Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights in the 112th Congress
Senate Approves Durkin Nomination for Illinois Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that the Senate has approved the nomination of Thomas Durkin to fill a pending vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. "Tom Durkin has the qualifications, independence and integrity to serve with distinction on the federal bench. Throughout his career, Tom Durkin has demonstrated strong leadership in his community and a solid commitment to public service." said … Continue Reading
December 12, 2012
Durbin Holds Hearing on Ending the School-to-Prison Pipeline
[Washington, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, held a hearing today on the school-to-prison pipeline. The first-ever Congressional hearing on the matter investigated the troubling increase in the number of young people sent to the juvenile delinquency system as a result of relatively minor school discipline issues. "For many young people, our schools are increasingly a … Continue Reading
December 03, 2012
Durbin and Kirk Send Four Finalists for U.S. Attorney to the White House
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today recommended four finalists for the position of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois to President Obama for consideration. The four finalists are, in alphabetical order: Jonathan Bunge; Zachary Fardon; Lori Lightfoot; and Gil Soffer. "I'm pleased to recommend four exceptional candidates to be the next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois," Durbin said. "Each brings a range of legal … Continue Reading
November 16, 2012
Durbin, Schakowsky, Emanuel Urge French Justice Minister to Ensure Justice Is Done During Hans Peterson Retrial
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel today urged the Minister of Justice of France to ensure that justice is served in the retrial of Hans Peterson, who confessed to murdering Chicago physician Dr. David Cornbleet in 2006. Peterson was initially convicted of murder in a 2011 trial in the French justice system and received the most severe sentence available. Peterson exercised his right under French law … Continue Reading
October 02, 2012
Durbin, Quinn Announce Sale of Thomson Correctional Center to the Federal Government
[THOMSON, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the Obama administration and the Federal Bureau of Prisons will purchase the underutilized, state-of-the-art maximum security Thomson Correctional Center to house federal criminal offenders. More than 1,100 jobs are expected to be generated once the facility is fully operational. "At the direction of President Obama, the Department of Justice, on behalf of the federal Bureau of Prisons, … Continue Reading
September 20, 2012
Durbin Announces More Than $567,000 in Funding to Enhance Programs Addressing Violence Against Women on College Campuses
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $567,196 in grants through the Office of Violence Against Women to support programs at Illinois institutions of higher education aimed at preventing and combating violent crimes against women on campus. The funding is made available through the Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program. … Continue Reading
September 19, 2012
Durbin Chairs Hearing on Hate Crimes and the Threat of Domestic Extremism
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, chaired a hearing today on hate crimes and the threat of domestic extremism. Today's hearing, which comes just a month after the mass shooting by a white supremacist at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, asked what the federal government is doing to prevent hate crimes from taking place and whether sufficient resources are … Continue Reading
September 17, 2012
Durbin Announces Nearly $4 Million in Funding to Enhance Illinois Justice Programs Focused on Addressing Violence Against Women
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $3,859,210 in grants through the Office of Violence Against Women to support the establishment or enhancement of several justice system programs in Illinois. These programs provide support and services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in a number of Illinois communities through research and education initiatives, as well as legal … Continue Reading
September 13, 2012
Durbin Announces More Than $5.6 Million in DOJ Funding to Enhance Illinois Justice Programs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $5,671,165 in grants to support the establishment or enhancement of several justice system programs in Illinois. These programs provide support and services to a number of Illinois communities through research and education initiatives, as well as legal assistance and support services. "Our nation's law enforcement officers are called upon day after … Continue Reading
September 10, 2012
Durbin Announces More Than $1 Million in DOJ Funding to Enhance Illinois' Justice System
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $1,089,638 in grants to support the establishment or enhancement of several justice system programs in Illinois. These programs provide support and services to a number of Illinois communities through research and education initiatives, as well as legal assistance and support services. The following Illinois entities and programs will receive … Continue Reading
August 29, 2012
Durbin Announces Over $5 Million in Additional Department of Labor Grants for Illinois Youth
