Press Releases
In Recognition Of His Advocacy For Medical Research, Durbin Presented With Inaugural Canning Leadership Award
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today was presented with the Inaugural John and Rita Canning Leadership Award from the Northwestern Memorial HealthCare Board. “I am honored to accept the Inaugural John and Rita Canning Leadership Award from Northwestern Memorial today. Throughout my time in the Senate, making sure families have affordable health insurance and high quality care has remained on my heart and mind, as has ensuring federal funding for the medical research … Continue Reading
May 01, 2026
Durbin Celebrates Opening Of New Forrestal Elementary School At Naval Station Great Lakes
NORTH CHICAGO — U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited North Chicago School District 187 to celebrate the official ribbon cutting of the new Forrestal Elementary School. Durbin and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) helped secure a $57 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense in 2024 for the new school. With this grant, Forrestal Elementary will be able to expand through fifth grade and serve 580 students, increasing the total population of military-connected … Continue Reading
May 01, 2026
Senate Democrats Push Back On Trump’s Executive Order Attacking Vote-By-Mail
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led a group of 24 Senate Democrats in pushing back on President Trump’s executive order attacking vote-by-mail. The March 31 Executive Order (EO) … Continue Reading
May 01, 2026
Durbin Statement On Sham DOJ Investigation Into Illinois School Districts
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) sham investigation into 36 Illinois public school districts: “I can save DOJ some time. Their investigators will find 36 Illinois school districts dedicated to providing their students with a good, well-rounded education. “If the Trump Administration truly cared about supporting Illinois … Continue Reading
April 30, 2026
Durbin, Warren, Merkley Send Letter To Federal Housing Finance Agency Criticizing Fannie Mae’s Decision To Accept Crypto-Backed Mortgages
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), sent a letter to Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director William J. Pulte, urging the agency to provide an explanation for the Federal National Mortgage Association’s (Fannie Mae) decision to accept crypto-backed mortgages. Last month, mortgage provider Better Home & … Continue Reading
April 30, 2026
Durbin Receives The Paul H. Douglas Award For Ethics In Government From University Of Illinois Institute Of Government & Public Affairs
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) was presented with the 2026 Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government by University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen. Nominations are nonpartisan and include elected or career government officials at any level of government and private citizens who significantly contribute to the practice and understanding of ethical behavior and fair play in government. The U of I System’s Institute of Government and Public … Continue Reading
April 30, 2026
As The Trump Administration Attacks DACA, Durbin Calls On Chairman Grassley To Schedule A Committee Vote On The Dream Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead author of the Dream Act, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting denouncing the Trump Administration’s attacks on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program—which protects Dreamers from deportation and gives them the chance to contribute more fully to the nation they love. During his opening, Durbin … Continue Reading
April 30, 2026
Durbin, Sorensen Introduce Legislation To Streamline Collection Of Educator Workforce Data
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) today, ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week next week, introduced bicameral legislation to improve the accuracy of educator workforce data. The Strengthening Educator Workforce Data Act would establish a permanent, national mechanism to collect teacher and principal data at the school district-level to assist in the recruitment and retention of educators. The legislation stems from … Continue Reading
April 29, 2026
Durbin Presses Trump’s Judicial Nominee About His Involvement In A Controversial Pro-Gun Group
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned judicial nominees during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Durbin first questioned Arthur Roberts Jones, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, about his recent involvement with Gun Owners of America. The organization has criticized the National Rifle Association (NRA) for being too moderate, proudly claiming that it is “the only … Continue Reading
April 29, 2026
Durbin Introduces Puppy Protection Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Puppy Protection Act, legislation to create stronger standards for veterinary care, housing, and breeding for dogs. The Puppy Protection Act would ensure that dogs within breeders’ care have suitable and safe enclosures, access to outdoor areas, and regularly interact with other dogs and humans. “In many American households, dogs are a part of the family. And having grown up with a puppy of my own, I understand … Continue Reading
April 28, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth Talk With Association Of Illinois Electric Cooperatives
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC), which represents 24 distribution co-ops and five generation/transmission co-ops that serve most of rural and southern Illinois, to discuss FEMA reform and protecting U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) energy programs, including the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) that provides grants and loans to farmers and … Continue Reading
April 28, 2026
Durbin Statement On Latest Baseless Indictment Of James Comey
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding reporting that the Trump Administration secured a new indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, after its first ended in failure: “With the Justice Department riddled with turmoil, its political leadership is clearly desperate to continue to appease Donald Trump by appealing to his worst instincts and need for petty … Continue Reading
April 28, 2026
Durbin To Secretary McMahon: For-Profit Colleges Must Be Held Accountable For Defrauding Students
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today participated in a Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to review the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Department of Education (ED). During the hearing, Durbin questioned Secretary of Education Linda McMahon about how ED is supporting students defrauded by for-profit colleges. Durbin began by … Continue Reading
April 28, 2026
Durbin Continues To Call For Reforms To FISA Section 702
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called for serious reforms to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Section 702 allows the government to collect the private communications of foreigners overseas without a warrant. The problem is that millions, and potentially billions, of innocent Americans’ communications with friends, family members, or co-workers abroad … Continue Reading
April 28, 2026
Durbin, Rep. Kelly Introduce Bicameral Bill To Increase Access To Broadband Service For Americans
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) introduced a bicameral bill that would increase access to broadband service for low-income urban and rural Americans. The Promoting Access to Broadband Act would help states increase awareness and enrollment in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Lifeline program, which provides a monthly subsidy to help low-income households pay for their broadband and telephone service. … Continue Reading
April 27, 2026
Durbin Denounces Trump Administration’s Cuts To Medical Research
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke out against the Trump Administration’s continued cuts to medical research, which is delaying access to cures for patients. These chaotic cuts are compounded by the Trump Administration’s mass deportation campaign, which is preventing immigrants from filling health care roles across the country. President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget … Continue Reading
April 27, 2026
Durbin Speaks Out Against Gun Violence After Chicago Police Officer Dies In Line Of Duty, Gunman Attempts Attack At White House Correspondents’ Dinner
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor to denounce both political and gun violence in the wake of Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew’s death while in the line of duty, as well as the attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Durbin began his remarks by honoring Officer Bartholomew, who lost his life after a suspect opened fire in a hospital following his arrest for armed … Continue Reading
April 27, 2026
Durbin, Duckworth Urge GSA To Uphold Duty To Properly Maintain Dirksen Courthouse & Roszkowski Courthouse
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sent a letter to the General Service Administration (GSA) urging the Administration to address ongoing maintenance and infrastructure issues at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse and the Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse, both within the Northern District of Illinois (NDIL). The conditions at the Dirksen Courthouse in particular reflect longstanding deficiencies resulting from a … Continue Reading
April 27, 2026
Durbin Reintroduces Joint Resolution To Enshrine Americans’ Right To Vote In The Constitution
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reintroduced a joint resolution that would finally enshrine an explicit, individual right to vote in the U.S. Constitution, and protect all Americans who seek to exercise this fundamental right. “In the words of the late John Lewis, the right to vote is ‘the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument we have in a democratic society.’ When Congress passed the Voting Rights Act … Continue Reading
April 25, 2026
Durbin Statement On DOJ EOIR Board Of Immigration Appeals Decision On DACA
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and author of the Dream Act, released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) decision in the Matter of Santiago-Santiago that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) will no longer necessarily protect DACA recipients from removal proceedings or deportation. Created … Continue Reading