Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin edged out Republican state Sen. Jim Oberweis to secure a fourth term in the Senate Tuesday.

Vote totals were not available as of press time.

Durbin has served in the U.S. House from 1983 to 1997 and in the U.S. Senate from 1997 to 2014.

Durbin visited Eastern in September to promote a new bill to help curb student debt. During the presentation, he stated 1.7 million people in Illinois have a collective total of $47 billion in student loan debt.

Durbin went head-to-head against conservative Oberweis, where one of the few points they agreed on was the Illinois medical marijuana pilot program, with both politicians calling it a positive for Illinois.

Durbin and Oberweis, however, squared off against social issues, such as gun control, abortion rights and marriage equality.

The liberal Democrat opposed gun laws in Illinois, and advocated for background checks for those buying guns.

Durbin, who is the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, is also on the side of pro-abortion rights.

He also backed the marriage equality law passed in Illinois last year, and has supported gay rights.

With his latest victory, Durbin will have six more years as senator.

Bob Galuski can be reached at 581-2812 or deneic@gmail.com.