Press Releases
Illinois Congressional Delegation To FCC: Improve Rural Broadband Maps
WASHINGTON - Today, the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai and the four FCC Commissioners urging the FCC to improve the nation's broadband maps by reforming the mapping process for broadband services. The members noted that currently the mapping process lacks detail, accuracy, and granularity, meaning many underserved areas, including many rural communities in Illinois, could go without critical funding to improve b… Continue Reading
06.13.19
Durbin, Davis Introduce Bill To Study Possible National Park For Julius Rosenwald
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07) today introduced a bill that honors Julius Rosenwald-the former part-owner of Sears, Roebuck and Company-for his work in establishing Rosenwald Schools to promote African American education in the rural South. The Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools Study Act would require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resources study of the sites associated with the life and legacy of Julius Ro… Continue Reading
06.13.19
Durbin, Duckworth Work To Bring Fairness to FEMA Disaster Declaration Process
WASHINGTON - Following historic and severe flooding affecting one-third of Illinois, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced the reintroduction of the Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act. The bill would reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster declaration process to make it more transparent and equitable to small and rural communities in larger states like Illinois. Due to FEMA's disaster declaration process, states like Ill… Continue Reading
06.12.19
Durbin Meets With Champaign County Leaders To Discuss Transportation Priorities
WASHINGTON - In a meeting with local leaders from Champaign County today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) discussed central Illinois transportation priorities and the importance of investing in our nation's infrastructure. The group discussed improving the Illinois Terminal of the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, an intersection of I-57 and I-74 in the northwest corner of Champaign, and Amtrak on-time performance (OTP). "Illinois is in desperate need of improvements to our roads, bridg… Continue Reading
06.12.19
Durbin And Cicilline: Tobacco Farms Are No Place For Kids
WASHINGTON - On World Day Against Child Labor, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative David Cicilline (D-RI) reintroduced legislation to protect child laborers from the dangers of exposure to tobacco plants, which can include acute nicotine poisoning and other long-term health effects. The U.S. currently has no specific restrictions to protect children from nicotine poisoning or other health risks associated with tobacco farming. The Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act a… Continue Reading
06.12.19
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Nomination Of John Kness To Serve As U.S. District Judge For The Northern District Of Illinois
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the White House announced the nomination of John Kness to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, based in Chicago. The Kness nomination accompanies the previous nominations of Mary Rowland, Martha Pacold, and Steven Seeger to serve on the Northern District of Illinois bench: "We are pleased that the President nominated Mr. Kness as pa… Continue Reading
06.12.19
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $6 Million For Rail Improvements Around Peru, Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the City of Peru, Illinois, has been awarded a $6,081,036 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The federal funding will support the second phase of the Peru Intermodal, Safety, Congestion, and Energy Security Project (PISCES II), creating a more efficient and safe rail system around the City of Peru. "This important investme… Continue Reading
06.12.19
Durbin To McConnell: End the Legislative Graveyard & Bring The American Dream And Promise Act To The Floor
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, today came to the Senate floor to once again call on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to schedule a floor vote on the bipartisan House-passed American Dream and Promise Act, which will establish a path to citizenship for Dreamers and immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin a… Continue Reading
06.11.19
On Senate Floor: Durbin Discusses Trip To Alton, Illinois To View Flood Damage
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today recounted his trip this past weekend to Alton, Illinois, on the Mississippi River and Winchester, Illinois, near the Illinois River to see first-hand the effects of severe flooding that has reached historically high levels and duration. Durbin thanked local volunteers, first responders, charitable organizations, and officials at Illinois' state government agencies for their emergency response efforts. Durbin al… Continue Reading
06.11.19
Durbin: President Trump Is Most Anti-Immigrant President In History & Weakest On Border Security
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, today called on Senate Republicans to work with Democrats on smart, effective, and humane solutions to the humanitarian crisis at the southwest border. During today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham's Secure and Protect Act, Durbin stated that he cannot support this proposed legislation because it would not s… Continue Reading
