CHICAGO (WBBM) - Ill. Sen. Dick Durbin is urging college students to band together with their schools to force down textbook prices until a new law takes effect in 2010

WBBM's John Cody reports.

Durbin underscored passage of the College Textbook Affordability Act which requires professors to tell students how much their textbooks will cost and give complete textbook descriptions so students can shop online for better prices.

Sen. Durbin said textbook costs now range up to $200 each and amount to 20% of debt carried by college graduates.

Sen. Durbin also warned textbook publishers that students may begin disregarding copyright laws and downloading pirate text books unless prices of textbooks are reduced.

Durbin spoke at Loyola University's downtown campus, 25 E Pearson.