Senator Dick Durbin speaks to select NEIU audience

Senator Dick Durbin (D, IL) spoke to students of NEIU's American National Government classes on Jan. 12. This previously unannounced lecture struck many students by surprise seeing as how it was barely the second day of classes for some.

Nonetheless, Political Science Professors Ellen S. Cannon and Jeffrey Hill escorted their students to the Recital Hall soon after class began at 3 p.m. that day. President Sharon K. Hahs as well as other senior faculty members rounded out the small audience.

The senator arrived 20 minutes late and appeared to be in a hurry. Despite his late arrival, Senator Durbin managed to present a well-organized and entertaining lecture.

Senator Durbin began the lecture by outlining the meeting he had just attended at the Shedd Aquarium concerning the presence of Asian carp to the Great Lakes and what Illinois is planning on doing to stop it.

This territorial species of fish has infested the Mississippi River and is quickly making its way to the Great Lakes. Were it to infest Lake Michigan, it could destroy the lake's delicate ecosystem. Senator Durbin used this example to demonstrate how varied the job of a public official can be.

He then rounded out the lecture by explaining his stand on health care reform. In a surprising turn for a politician, Senator Durbin claimed that he does not fully agree with some aspects of the bill, but the overall benefit is better than what we currently have, and therefore he supports it.

Finally, Senator Durbin had a quick question and answer session with his audience. Topics ranged from immigration to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and he answered the questions directly.