Durbin Honors USCP Officer Billy Evans On Senate Floor

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today honored the life and service of United States Capitol Police (USCP) Officer William "Billy" Evans, who was tragically killed on April 2 defending the Capitol building from an attacker. Durbin called Officer Evans a hero who was a familiar and friendly face to members of the Senate and staff at the Capitol. "The loss of Officer Evans is heartbreaking, and I join in praying for his family … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Key Department Of Homeland Security Nominees

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after the White House announced its nominations for key leadership positions at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including: John Tien, nominee for DHS Deputy Secretary; and Ur Jaddou, nominee to lead U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Senate Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over USCIS nominees. "I am pleased that President … Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Kelly, Underwod Applaud Biden Administration For Signing Illinois Waiver Extending Health Care Coverage For New Moms

WASHINGTON - During Black Maternal Health Week, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) today applauded the Biden Administration for approving and signing Illinois' 1115 waiver, which will extend health care coverage for new moms on Medicaid in Illinois from 60 days after pregnancy to a full year. In February 2020, Durbin and Kelly led 14 members of the Illinois Congressional… Continue Reading

Durbin, Illinois AFL-CIO Discuss Dream And Promise Act

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and original author of the Dream Act, today discussed the House-passed American Dream and Promise Act with members of the Illinois AFL-CIO in a conference call. "The Senate should take up and pass the Dream and Promise Act to begin fixing our nation's broken immigration system," Durbin said. "We also need to move quickly to pass comprehensive immigration reform. I'll keep working in Congress to… Continue Reading

Durbin, Padilla: Judiciary Committee Democrats Will Restore Committee's DHS Oversight Role

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chair of the Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, today pressed back on a letter they received from Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and John Cornyn (R-TX), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, requesting Judiciary Committee hearings regarding migration at the southern border and oversight of… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Sewer Improvements With Centreville Residents, Local Officials

CENTREVILLE - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the ongoing sewage and flooding problems that have impacted the Centreville area for decades with residents, local leaders, and people involved in projects to make critical infrastructure improvements. "The chronic wastewater flooding issues that have impacted Centreville have led to serious problems for residents and are a threat to public health," Durbin said. "I will continue to work with state and local leaders to identify fundin… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On President Biden's Creation Of The Presidential Commission On The Supreme Court

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after President Biden signed an executive order creating the "Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States." The Commission's report is required by the executive order to be issued within 180 days of the Commission's first meeting. "With today's executive order, the Biden Administration has pledged to study potential reforms to the Sup… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Decatur And Macon County Leaders To Discuss Infrastructure Package

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke today with Decatur and Macon County leaders to discuss local transportation priorities ahead of a federal infrastructure bill. President Biden's recently announced American Jobs Plan is centered on a more than $600 billion investment in traditional transportation infrastructure including $115 billion for roads and bridges, $80 billion for rail, $85 billion for transit, and $25 billion for airports. "Illinois' highways, waterways, … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On President Biden's FY2022 Budget Proposal

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after President Joe Biden unveiled an outline of his Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget proposal: "With this budget, President Biden has laid out bold priorities for America that create good paying jobs. It is up to Congress to take his vision and pass a budget that supports American families and small businesses, improves our infrastructure, and protect… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $2.9 Million For Illinois Veterans' Homes To Protect Against COVID-19

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois State Veterans' Homes have received a total of $2.9 million in additional federal grant funding to ensure residents continue to receive high quality care and are protected from COVID-19. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and was appropriated by Congress in the COVID-19 relief package passed in December. "Throughout this pandemic and beyond, it is critical that … Continue Reading

Durbin, Hospital Leaders Discuss Initiatives to Address Rural Health Care Challenges

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today held a virtual press conference with rural health leaders in Illinois to discuss efforts to protect the future of rural hospitals and address critical shortages in the health workforce, including highlighting new funding he secured in the American Rescue Plan for health care providers. Durbin was joined by the CEOs of hospitals in Macomb and Eldorado, Illinois. Small hospitals are the backbone of rural communities, and often the largest employ… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Biden Executive Action On Gun Violence

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after President Biden announced several executive actions to address gun violence: "When it comes to the sickening gun violence in our streets we have a choice: give up or stand up. President Biden is prepared to lead with common sense, constitutional steps to stop this uniquely American gun madness. It's time for Congress to stop making excuses and start m… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses American Rescue Plan, Infrastructure With Carbondale Area Leaders

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met virtually today with Mayor Mike Henry of Carbondale, Mayor Will Stephens of Murphysboro, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Chancellor Austin Lane, and local economic development officials to discuss the state and local funding included in the American Rescue Plan (ARP), local projects, and higher education issues. The legislation includes $13.7 billion in state and local funding for Illinois, with Jackson County receiving an estimated $11 m… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On President Biden's Decision To Withdraw U.S. Forces From Afghanistan

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after President Joe Biden announced that all American troops will withdraw from Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks: "The longest war in U.S. history will finally end at the cost of more than 2,300 American lives and many trillions of dollars. What began as a hunt for Osama Bin Laden and his gang of terrorists became an effort to bring order to a corrupt… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Illinois Members Of The American Library Association

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met virtually today with Illinois members of the American Library Association to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of federal funding to libraries. "Libraries provide important services to Illinois communities, families, and children," Durbin said. "Beyond books and local programming, libraries may also be one of the only local opportunities for people to connect with broadband internet service. During today's call, I pr… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Push for Site of Emmett Till's Memorial Service to be Designated as Part of National Park System

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today requested the National Park Service (NPS) to conduct a reconnaissance survey of the Roberts Temple Church of God In Christ, located at 4021 South State Street, in the Bronzeville area of Chicago, Illinois, for consideration as a new unit of the National Park System. Roberts Temple is the site of the memorial service for fourteen year-old Emmett Till, who was abducted, tortured, and lynched in … Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $270 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Community Health Centers for COVID-19 Response in Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that 45 Community Health Centers (CHCs) throughout Illinois will receive a total of $270 million in federal funding to support COVID-19 vaccination and health services for vulnerable populations in urban and rural parts of the state. The funding, which was appropriated through the American Rescue Plan, will be awarded beginning in April by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). "Illinois … Continue Reading

Durbin, Colleagues Call for Transformative Investment in Affordable Housing in Build Back Better Infrastructure Package

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15) in urging the Biden Administration to include major investments in affordable housing in the upcoming infrastructure package. In their letter to President Biden, the members noted that without affordable housing investments, there is no path for an equitable recovery and long term financial stability for low and middle income American families. "Wi… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on First Slate of White House Judicial Nominations

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after the White House announced its first slate of judicial nominations: Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals; Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals; Tiffany P. Cunningham, Federal Circuit Court of Appeals; Regina Marie Rodriguez, District of Colorado; Judge Florence Y. Pan, District Court for the District of Columbi… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses State and Local Funding in American Rescue Plan with Illinois Mayors

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke today with members of the Illinois Municipal League's Executive Committee and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus's Executive Board to discuss the state and local funding included in the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The legislation includes $13.7 billion in state and local funding for Illinois. "Many government entities throughout Illinois faced major budget cuts due to the financial impact of the pandemic," Durbin said. "The American Rescue Plan wi… Continue Reading