Breaking down the Illinois primary fight for Sen. Dick Durbin's seat

CBS News
March 17, 2026
3 min read

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Illinois Democrats are choosing a nominee Tuesday to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin after 36 years.

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Illinois voters are choosing a Democratic nominee Tuesday to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, whose 36-year Senate tenure makes his seat one of the most closely watched open races of the 2024 cycle. The primary will determine which Democrat advances to face Republican opposition in what is expected to be a competitive general election in a state that has trended Democratic in recent years. Durbin's departure creates a rare opportunity for both parties to reshape representation in a major Midwestern state with significant political influence. The winner will inherit one of the Senate's most senior Democratic seats and the legislative relationships Durbin built over four decades in Congress.

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