wednesday morning that he will not seek reelection and will retire in 2026.

Durbin, 80, was elected to the Senate in 1996 and re-elected in 2002, 2008, 2014 and 2020. Before that, he served as a U.S. House representative and combined has served in Congress since 1983.

“I truly love the job of being United States senator, but in my heart I know it’s time to pass the torch,” Durbin said in a video on X. “The people of Illinois have honored me with this responsibility longer than anyone elected to the Senate in our state’s history. I’m truly grateful.”

Durbin has kept ties to Rockford during his tenure, including his relationship with Mayor Tom McNamara, who served as Durbin’s legislative intern about two decades ago.

“Senator Durbin is truly one of the best, best people and best representatives. I worked for him in 2005, he had an incredible work ethic, strong values and impeccable ethics,” McNamara said. “He is a giant in Illinois politics and in the U.S. Senate. He will absolutely be missed. He has always been a staunch advocate for Rockford from economic development to public safety and infrastructure.”

Durbin’s most recent visit was in late February, when he helped celebrate the opening of the Think Big small business incubator. He had secured $1 million in Congressional directed spending, sometimes called earmarks, to support that project.

“I can assure you, I will do everything in my power to fight for Illinois and the future of our country every day of my remaining time in the Senate,” Durbin said in his statement.

Durbin said U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth will be a “real asset to Illinois and the nation as our state’s senior senator.”

“Dick Durbin is, and will always be, a giant of the United States Senate. He has dedicated his life to making our state — as well as our nation — stronger, and we are all better for it,” Duckworth said in a statement. “There are no words to adequately express how grateful I am to call him a friend or how honored I’ve been to call him a mentor. And while I will miss working with him so closely in the Senate, I know he will find a new way to keep serving his country in the years ahead — just as he encouraged a wounded Soldier in a Walter Reed hospital room to do, all those years ago.”

Duckworth said she met Durbin 12 weeks after her Black Hawk helicopter was shot down in Iraq.

“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. And 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,” she said. “It is only because of Dick’s empathy, patience, support and mentorship that I am in the United States Senate today. It has been the honor of a lifetime to get to work alongside a leader who embodies what it means to be a true public servant. Someone who has never, ever stopped speaking out for those who far too often feel voiceless. Someone who has never, ever stopped fighting to hold the special interests in our country accountable. Someone who has never, ever stopped caring enough about our nation to do the hard, grueling work necessary to make her a little more fair, a little more just—one day, one bill, one constituent at a time.”

Congressman Eric Sorensen also released a statement saying it has been an honor to serve with Durbin.

“I have long admired his focus on creating jobs in Illinois, bringing down costs for working families, and protecting benefits for veterans and seniors,” Sorensen 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. I am grateful for the legacy he leaves behind that has helped improve millions of our Illinois neighbors.”

Gov. JB Priztker said Durbin has been a reliable leader on civil rights, health care, climate and other issues for working families.

“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,” Pritzker said in a statement.  “His legacy is defined not just by the legislation he passed, but by the undeniable positive impact his character and moral leadership has had on the nation. Together with his talented wife Loretta who has trained and encouraged so many women who have become successful public servants, Dick remains a clear voice for truth, equality, and justice.”

Durbin’s retirement is expected to lead to setup a crowded field of candidates running to succeed him in the Democratic primary.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas