Senator Dick Durbin says he's stepping down. The longtime Illinois Democrat won't run for re-election in 2026. In a video posted on X, he said it wasn’t an easy decision.
"I truly love the job of being a United States Senator," Durbin said. "But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch."
Durbin, 80, has been in the Senate since 1996. Before that, he served in the House for seven terms. He replaced his mentor, Paul Simon, in the upper chamber.
His retirement will spark a rush of hopefuls. Illinois leans blue, but both parties are eyeing the seat. Republicans have only won a Senate race in the state twice since 1984.
Durbin made waves early in Congress by banning smoking on airplanes. That 1988 law kicked off the smoke-free movement. President Reagan signed it into law.
He was a key player in criminal justice reform. In 2018, he helped pass the First Step Act, signed by President Trump. It cut some mandatory minimums and improved prison conditions.
Durbin’s been a fierce advocate for immigration reform. He co-wrote the DREAM Act and backed DACA, which shields young undocumented immigrants. The DREAM Act didn’t pass, but his work shaped major policy.
He pushed for tighter gun laws and supported Obamacare. He also voted to convict Trump in both impeachment trials—though Trump was acquitted.
Fellow Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth praised Durbin’s legacy. "Dick Durbin is, and will always be, a giant of the United States Senate," she said.
She recalled meeting him after losing her legs in Iraq. "He saw a soldier in search of her next mission," Duckworth said. "He recognized... I could still serve my nation."