Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second highest ranking Democrat in the Senate, announced that he’s retiring after 44 years of service on Capitol Hill. The incumbent, who recently turned 80, will serve the remainder of his term before stepping down next year.

Durbin’s departure will have major implications for the Democratic caucus, where he has been the party whip for two decades, serving most recently as No. 2 to Sen. Chuck Schumer

Democratic U.S. Senator Dick Durbin will not seek reelection next year, he said on Wednesday, setting the stage for a competitive intra-party contest to fill his seat in the Democratic-leaning state of Illinois.