In case there is any doubt that Mr. Durbin’s threats were heard, the statement by Walgreens about why it was not moving after all was revealing. The firm cited big risks of “consumer backlash and political ramifications, including the risk to our government book of business.” In other words: We got your message, Mr. Durbin.

This isn’t nearly the first time Mr. Durbin has abused his powers of office in order to get his way. In another high-profile incident, the Illinois senator wrote a letter to 300 major corporate and foundation backers of the conservative state legislative group, ALEC. In the letter Mr. Durbin demanded to know whether these donors were still supporting ALEC and whether they supported Stand Your Ground laws in states. Mr. Durbin also demanded of ALEC that is release its donor list to the senator. But educational groups like ALEC aren’t required to disclose their donors — and, of course, left-wing groups don’t do so.

ALEC publicly and courageously challenged the propriety of the Durbin letter. “Donors to 501(c)3 organizations are specifically protected by the Internal Revenue Service and the Supreme Court to shield them from the type of political intimidation found in Sen. Durbin’s letter,” said ALEC first vice chair and Iowa Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, in a statement.

But Mr. Durbin lives by his own set of laws.