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By Eric Stock

.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., says he wants a federal probe to get to the bottom of problems that have caused long delays at U.S. veterans hospitals.

Durbin says Veterans Secretary Eric Shinseki needs to show that the delays and alleged cover-ups are being addressed.

"If it means Shinseki has not been able to manage that department in a professional way, for the betterment of veterans, he has to go," Durbin says.

Sens. Durbin and Mark Kirk, R-Ill., both say they support expanding an investigation by giving another $5 million to the VA's Office of the Inspector General for the investigation.

The inquiry was prompted by allegations that staff used secret lists to conceal long patient wait times for appointments at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Phoenix. Similar allegations surfaced at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in suburban Chicago. The hospital denies any secret list existed. Senator Mark Kirk also backs the probe.

Durbin says on Veterans Affairs matters, he turns to U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., who lost both of her legs while serving in Iraq.

"She just says part of this is a bureaucratic culture you just have to blast through," Durbin says.

Hillary in 2016?

Durbin and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan will join Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in hosting a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's potential 2016 presidential bid.

The Ready for Hillary super political action committee released details of the June 5 event on Tuesday.

The PAC is laying the groundwork for a Clinton candidacy. It's raising money and organizing volunteers in key states. The group announced earlier this month that Emanuel is supporting Clinton and would host the $1,000-per-ticket event at a Chicago restaurant.

Durbin says he's 60 to 70-percent sure Clinton will make a White House run in 2016.

Clinton has said she will decide later this year whether to seek the Democratic nomination.

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