West Cook News

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) has resigned from his leadership position the day after the Nov. 8 election.

“The House Republicans ran on the message of fighting for lower taxes and safer communities for families and businesses across the state, and I am proud of all our campaigns who fought hard over the last year,” Durkin said in a statement the morning after the election.  

“I congratulate all of the Republicans who will now represent these important voices in the General Assembly and fight against the Democratic Party of Illinois. While I am not pleased with the results, I will accept them.”

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as Leader of the House Republican caucus, but it's time for the Illinois Republican Party to rebuild with new leaders who can bring independents back to the party that are needed to bring change to the state. With that, I will not be seeking re-election as minority leader. I am proud of the work the House Republican caucus has accomplished under my tenure, and thank everyone who played a part along the way. I began this journey as a voice of moderation and conclude this journey the same way I started, a voice of moderation.”

“To the people of Illinois disappointed with these results, don't give up hope. Tomorrow is a new day.”

Durkin was first elected to the leadership post by fellow GOP lawmakers in 2013.

His resignation comes after a brutal election season.

In the Nov. 8 election, the House GOP saw incumbents Reps. Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) and Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) unseated.

Democrats maintained supermajorities in both the House and Senate and the governor’s office and all statewide elected positions as well as the Illinois Supreme Court.

Durkin took criticism early this year for backing several candidates in June primary campaigns against conservative reformers, thereby depleting GOP campaign reserves before the general elections.

While sources claim Durkin objected to other party members becoming engaged in down-ballot contests, he supported GOP primary candidates of his choice with hundreds thousands of dollars in campaign funding.

Durkin was reportedly trying to rally support from other candidates to help him maintain his position despite his primary losses, including the doomed Richard Irvin campaign for governor to which he lent his deputy chief of staff and spokeswoman.

The failure of the Irvin campaign, for which Durkin received millions in support from Citadel Securities CEO Ken Griffin, led many to question his continued leadership.

Dan Proft, host of Chicago’s Morning Answer, foreshadowed Durkin’s demise on a June 20 broadcast.

“Richard Irvin's loss could loom large over Jim Durkin's bid to retain his job leading the Illinois House GOP,” he said.

“That's interesting. We'll see. I don't know that there's anybody in the House Republican caucus that wants the job that could get the job.”

“I know that the balance of power is moving away from the suburbs to downstate, which is appropriate for the Republican Party, because that's where the energy is, because that's where you have conservative reform leadership. You have none in the suburbs. So why should it stay here?”