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WASHINGTON, DC -- Illinois will have some high-powered representatives in Washington.

U-S Senator Dick Durbin has won re-election as Assistant Majority Leader, or Majority Whip.  It's the Senate's second-highest leadership post.  The Whip is the lead person in day-to-day action on the Senate floor, counts votes and monitors legislation.

Durbin is Illinois' only United States Senator right now.  Barack Obama has resigned his seat to get ready for the White House.  Governor Rod Blagojevich hasn't yet appointed anyone to that office.

News release:

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) was today re-elected to the Senate's second highest ranking leadership post -- Assistant Majority Leader, also known as Majority Whip. Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) was elected as Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was elected as Vice Chair of the Democratic Conference and Patty Murray (D-WA) was elected Democratic Conference Secretary in today's balloting. 

            "I am honored that my Senate colleagues have again entrusted me with this responsibility," Durbin said. "A couple weeks ago on election day, the American people gave Democrats a chance, even a challenge, to lead. They want a strong and safe America, and they want an America of opportunity as well. They want us to deal with the problems at home and abroad and empower families and individuals to reach their maximum potential. That's our challenge; that's our responsibility." 

            Durbin, 63, will continue in his role as the lead person in day-to-day action on the Senate floor. The modern day version of the whip, besides being the second ranking party leader in the Senate, is responsible for counting votes and monitoring legislation on the Senate floor. 

            Neither the position of whip nor majority leader is mentioned in the United States Constitution. The term "whip" comes from "whipper-in," a fox-hunting term for the person charged with keeping dogs from straying during a chase.  According to the Senate historian's office, it was not until the latter part of the 19th century that senators of each political party "organized and assembled separately for the purpose of electing certain members from among their own to act as agents in helping to run the legislative machine." And it was not until the 20th century that the posts of majority and minority leaders and whips became official political positions.

            Durbin said he believes that his role will continue to benefit his home state. "Illinois will always be at the table for any discussion of legislation involving the leadership," Durbin noted.

            Only four other Illinoisans have served as leaders for their parties in the Senate. Shelby Moore Cullom served as Republican Conference Chairman from 1911-1913; J. Hamilton Lewis became the first Democratic Whip of the Senate in 1913, and was again elected Whip in 1931; Scott Wike Lucas served as Democratic Whip from 1947 to 1949 and Majority Leader from 1949 to 1951; and Everett McKinley Dirksen was elected Republican Whip in 1957 and Minority Leader in 1959, a position he held for ten years.

            Durbin said he believes the Senate will continue to be the most important forum in America to debate the great issues and to address the challenges facing our country. 

            "I look forward to working with the new President and members of both parties to meet the challenges of our time and to improve the quality of life for all Americans," he said.