Durbin Gives Special Address To Joint Session Of The Illinois General Assembly

Durbin Gives Special Address To Joint Session Of The Illinois General Assembly

SPRINGFIELD - Today, the Illinois General Assembly honored U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) at the Illinois State Capitol. The Illinois House and Senate met in a rare joint session to salute Durbin's nearly 44 years in Congress where Durbin addressed the lawmakers. In Durbin's address, he shared how his life has been enriched by serving the people of Illinois and beyond as an elected official.

The Joint Session was attended by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Senate President Don Harmon, and members of the Illinois General Assembly including Durbin alums Speaker Pro Tempore Kam Buckner and State Senator Mike Simmons. A post-address reception was hosted by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

After graduating from Georgetown Law School in 1969, Durbin received a call from the Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, Paul Simon. He asked Durbin to join his staff in Springfield and serve as Senate Parliamentarian. Durbin also served as legal counsel to the Illinois State Senate Judiciary Committee.

"Public service for me has been an opportunity to meet some of the most interesting and impressive people in our state and beyond. When I am asked after 44 years in Congress what I will miss the most, the answer is I will miss the opportunity to help as many people as I did as an elected official," Durbin said. "I was deeply honored to address a Joint Session of the Illinois General Assembly-coming back to where my time in public service all began."

"Throughout Senator Durbin's decades of public service, he represented the people of Illinois with integrity and honor. From protecting civil rights to bringing key infrastructure projects to our state, he was a tireless champion for working families across the state," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Senator Durbin's moral leadership will leave a lasting impression on the nation, and I wish him a peaceful, fulfilling retirement on behalf of the entire state of Illinois."

"Senator Dick Durbin's service to Illinois leaves a legacy that stands alongside some of our finest statesmen. For more than 40 years, people have counted on Dick Durbin to be our leading voice in Washington," said Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch. "Time and time again-whether working with President Obama to expand access to affordable healthcare, leading the fight for fair and representative courts on the Judiciary Committee, or working to build a smart, sustainable future for all-Senator Durbin has delivered. And one of the greatest testaments to his legacy is the work he has done to train and prepare generations of new leaders who are now tasked with building on his historic legacy of service, integrity, and compassion."

"Senator Durbin built a remarkable career on steady leadership, hard work and an unwavering commitment to the people of Illinois. His impact on this state will be felt for years to come through his investment in the next generation of public servants," said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon. "I'm grateful for his friendship, his years of service and the example he set for those who choose public service. On behalf of the Illinois Senate, we thank Dick, Loretta and their family for all they have given to Illinois."

Video of the Joint Session and Durbin's address is available here.

Senator Durbin is the 47th U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois, the state's senior Senator, and the longest serving, popularly elected Senator from Illinois. Durbin also serves as the Senate Democratic Whip, the second highest ranking position among Senate Democrats. Durbin has been elected to this leadership post by his Democratic colleagues every two years since 2005 and is the longest serving Whip for either party.

Senator Durbin has given more than half of his life to House and Senate Congressional service, having first been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, representing the Springfield-based 20th congressional district. After serving seven House terms, Durbin was 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. In April 2025, Durbin announced that he would not seek re-election at the end of his term in 2026.

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