Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, one of the most senior and influential Democrats in Congress, announces that he will not seek reelection in 2026, signaling the end of a decades-long career that has helped shape national policy on immigration, healthcare, and judicial appointments. The 80-year-old senator made the announcement Wednesday morning, saying it has been “the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Illinois.”
Durbin, currently serving his fifth term in the U.S. Senate, was first elected to the chamber in 1996 after serving 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is the longest-serving senator in Illinois history and holds the position of Senate Democratic Whip, a leadership role he has maintained since 2007. He is also the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee and has played a pivotal role in some of the chamber’s most consequential confirmation battles, including those for Supreme Court justices.
In his announcement, Durbin expresses pride in his tenure, citing work on legislation to reform student loan policies, reduce prescription drug costs, strengthen labor protections, and champion immigration reform. “Serving Illinois in Congress has been a tremendous responsibility and privilege,” Durbin says. “But after careful reflection with my family and colleagues, I’ve decided not to seek another term. I will continue to work for the people of my state and this nation until the final day of my term.”
Durbin’s retirement sets off a political scramble in Illinois, a reliably blue state that has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 1998. The seat is considered a must-hold for Democrats hoping to maintain or regain control of the Senate in 2026. Early speculation about possible successors includes Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lauren Underwood, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. On the Republican side, former gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and Rep. Mike Bost are being floated as potential contenders.
Durbin’s decision also leaves a significant gap in Democratic leadership in the Senate. As Democratic Whip, he is the second-highest ranking member of the Senate Democratic caucus, responsible for securing votes and shaping legislative strategy. His departure will require a reshuffling of the party’s internal leadership structure, likely elevating newer faces in the next Congress.
Over the years, Durbin has earned a reputation as a pragmatic legislator and a staunch advocate for civil rights, public health, and financial regulation. He was instrumental in the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd-Frank financial reform law, and bipartisan criminal justice reform efforts. He is also one of the original sponsors of the DREAM Act, advocating for protections for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
Durbin’s role as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee placed him at the center of high-profile hearings, including those involving controversial judicial appointments and investigations into the politicization of the federal courts. His leadership in the committee has drawn both praise and criticism, with progressives often pushing for more aggressive oversight and conservatives accusing him of partisanship.
Though Durbin says he will not run again, he affirms that he is “not retiring from public life” and intends to remain active in politics, policy, and advocacy. “There’s still work to do,” he adds.
His departure marks the end of an era for Illinois and for a Senate that is rapidly shifting generationally. As the 2026 election cycle begins to take shape, all eyes will now turn to who can fill the considerable shoes of a senator who has been a fixture of American politics for more than 40 years.
