U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) took media questions from over the weekend, following the ceremonial swearing-in of Greg Harris as the first Black U.S. Attorney of the Central District of Illinois.
After the investiture at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Durbin’s focus shifted to another judicial matter—this week’s committee vote on Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is President Biden’s pick to replace Justice Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Durbin serves as the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“[The committee vote] is destined to be a tie,” Durbin said, “I hope I am surprised by a majority, but even a tie vote can bring the matter to the floor.”
When that happens later in the week, Brown Jackson’s elevation as the first Black woman to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court is all but assured and since at least one Republican, Susan Collins (R-Maine) has said she will vote to confirm.
Asked about the announced closure of Lincoln College next month, Durbin expressed regret. “I’ve always like Lincoln College” he said. “I have an honorary degree from there.”
Illinois’s senior senator went on to say that accommodations should be made, through academic counselors and others, to accommodate the needs of students and especially those who have not yet graduated.
Durbin warned students against taking the bait from fly-by-night schools that “promise the moon, the sun, and the stars” in exchange for high-interest loans and then deliver “worthless degrees.”
A better idea? Community colleges and/or places like U.I.S., where students can finish a two- or four-year degree.
On Friday, Durbin’s office released the following statement on the closing of Lincoln College:
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement on the closure of Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois:
“Since learning about the unfortunate closure of Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois, my office has been in touch with the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). I feel for the students whose lives will be interrupted by this, but stand ready to do anything I can to ensure they are made aware of all of their options.
“I urge IBHE and Lincoln College’s accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), to ensure that students are not steered to predatory, for-profit colleges to complete their education and that all efforts are made to provide them options at quality public and not-for-profit institutions that are geographically convenient.
“In addition, I urge IBHE and HLC to provide information to students on federal closed school discharge, which is an option available to students when a school closes.”