“After decades of speeches and zero real progress for Illinois families, Dick Durbin is stepping aside — proof that even the most entrenched eventually find the exit,” Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi said in a statement. “Illinois families have a long-overdue chance to turn the page and elect a leader who will fight for lower taxes, less government spending, true support for Israel and our national and economic security.”

“Senator Durbin’s retirement was long overdue. For decades, Illinoisans have known him as the face of Washington dysfunction — pushing liberal policies that have made life more expensive, our borders less secure, and our streets less safe,” Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) wrote on X. “Illinoisans are ready to turn the page. Voters are tired of out-of-touch liberal policies that have failed working families, and prioritized illegal immigrants and far-left ideological agendas over hard working American taxpayers. I will work with Illinoisans from across the state to ensure our next U.S. Senator will work with President Trump to lower inflation, cut taxes, secure our border, and protect our streets and families.”

“After 28 years, Il.Sen. Dick Durbin is retiring. I knew him well when I was in Congress & Governor,” former Gov. Rod Blagojevich wrote on X. “He is a career politician, hyper partisan Dem. & political insider whose wife used to lobby me. I’m surprised he is leaving. Making America Great Again one retirement at a time.”

“Paging @SenSchumer — it’s time to join the club,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) wrote on X in response to Durbin’s announcement. “After 50 years of being an elected official — good grief Chuck — do us all a favor and announce you won’t run for reelection in 2028. At least if you do it now, it won’t look like you were scared off by @AOC!”

Still others supported Durbin and celebrated his career.

“The first time I met Dick Durbin was just 12 weeks after my shootdown—at a point so early in my recovery that I could barely sit up for any length of time, even in my hospital bed. But when Dick looked at me, he saw past the wounds, saw past the wheelchair,” fellow Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) wrote on X. “Dick Durbin is, and will always be, a giant of the United States Senate. He has dedicated his life to making our state—as well as our nation—stronger, and we are all better for it.”

DURBIN ANNOUNCES SENATE RETIREMENT, CLEARING WAY FOR LEADERSHIP SHAKE-UP

“As an Illinois voter, I couldn’t be prouder that our senator for the last 28 years has been one of the finest in the country. Dick Durbin has always fought the good fight on behalf of working families, and his integrity shines through in everything he does,” former President Barack Obama wrote. “It’s also true that I would not have been a United States Senator – and certainly would not have been President – had it not been for Dick’s support. He has been a great and loyal friend, and Michelle and I wish him and Loretta all the best in their next chapter.”

Durbin was the second-highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate as the Minority Whip.