Jim Durkin

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Representative Durkin served as ranking Republican on the Illinois House impeachment committee in December 2008–January 2009. U.S. Senator Roland Burris testified in front of the committee, but his testimony was called into question by a later Burris affidavit, in February 2009. Representative Durkin was then quoted as saying "I can't believe anything that comes out of Mr. Burris at this point," and called for Senator Burris' resignation. [16] [17]

Durkin called for a criminal perjury investigation of Senator Burris, and "scoffed at the notion that Mr. Burris had not been granted time to mention such relevant conversations or that lawmakers had moved on." The news report continued that "Republicans also questioned why it had taken Mr. Burris nearly a month to amend his testimony, and why lawmakers had not heard of the amendments until they were revealed on Saturday in The Chicago Sun-Times — more than a week after he sent them." Democrat Barbara Flynn Currie, chair of the impeachment committee, was the recipient of the follow-up affidavit. Senator Burris filed it February 5 or so with Currie, so she became one of the objects of Republican questions and criticism over the delayed release of the information. [18]

Opposition to redistricting

Representative Durkin along with other members of the Illinois Republican Party posed strong opposition to the Democratic Drawn Redistricting Maps passed by the State Legislature May 2021. Durkin along with other Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie criticized the new maps as drawn up too soon arguing that the population assumptions in the new map are off the total population range by up to 29.88%, more than three times the federal maximum range. Durkin along with other State GOP Leaders filed a federal lawsuit challenging the new maps. [19] [20]

U.S. Senate campaign

In 2002, Jim Durkin ran for U.S. Senate against incumbent Dick Durbin. Durkin self-identified as a fiscal conservative and a social moderate. [3] Durkin received the Republican nomination with 46%, or 371,000 votes, defeating multi-millionaires Jim Oberweis and John H. Cox in the primary. He lost to Durbin in the general election, with 38%, or 1,302,000 votes. [21]

Electoral history

Jim Durkin
Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
August 29, 2013 January 10, 2023
Republican primary results [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jim Durkin 378,010 45.81%
Republican Jim Oberweis 259,51531.45%
Republican John H. Cox 187,70622.74%
Total votes825,231 100.00%
United States Senate election in Illinois, 2002 [23] [24] [25]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Dick Durbin (incumbent) 2,103,766 60.33% +4.25%
Republican Jim Durkin1,325,70338.02%−2.65%
Libertarian Steven Burgauer57,3821.65%+0.68%
Majority 778,06322.31%+6.90%
Turnout 3,486,85149.50%
Democratic hold Swing

References

  1. 1 2 3 Representative Jim Durkin (R) 82nd District, my.ilga.gov; accessed December 11, 2014.
  2. Hinz, Greg (May 22, 2012). "Durkin close to U.S. judgeship; Springfield moves a bit on Medicaid, pensions". Crain's Chicago Business . Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Republican Durkin pushes conservative agenda". Edwardsville Intelligencer. Archived from the original on 2003-09-22. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
  4. Holt, Douglas (October 15, 2002). "Recognition doesn't come easily, cheaply for Durkin". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  5. Miller, David R. (ed.). "Biographies of New Legislators" (PDF). First Reading. 19 (4). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois General Assembly: 3. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  6. Illinois blue book, 1995–1996 p. 87
  7. "Durkin Sworn In as Representative". Chicago Tribune . January 7, 1995.
  8. Sweet, Lynn (January 1, 2002). "Left to Chance: Republicans won't get a double punch at the top of the ticket in November". NPR . Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  9. Pearson, Rick (September 26, 2001). "Democrat remap clears panel over GOP protests". Chicago Tribune . Chicago, Illinois . Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  10. McQueary, Kristen (September 15, 2005). "GOP, Durkin hoping to launch comeback". Daily Southtown.
  11. Mahoney, Mark (Clerk of the House) (ed.). "Resignations and Appointments" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois House of Representatives. 94 (75). Illinois House of Representatives: 3–5. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  12. Miller, Rich (August 30, 2013). "A huge win amid hopes for unity". Capitol Fax . Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  13. Small, Alonzo; Bradley, Tahman. "Jim Durkin to step down as House GOP Leader". WGNtv.com. WGN. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  14. Kapos, Shia; Olander, Olivia (16 November 2022). "New Faces Lead the Illinois GOP". politico.com. Politico. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  15. Miller, Rich (January 8, 2023). "Leader Durkin to resign from Illinois House on Tuesday". Capitol Fax . Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  16. "Burris Defends His Earlier Testimony Before Panel", nytimes.com, February 15, 2009; retrieved December 11, 2014.
  17. "Illinois GOP leader calls on Sen. Burris to resign". ABC 7 New York . Associated Press. February 16, 2009. Retrieved 2018-05-19.
  18. Monica Davey, "Burris Defends His Evolving Description of Talks", nytimes.com, February 16, 2009, p. A9; accessed December 11, 2014.
  19. "Illinois Republicans says census data proves new maps illegal, unconstitutional".
  20. Hinton, Rachel (August 16, 2021). "Count them out? GOP says census figures prove political maps drawn by Democrats are 'unusable, unlawful'". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  21. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002" (PDF). clerk.house.gov. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  22. "Ballots Cast". Elections.il.gov. March 19, 2002. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  23. "Voter Turnout". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 30 May 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  24. "Election Results". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  25. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002" (PDF). Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Illinois
(Class 2)

2002
Succeeded by
Steve Sauerberg
Illinois House of Representatives
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives
2013–2023
Succeeded by