According to multiple media reports, incumbent Democrat Senator Dick Durbin defeated Republican candidate Jim Oberweis to win re-election to his third term in office. 

Durbin has served as the Assistant Majority Leader, the second-highest position in the Senate, as well as the Senate Majority Whip. He is considered to be among the progressive politicians in the Senate. 

Before beginning his career as Illinois’ senator, Durbin was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982, where he remained until 1997. In 1996, he won his first Senatorial election against Republican state representative Al Salvi after defeating former governor Pat Quinn in the Democratic primary for the seat. 

Durbin is a sitting member of the Senate Judiciary, Appropriations, Foreign Relations and Rules committees and is the chairman of the Judiciary Committee’s Constitution and Civil Rights and Human Rights subcommittees. He has also served as the chairman of the Committee of Appropriation’s Defense Subcommittee. 

Durbin is a member of the so-called “Gang of Eight,” a coalition of senators from both parties said to carry the most influence over any potential immigration reform.

Compiled by Josh Winters