Welcome to Durbin for Senate 2002

Hello and welcome to my website. I appreciate your interest in my campaign. In 1996 I was elected to fill the Senate seat vacated by my political mentor, U.S. Senator Paul Simon. Since then I have focused on a wide variety of issues that are important to Illinois, including economic development and transportation projects that help local governments to forge partnerships with neighboring communities and businesses to work toward the long-term future of the state.

As the first Illinois senator in 25 years to serve on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have advocated for federal money for everything from child care centers and schools to highways and military bases in Illinois. In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, I have fought for Homeland Security funding in our state. For example, I worked across party lines with Republican Rep. Judy Biggert to revive the U.S. Coast Guard station at Chicago's Navy Pier, which will provide a new facility to protect the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Throughout my service in Congress I have strived to be a strong advocate for working families: to promote economic growth, combat terrorism, strengthen corporate accountability, enhance public education, improve our transportation infrastructure, increase the safety of our food, advance medical research and public health, reduce crime, protect the environment, and fight unnecessarily high and unstable energy and drug costs. I hope to have the opportunity to serve Illinois for a second term.

Since the beginning of 2002 I have been working to earn your vote on November 5. My website will provide you an opportunity to see how I have traveled throughout Illinois, reaching out to families across the state. The website also gives you a chance to read more about my positions on the key legislative issues our state and nation face. You can also read some press releases for and news coverage of my campaign. Since we will be updating the website as Election Day approaches, I hope you will visit here often.