Durbin: 150,000 Illinois Seniors Will Soon Receive Federal Rebate to Help Pay for Costly Medications

[CHICAGO, IL] - Illinois seniors who have fallen into the Medicare Part D coverage gap known as the "donut hole" will soon receive $250 rebate checks from the federal government, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) told seniors gathered at the Northwest side Copernicus Center today. The rebate checks are one of the immediate benefits of the new health care reform law and by the end of the year will be sent to roughly 150,000 Illinoisans in the donut hole to help pay for their medications. … Continue Reading

After Recent Discovery of EAB in Winnebago County, Durbin Asks USDA to Assist Illinois in Response Efforts

[WASHINGTON, DC] - After learning of the newest discovery of Emerald Ash Borer in Winnebago County, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) today requested assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in responding to the infestation. Assistance may include resources for surveillance activities, deploying traps, setting up and enforcing compliance agreements and quarantine areas. This year, the State of Illinois has already added two additional counties to its quarantine area and … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More than $1.25 Million in NEH Grants for Illinois Organizations

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded 7 grants totaling $1,265,227 to 6 Illinois organizations. Several of these organizations have been recognized by the NEH for advancing the goals of its We the People program. The We the People program encourages and strengthens the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture. Today's grants were awarded through a highly competitive revi… Continue Reading

Durbin Corrects Banking Lobby's Arguments on Interchange... Again

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a letter today to the CEO's of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and the Credit Union Nation Association (CUNA), Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) again corrected arguments the two financial service associations have made against his reasonable reforms of the interchange fee system. "I write to express my disappointment at the claims your associations continue to make in your efforts to block reasonable regulation of the interc… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Judiciary Committee Approves U.S. Attorney Nominee in Central District

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which he is a member, unanimously approved James Lewis to serve as U.S. Attorney in the Central District of Illinois. His nomination will now proceed to a vote by the full Senate. "James Lewis brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position of U.S. Attorney," said Durbin. "It was an honor to recommend his name to President Obama and I look forward to joining my Sena… Continue Reading

Durbin Introduces Resolution Praising Stanley Cup Champions Chicago Blackhawks

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced a resolution congratulating the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the 2010 Stanley Cup. Late last night, the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers by a score of 4-3 in Game 6 of the National Hockey League's Championship Series. Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) cosponsored today's resolution. Text of the Senate Resolution is below: Congratulating the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the 2… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Ambassador to Key U.S. Ally

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Timothy Roemer, the United States Ambassador to India - the most populous democracy in the world and a key ally - to discuss the relationship between the U.S. and India. This is the first time Durbin has met with Roemer in his capacity as Ambassador. "Over the last year, Ambassador Roemer has worked to strengthen the already strong friendship between the United States and India," said Durbin. "It w… Continue Reading

Durbin Says New Report Clearly Demonstrates Need for Food Safety Bill

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today that the recently released National Academy of Sciences report, "Enhancing Food Safety: The Role of the FDA" highlights the need for an overhaul of the nation's current food safety system. The 500-page report highlights several shortcomings at Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including: outdated legal authority for the agency - specifically no mandatory recall authority or ability to ban food im… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More Than $365,000 in FEMA Grants for Illinois Fire Departments

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded 6 grants totaling $365,152 to fire departments and municipalities throughout Illinois for operations and safety. "Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As these brave men and women put themselves in harm's way, we must ensure that they are equippe… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $5 Million in USDA Funding Available for Hunger Relief

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made $5 million in grant funding available for investment in research, planning and various hunger relief activities to help end hunger in America. Legislation authored by Senator Durbin and included in the 2007 Farm Bill created the new Hunger-Free Communities grant program which aims to assess hunger in individual communities, promote coop… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Nearly $2 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Weatherization Training Centers in Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded two grants totaling $1,959,635 for weatherization training center development and expansion projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Wilbur Wright College in Chicago, Illinois, will receive $1,000,000 and the Board of Trustees at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, will receive $959,635 to develop training centers.The weatheri… Continue Reading

Durbin: Shedd Aquarium to Receive Over $630,000 in Funding for Great Lakes Education

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, has awarded $630,038 in federal grant funding to the Shedd Aquarium for an ongoing initiative that educates visitors about the Great Lakes and encourages better stewardship of the marine environment. This funding will help the Shedd Aquarium's Center for the Great Lakes to better engage citizens in making positive change to help the… Continue Reading

Durbin Urges Chrysler to Expand in Belvidere

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged Chrysler to consider selecting Belvidere, Illinois as the location for the company's planned operational expansion. In a letter to the CEO of Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne, Durbin touted the quality workforce and expertise at the Belvidere Assembly Plant which has reinvented itself many times over the years."For 45 years the employees at the Belvidere Assembly Plant and the Belvidere Satellite Stamping Plant have… Continue Reading

Durbin Calls for Stronger Policing Standards for Puppy Mills

[CHICAGO, IL] - A loophole in current law being exploited by large, negligent puppy breeders would be closed under a measure U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced this week in the U.S. Senate, the senator told animal welfare advocates and dog owners today. The legislation is intended to correct the failures of the unregulated and often hidden elements of the puppy breeding industry, which too often involve puppies housed in cramped, unsanitary and inhumane conditions. The dogs… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Confirms McPherson to be US Marshal in Northern District

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the United States Senate approved Darryl McPherson to serve as U.S. Marshal in the Northern District of Illinois. "Darryl McPherson will bring a great deal of knowledge and experience from his many years of service to the position of U.S. Marshal in the Northern District," said Durbin. "Darryl has established a reputation for responsibility and professionalism in the law enforcement community. It was an honor r… Continue Reading

Durbin, Gregg Introduce Bill to Expand Successful Charter Schools

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Judd Gregg (R-NH) today introduced legislation that would expand the Charter School Program at the Department of Education (DOE) to make eligible the expansion and replication of successful charter school models. The bill - the All Students Achieving through Reform (All STAR) Act - also takes several steps to strengthen public charter school accountability, transparency, and governance. "We must ensure that each and every child has … Continue Reading

Durbin Praises Agreement to Preserve $119 Million in Highway Funding for Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today that he is "very pleased" that an agreement was reached between House and Senate negotiators over a proposal to revise federal highway formula funding. The original proposal would have caused 13 states and the District of Columbia to lose more than $515 million in total highway funding, including a $119-million reduction in funding for Illinois. "The compromise agreed to today is a win for all involved … Continue Reading

Durbin to Visa and MasterCard: Stop Threatening Small Banks

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a strongly worded letter to the CEOs of Visa and MasterCard, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) told the credit card giants to stop threatening small banks with interchange fee changes and to commit not to take any steps that would purposefully disadvantage small card issuers. Visa and MasterCard began making these threats after Durbin successfully added a bipartisan amendment to the Wall Street reform bill to help reduce the interchange fees that … Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Judiciary Committee Approves US Marshal Nominee in Northern District

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which he is a member, unanimously approved Darryl McPherson to serve as U.S. Marshal in the Northern District of Illinois. His nomination will now proceed to a vote by the full Senate. "Darryl McPherson will bring a great deal of knowledge and experience from his many years of service to the position of U.S. Marshal in the Northern District. It was an honor recommending Darryl'… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Nearly $1 Million in FEMA Grants for Illinois Fire Departments

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded 8 grants totaling $992,001 to fire departments throughout Illinois for operations and safety."Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As these brave men and women put themselves in harm's way, we must ensure that they are equipped with the best resources pos… Continue Reading