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded five grants totaling in $5,127,556 to YouthBuild organizations throughout Illinois. YouthBuild assists out-of-school youth in obtaining their diplomas or GEDs while providing occupational training in the construction industry. Participants in the program include individuals who have been in the juvenile justice system, youth aging out of foster care, high school dropouts and … Continue Reading
August 16, 2012
Durbin Announces More Than $94,000 in DOJ Funding for Ford County Judiciary Program
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded Ford County a grant of $94,598 to support efforts to provide representation for potentially wrongly convicted defendants and offer better services through drug treatment courts. This funding was made available through the DOJ's Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program, which is designed to develop and implement drug treatment courts for jurisdictions to incorporate … Continue Reading
August 13, 2012
Durbin Announces Another Bipartisan Screening Committee for Federal Judges in the Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced the formation of a bipartisan screening committee to assist in selecting Federal District Court Judges for the Northern District of Illinois. There are currently three vacant judgeships in the Northern District, and the immediate task of the screening committee is to review applications and make recommendations to Durbin for filling current and future vacancies. The screening committee will be comprised of 13 distinguished … Continue Reading
August 02, 2012
Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Durkin Nomination for Illinois Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee has unanimously approved the nomination of Thomas Durkin to fill a pending vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. His nomination will now proceed to a vote by the full Senate. "I am pleased the Judiciary Committee has approved this consensus, bipartisan nominee," said Durbin. "Tom Durkin has the ability, experience and integrity … Continue Reading
July 31, 2012
Durbin Announces $51,000 in DOJ Funding to Enhance Law Enforcement Capabilities in Moline
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $51,013 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to support law enforcement officers in Moline, Illinois. This funding will be used to support police officers' salaries, purchase tasers and upgrade court security equipment and access. "Our nation's law enforcement officers are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As these … Continue Reading
July 31, 2012
Durbin and BOP Director Discuss Importance of Thomson Prison to Relieve Overcrowding and Create 1,100 New Jobs in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, Charles Samuels, to discuss the Obama Administration's continued commitment to acquiring Thomson Correctional Center and opening it as a maximum-security federal prison - a move that would alleviate overcrowding in the federal prison system and create more than 1,100 jobs in Northwest Illinois. Durbin will speak with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn later today about moving forward with … Continue Reading
July 27, 2012
Durbin to Wolf: End Opposition to 1,100 New Jobs in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called for Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) to end his opposition to opening Thomson Correctional Center as a maximum-security federal prison - a move that would create more than 1,100 jobs in Northwest Illinois. Durbin's call comes just hours after Attorney General Eric Holder sent to Congress a new request to reprogram already appropriated funding within the Department of Justice that can be used to acquire and activate Thomson … Continue Reading
July 19, 2012
Durbin and Kirk Name Screening Committee for Next US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and Announce Application Process
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced the members of their six person screening committee that will aid them in the search for the next US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. The committee will be co-chaired by the Honorable David Coar, former U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois and the Honorable Mark Filip, former Deputy Attorney General in the United States Department of Justice. The other … Continue Reading
July 11, 2012
Durbin: Time for Congressmen to End Excuses and Increase Pressure on the Only Person Holding Up Sale of Thomson
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - While calling on the Obama Administration to send a new reprogramming request to Congress for the acquisition and activation of the Thomson Correctional Center, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation should stop making excuses and start increasing pressure on Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) - the only person standing in the way of the federal government's purchase of the prison. In a letter to Attorney General … Continue Reading
July 11, 2012
Durbin, Kirk: Illinois Judicial Nomination for Northern District Receives Senate Committee Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) said that a hearing was held today in the Senate Judiciary Committee on the nomination of Thomas Durkin to fill a pending vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. His nomination is expected to receive a vote in the committee within the next few weeks. If approved, his nomination will receive a vote by the full Senate. "Tom Durkin has the ability, experience and integrity to serve … Continue Reading