For-profit colleges charge higher tuition than public universities, resulting in higher amounts of student debt.
According to the Federal Reserve, students who attend for-profit institutions take on more student debt and are more likely to default on their student loans.
Congress Member Profile|U.S. Senator|Democrat|Illinois
Richard J. Durbin
Source: Wikipedia • View full (CC BY-SA)
SoupScoreanalysis-first civic rating · view full breakdown
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Voting Record — 789
Yes34%
No63%
Present0%
Not Voting3%
Party align93%
Cross-party6%
SoupScore
District Map
Senate District (Statewide)
U.S. Census Bureau boundary data.
Social & Web
External Resources
Richard J. Durbin
U.S. SenatorDemocratIllinois
SoupScore
Richard J.'s ATmosphere Activity
20 recent posts · 127 sponsored · 341 cosponsored
Recent ATmosphere posts, sponsorships, and cosponsorships.
They falsely advertise a high-quality degree and well-paying job.
But in reality, these predatory schools offer students a low-quality, high-cost education that too often leaves them with student debt but no degree.
For more than a decade, I’ve sounded the alarm about for-profit colleges’ long history of deceiving students.
That warning is especially true for low-income students and students of color.
I am a strong advocate for postsecondary education.
However, not all postsecondary institutions offer the same quality of education, job prospects, or potential to pay down student debt.
High school seniors are finalizing their plans after graduation. I’m reaching out to principals, counselors, and teachers with a simple message:
Sound the alarm on for-profit colleges.
Here’s why. 🧵
Scott Air Force Base is an incredible asset both to Illinois and our national security.
I met with leaders and service members there to discuss how to best support their work that ensures our nation’s military readiness.
And the Trump Administration is LYING about why… claiming these programs are “wasteful” and “costly.”
SINCE ITS INCEPTION, nonpartisan studies have consistently shown legal education programs to be effective and efficient.
These programs are popular.
They’re bipartisan.
They’re longstanding.
And in some cases, they’re the only lifeline that those encountering our immigration system have.
The Trump Administration just canceled funding for know-your-rights trainings and legal education.
Every American should care about this.
An attack on ONE person’s due process rights is an attack on ALL of our due process rights.
NEWS: Medicaid Managed Care Organization funds helped 87 child care facilities in Cook County receive permanently mounted water filters, lead-free water fountains, or lead pipe replacements from Elevate.
I'll continue to support bringing clean, lead-free drinking water to children in IL.
Today I visited the newly opened Wedge Innovation Center in Alton—a dynamic hub for digital innovation and community impact. Excited to join local leaders and @SIUE for a discussion on how this cutting-edge space will drive economic growth across the Metro East.
Antitrust enforcement helps keep grocery prices lower and tech companies accountable.
The Trump Administration is trying to close these critical offices, including in Chicago.
We need to bolster enforcement—not shutter it.
Reposted bySenator Dick Durbin
BREAKING: Sens. DURBIN, GRASSLEY, LEE urge the Justice Department to reverse course on plans to shut down vital antitrust field offices, in new bipartisan push.
Elon Musk and the Trump Admin continue to make it more difficult for beneficiaries to access critical information and services from the Social Security Administration.
This move will leave many seniors who depend on Social Security completely in the dark.
I joined @klobuchar.senate.gov in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer for answers on Trump’s tariffs.
We must protect agriculture trade relationships for IL farmers.
President Trump is putting the profits of his Big Oil donors before the safety of Americans.
His order directs AG Bondi to use DOJ to attack state laws designed to protect American families—all to shield fossil fuel companies from liability and enable polluters.
Sec. RFK Jr. has a responsibility to protecting our nation’s health.
Instead, his decisions are putting the health and well-being of Illinoisans at risk.
We’re demanding answers.
Dismantling HHS does NOT Make America Healthy Again.
I led a letter with @duckworth.senate.gov and the IL Democratic Delegation to HHS Sec. RFK Jr. expressing our concerns over actions to cut staff, dismantle health agencies, and terminate federal funds for state's public health programs.
