14 Facts About Jim Durkin

James Brian Durkin was born on January 28,1961 and is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003 and again from 2006 to 2023.

Jim Durkin served as the Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2013 to 2023.

Jim Durkin was raised in Westchester, Illinois, one of eight brothers.

Jim Durkin attended Divine Infant grade school and Fenwick High School.

Jim Durkin later attended Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal and graduated in 1984 with a degree in Criminal Justice.

Jim Durkin continued his education at John Marshall Law School in Chicago, where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 1989.

Jim Durkin served as an assistant Illinois Attorney General and an assistant Cook County State's Attorney where he served as a felony prosecutor and a special prosecutor in the narcotics unit.

Jim Durkin's brother, Thomas, is a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Jim Durkin is on the board of trustees at the John Marshall Law School, and on the board of trustees for Misercordia Home in Chicago.

In 1991, Jim Durkin was elected to the Board of Trustees for Triton Community College District 504.

Jim Durkin was appointed to the Illinois House of Representatives on January 6,1995, and served until 2002.

On January 8,2023, the Chicago Tribune reported that Jim Durkin would retire from the Illinois House effective January 10,2023, and not serve in the 103rd General Assembly to which he was elected.

Representative Jim Durkin was then quoted as saying "I can't believe anything that comes out of Mr Burris at this point," and called for Senator Burris' resignation.

Jim Durkin self-identified as a fiscal conservative and a social moderate.