Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin admits Democrats took a beating in last week’s election. Republicans became the majority of representatives in the U.S. House. They picked up at least three congressional seats in Illinois alone.

Durbin, a Democrat, said he hopes the new Congress can work together in a bipartisan way.

“I don’t think the American people will forgive either political party if we look like we’re just digging in and hanging on until the 2012 election. Folks want us to roll up our sleeves and get down to business and to do that, we need  both parties working together,” Durbin said.

Durbin said he’s spoken with President Barack Obama. He said Mr. Obama has said he feels isolated in the White House and he would like to talk to regular citizens more often.