SPRINGFIELD — As he closed his address before gathered members of the Illinois General Assembly and Gov. JB Pritzker in the Illinois Capitol on Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin invoked the words of another favorite son of Springfield.
“Abraham Lincoln, in the House Divided speech that he gave here in Springfield, gave a grim warning that the divisions in America over the issue slavery could destroy our nation,” Durbin, 81, said, from the dais of the Illinois House chamber. “We see similar divisions today.”
“The challenge we face in the days ahead could be just as serious,” Durbin said, referring to efforts to undermine democratic norms like accepting the outcomes of elections. “I hope that those of us blessed to live in this Land of Lincoln will remember his warnings in 1858 and his counsel to those who lead this nation in our time.”
Durbin delivered what was billed as a farewell address, reflecting on his record in office while urging state lawmakers gathered to pick up the torch for the causes he championed.
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