Illinois

State Senators:

Dick Durbin (D)

Term Start: January 3, 1997

Full Name: Richard Joseph Durbin
Date of Birth: November 21, 1944
Birthplace: East St. Louis, Illinois, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Dick Durbin was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, and raised in a working-class family. His father, William Durbin, was an Irish-American railroad worker, and his mother, Ann Kutkin, was a Lithuanian immigrant. Durbin attended Assumption High School in East St. Louis and later graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service in 1966. He continued his education at Georgetown University Law Center, earning his Juris Doctor in 1969.

Personal Life: Dick Durbin is married to Loretta Schaefer Durbin, and they have three children. The family resides in Springfield, Illinois. Durbin is known for his commitment to public service and his efforts to improve the lives of his constituents through effective legislation and advocacy.

Early Career: After law school, Durbin worked as a legal counsel for the Illinois State Senate Judiciary Committee. He later served as an aide to U.S. Senator Paul Douglas. He also maintained a private law practice and co-owned a pub in Springfield, Illinois.

Political Career:

U.S. House of Representatives: Elected in 1982, representing Illinois’ 20th congressional district, and served until 1997. During his time in the House, Durbin focused on issues such as healthcare, agriculture, and transportation.
U.S. Senate: Elected in 1996, succeeding Senator Paul Simon. Re-elected in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020, making him the senior senator from Illinois. As a senator, Durbin has held various leadership positions, including Assistant Democratic Leader (Democratic Whip) since 2005 and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee since 2021.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee Appropriations
Committee on the Judiciary (Chairman)

Legislative Achievements:

Judiciary and Civil Rights: Led efforts on key legislation related to civil rights, including the DREAM Act and various reforms to the criminal justice system.
Healthcare: Advocated for the Affordable Care Act and continues to work on expanding healthcare access and affordability.
Economic Development: Secured funding for numerous infrastructure projects and community development initiatives in Illinois.

In Summary, Durbin is known for his work on healthcare, immigration reform, and civil rights. He has been a strong advocate for the Affordable Care Act, DREAM Act, and measures to reduce gun violence. Durbin has also focused on financial regulation, consumer protection, and environmental issues. He has played a significant role in shaping U.S. policy on judicial appointments and legal reform as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Committees

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee deals with agricultural economics, research, production, and forestry.

Appropriations: Committee members manage and oversee federal budget to ensure government funds are allocated and spent properly.

Judiciary: Committee plays a role in shaping the nation’s legal framework and ensuring the fair administration of justice. Its work impacts a wide range of issues, from the confirmation of judges to the protection of civil liberties and the enforcement of federal laws.

Voting patterns

Senator Durbin has a consistent voting record that aligns with progressive and Democratic values.

Key Voting Patterns:

Environment: Durbin has a strong record on environmental issues, often voting in favor of clean energy and against initiatives that support dirty energy. He has a high lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters, reflecting his support for environmental protection and climate change mitigation efforts.
Social Issues: He is a staunch advocate for protecting reproductive rights, supporting policies that ensure access to abortion and other reproductive health services. He also supports LGBTQ+ rights and has voted in favor of legislation that promotes equality and protects against discrimination.
Healthcare: Durbin supports expanding access to healthcare, including voting for the Affordable Care Act and other measures aimed at reducing healthcare costs and increasing coverage for Americans.
Economic Policies: He generally opposes tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations, advocating instead for tax policies that benefit the middle class and working families. He supports increasing the minimum wage and other measures that aim to reduce economic inequality.
Gun Control: Durbin is in favor of stricter gun control laws, including background checks and bans on certain types of firearms. He has voted for measures aimed at reducing gun violence and increasing public safety.
Immigration: He advocates for humane immigration policies and has supported legislation aimed at protecting DACA recipients and providing pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

Senator Durbin’s recent voting patterns reflect his commitment to key issues such as healthcare, immigration reform, and civil rights. He has consistently supported measures to protect voting rights, improve healthcare access, and address climate change. Durbin has been active in promoting gun control legislation and has worked on various initiatives to support economic recovery and infrastructure development. He is known for his advocacy for consumer protection, labor rights, and environmental sustainability.