This is the language of dictatorships.
Americans have a right to comment on regulations that affect their health and safety. President Trump can’t just defy the Administrative Procedure Act.
Parents should have the piece of mind knowing that schools have trained personnel to look out for their child's food allergy.
I introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure school food personnel are well-equipped to prevent, recognize, and respond to a food-related allergic reaction.
SoupScore Breakdown
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Voting History789 total votesExpandCollapse
Voting History
789 total votes
Recent roll calls with party-majority context so it is easier to scan how this member tends to vote.
| Date | Bill | Question | Position | Party Maj | Align? | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-02 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (49-45) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (49-44) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (51-45) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (53-44) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (52-41) |
| 2025-08-01 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (50-45) |
| 2025-08-01 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (51-43) |
| 2025-08-01 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (51-44) |
| 2025-08-01 | H.R. 3944 (119th) | Vote on amendment | YES | YES | ✓ | Amendment Agreed to (81-15) |
| 2025-08-01 | H.R. 3944 (119th) | Final passage | YES | YES | ✓ | Bill Passed (87-9, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2025-08-01 | H.R. 3944 (119th) | Vote on amendment | YES | YES | ✓ | Amendment Agreed to (87-9, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2025-08-01 | H.R. 3944 (119th) | Vote on amendment | NO | NO | ✓ | Amendment Rejected (21-75) |
| 2025-08-01 | H.R. 3944 (119th) | Vote on amendment | NO | NO | ✓ | Amendment Rejected (15-81) |
| 2025-08-01 | H.R. 3944 (119th) | Vote on amendment | NO | NO | ✓ | Amendment Rejected (14-81) |
| 2025-08-01 | H.R. 3944 (119th) | Vote on amendment | YES | YES | ✓ | Amendment Rejected (45-50) |
| 2025-08-01 | H.R. 3944 (119th) | Vote on amendment | YES | YES | ✓ | Amendment Rejected (42-53) |
| 2025-08-01 | H.R. 3944 (119th) | Vote on amendment | YES | YES | ✓ | Amendment Rejected (44-51) |
| 2025-08-01 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Points of Order Re: Merkley Amdt. No. 3114) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (44-51, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2025-08-01 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (52-45) |
| 2025-08-01 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (54-43) |
| 2025-08-01 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (52-44) |
| 2025-08-01 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (55-41) |
| 2025-07-31 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (52-45) |
| 2025-07-31 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (52-45) |
| 2025-07-31 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (52-44) |
| 2025-07-31 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (52-45) |
| 2025-07-31 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (53-44) |
| 2025-07-31 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (53-44) |
| 2025-07-31 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (53-45) |
| 2025-07-31 | — | Confirm nominee | YES | NO | ✕↔ | Nomination Confirmed (59-39) |
| 2025-07-31 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (52-45) |
| 2025-07-31 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (53-41) |
| 2025-07-30 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (53-44) |
| 2025-07-30 | — | End debate | YES | NO | ✕↔ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (59-38) |
| 2025-07-30 | S.J. Res. 34 (119th) | Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 34 | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion to Discharge Rejected (24-73) |
| 2025-07-30 | S.J. Res. 41 (119th) | Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 41 | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion to Discharge Rejected (27-70) |
| 2025-07-30 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (53-44) |
| 2025-07-30 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (52-44) |
| 2025-07-30 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (53-44) |
| 2025-07-30 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (53-45) |
| 2025-07-30 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (53-47) |
| 2025-07-29 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (50-49) |
| 2025-07-29 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (54-44) |
| 2025-07-29 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (53-45) |
| 2025-07-29 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (51-47) |
| 2025-07-29 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (52-47) |
| 2025-07-29 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (51-47) |
| 2025-07-29 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (51-47) |
| 2025-07-29 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (50-47) |
| 2025-07-28 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (50-45) |
Alignment stats consider only votes where a clear yes/no majority existed for the legislator's party. Cross-party marks divergence where the vote matched the opposite party majority. ↔ indicates cross-party divergence.