Durbin Retiring, Second Tier Dems Ready for Fight

Durbin was first elected to Congress in 1982. He was Pro-Life and financed by pro-Israeli money to take out Paul Finlay, who was perceived to be too much in favor of Palestine.

In 1996, when Paul Simon retired from the Senate he ran for his seat, beating State Rep. Al Salvi.

His biggest accomplishment, in my opinion was banning smoking of airplanes in the late 1980’s.

In 2005, Durbin was elected the number two Democrat, called the “Whip.” He has retained that position, even after losing the fight be be Number One to Chuck Schumer in 2017.

In 1971, while serving a Parliamentarian for Lt. Gov. Paul Simon, he worked with Springfield Republican honcho Bill Cellini to elect Denny Kelley. Coroner William Telford won.

Waiting in the wings are Members of Congress Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Schaumburg), Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) and Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) as well as Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton And former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has a big enough ego to think he could lead the pack, too.