Full Name: Ladda Tammy Duckworth
Date of Birth: March 12, 1968
Birthplace: Bangkok, Thailand

Early Life and Education: Tammy Duckworth was born in Bangkok, Thailand, to an American father and a Thai mother of Chinese descent. Her family moved around Southeast Asia due to her father’s work with the United Nations and international companies. The Duckworth family eventually settled in Hawaii. She attended the University of Hawaii, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and later received a Master of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University.

Personal Life: Tammy Duckworth is married to Bryan Bowlsbey, and they have two daughters. The family resides in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Duckworth is known for her resilience and dedication to public service, advocating for veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Early Career: Duckworth joined the U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) while at George Washington University and later served as a helicopter pilot. In 2004, while deployed to Iraq, her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, resulting in the loss of both her legs and significant damage to her right arm. Duckworth was awarded the Purple Heart for her combat injuries and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard.

Duckworth also was the Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2009-2011) and Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (2006-2009)

Tammy Duckworth (D)

Term Start: January 3, 2017

Political Career:

U.S. House of Representatives: Elected in 2012, served Illinois’s 8th Congressional District until 2017. She focused on veterans’ affairs, healthcare, and economic development.
U.S. Senate: In 2016, Duckworth was elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Republican Mark Kirk. She made history as the first Thai-American woman elected to Congress and the first woman with a disability elected to the Senate. She was re-elected in 2022. Duckworth’s legislative priorities include veterans’ affairs, disability rights, healthcare, and national security.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Armed Services
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee on Foreign Relations
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Legislative Achievements:

Veterans’ Affairs: Advocated for improved healthcare and benefits for veterans, including the Veterans’ Care Quality Transparency Act
Healthcare: Supported the Affordable Care Act and measures to reduce prescription drug costs
Infrastructure: Promoted transportation and infrastructure improvements through initiatives like the Duckworth Infrastructure Act
Women’s Rights: Championed policies for reproductive rights and gender equality, including the Family Leave for Parental Involvement in Education Act

Overall, Senator Duckworth is recognized for her dedication to veterans’ issues, healthcare reform, and infrastructure development. Her personal experiences as a combat veteran and mother have deeply influenced her legislative priorities and advocacy efforts.

Committees

Armed Services: Oversees military operations, defense policies, and the Department of Defense, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee plays a vital role in shaping policies that impact economic development, technological innovation, transportation systems, and scientific advancements within a country or region.

Foreign Relations: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, providing a check on the executive branch’s conduct of international relations, and ensuring that America’s global engagements reflect the values and interests of its citizens.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee plays a crucial role in advocating for the needs of small businesses, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating an environment conducive to small business success and economic growth.

Voting patterns

Senator Duckworth has a consistent voting record that aligns with progressive values and her legislative priorities. Here are some key aspects of her voting patterns:

Veterans’ Affairs: As a combat veteran herself, Duckworth is a strong advocate for veterans. She has supported legislation aimed at improving healthcare, benefits, and employment opportunities for veterans. She also focuses on addressing issues like military hunger and expanding fertility treatments for veterans.
Healthcare: Duckworth supports the Affordable Care Act and has voted for measures to expand healthcare access and reduce prescription drug costs. She advocates for policies that improve the quality and affordability of healthcare for all Americans.
Environment: Duckworth has a pro-environment voting record. She consistently supports clean energy initiatives and measures to combat climate change. She has a high lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters, reflecting her commitment to environmental protection.
Women’s Rights and Equality: She is a vocal proponent of women’s rights, including reproductive rights and gender equality. Duckworth has supported legislation that promotes equal pay, protects against discrimination, and ensures access to reproductive healthcare services.
Infrastructure and Transportation: Duckworth prioritizes infrastructure improvements, particularly in transportation. She has worked on legislation to enhance aviation safety and operations, and she supports measures to modernize and maintain the nation’s infrastructure.
Social Issues: She advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and has supported legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Duckworth also focuses on issues of social justice and equality, working to ensure fair treatment for all Americans.

Senator Duckworth’s voting record reflects her commitment to progressive values, emphasizing veterans’ issues, healthcare reform, environmental protection, and social justice.