06.11.19
Durbin Meets With The Illinois Farm Bureau To Discuss Farming Conditions, Disaster Aid, & Trade Policy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with the Illinois Farm Bureau to discuss financial difficulties with crop conditions in Illinois due to the wettest planting season in decades. During the meeting, farmers expressed concerns with the Trump Administration's uncertain trade approach with Mexico, and the importance of more federal investments in infrastructure, like rural broadband. "As I saw over the… Continue Reading
06.11.19
Durbin, Leahy, Cardin, Brown, Senators Introduce Resolution Expressing Support For Free, Fair, Transparent Elections In Guatemala
WASHINGTON - Ahead of Guatemala's elections on Sunday, June 16, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today introduced a resolution expressing support for free, fair, and transparent elections in Guatemala. The resolution also expresses concern over efforts to undermine United Nations anti-corruption efforts in Guatemala and opposition to President Donald Trump cutting of… Continue Reading
06.10.19
Durbin, Cohen: Congress Must Close Loophole That Encourages For-Profit Colleges To Target Veterans & Service Members
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) today introduced bicameral legislation that would help put an end to the for-profit college industry's aggressive recruiting of veterans, service members, and their families. The Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers (POST) Act would prohibit for-profit colleges and universities from receiving more than 85 percent of their revenue from the federal government and change the calculation of federal revenue t… Continue Reading
06.10.19
Durbin, Capito, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Address Childhood Trauma
WASHINGTON - Building off sweeping federal legislation they passed in 2018 to help children exposed to trauma, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and U.S. Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL-07) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08) today introduced bipartisan legislation to increase support for children who have been exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma, such as witnessing violence, parental addiction, or abus… Continue Reading
06.10.19
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $20 Million in Federal Funding For Create's Dolton Junction Interlocking Rail Project
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a total of $19,206,398 to the CREATE (Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency) Program's Dolton Junction Interlocking project in Dolton, Illinois. This rail project will help ease freight congestion outside of Chicago. This funding was awarded through DOT's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Pro… Continue Reading
06.06.19
Durbin, Duckworth Introduce 'Buffet Rule' To Ensure Wealthiest Americans Pay Fair Share In Taxes
WASHINGTON - With income inequality soaring to a level not experienced in America since prior to the Great Depression, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), introduced legislation to prevent America's top earners from paying lower tax rates than middle-class families. The Paying a Fair Share Act would ensure that multi-million-dollar earners pay at least a 30 percent effective federal tax rate, also known as the "Buffett Rule"… Continue Reading
06.06.19
Durbin, Blumenthal, Harris, Klobuchar: Keep International Student Talent In America
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have introduced a bill that would remove unfair barriers for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) educated international students who want to work in the United States after they complete their advanced degrees. The Keep STEM Talent Act of 2019 would help grow the economy by retaining talented international graduates who have earned STEM advanced degrees fro… Continue Reading
06.06.19
Durbin, Duckworth Press Carson For Answers On State Of Public Housing In East St. Louis
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today pressed U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson for answers on the state of public housing infrastructure in East St. Louis, Illinois. Durbin and Duckworth asked Carson about the growing backlog of repairs at Public Housing Authorities, like the East. St. Louis Housing Authority (ESLHA), and whether HUD is meeting its oversight authority to ensure that residents living in ESLHA proper… Continue Reading
06.05.19
Durbin Calls On Senate To Pass American Dream and Promise Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to schedule a floor vote on the House-passed American Dream and Promise Act, which will establish a path to citizenship for Dreamers and immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also called on the Senate to address the humanitarian crisis at our southern border created by President Donald T… Continue Reading
06.04.19
Durbin: Leader McConnell Must End The Senate Legislative Graveyard & Protect Americans With Pre-Exisiting Conditions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to end the Senate legislative graveyard and take up bills already passed by the House of Representatives. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin highlighted the House-passed Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, which passed on a bipartisan basis and would prevent President Donald Trump from once again allowing health insurance companies to discriminate aga… Continue Reading