Durbin, Duckworth Statement on U.S. Attorney John Lausch's Decision to Step Down
CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after it was announced that United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John Lausch will leave the Justice Department early this year:
“We thank U.S. Attorney Lausch for serving the Northern District of Illinois with professionalism and without partisanship for the last five years. Although Mr. Lausch was nominated by the former President, we endorsed his nomination after our non-partisan screening committee reviewed Mr. Lausch’s qualifications and gave him a favorable recommendation. Two years ago, we asked the Biden Administration to retain Mr. Lausch while he was in the middle of sensitive investigations, and we were pleased when that request was granted.
“We will work to ensure that the next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois will be a person of outstanding qualifications and integrity.”
Durbin and Duckworth first voiced their desire to retain Mr. Lausch in November 2020. In February 2021, they wrote a letter to the President renewing this request.
In August 2017, the non-partisan screening committee set up by Durbin and Duckworth to assist them in evaluating candidates for vacant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Marshal, and federal judgeship positions in Illinoisrecommended Mr. Lausch to serve as the next United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. He was unanimously confirmed by voice vote in the Senate on November 9, 2017.
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