Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Jobs and the Economy
Durbin Announces More Than $4.5 Million in Funding For Energy Efficiency Projects in Chicagoland
WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $4,592,900 in Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) funding to MicroLink Devices, based in Niles, Illinois, and Gas Technology Institute based in Des Plaines, Illinois. MicroLink Devices will receive $3,600,000 in funding and Gas Technology Institute will receive $992,900 in funding. The funding will be used to develop new solar energy converters and storage systems … Continue Reading
January 28, 2014
Durbin Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today following President Obama's State of the Union address: "Tonight the President gave an optimistic speech about opportunity for American families, an economy on the rise and leveled a call to action to ensure this is a year of progress for the middle class." "From programs to grow the economy and create jobs like the launching of new manufacturing institutes and infrastructure … Continue Reading
January 28, 2014
Durbin Meets with Illinois Servicemember Who Will Be His Guest for the State of the Union
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (HM3) Joseph Marcinkowski from Batavia, Illinois who will be his guest for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address later this evening. Durbin has invited Illinois servicemembers who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as his guests to the State of the Union since 2005 when he hosted Army Major Tammy Duckworth. HM3 Marcinkowski will also attend the Secretary of the Senate's … Continue Reading
January 23, 2014
Durbin, Senators Call on EPA to Support Rural America's Economy, Environment & Revise Fuel Standards Proposal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Al Franken (D-MN), John Thune (R-SD), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and twenty-six of their Senate colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy yesterday urging the agency to firmly support the future of biofuels and revise its proposed waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Senators shared their concerns regarding the proposed rule's potential impact on … Continue Reading
January 22, 2014
Durbin, Foster Announce More Than $1 Million Investment in Naperville First-Responder Capabilities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Bill Foster (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded a $1,002,000 grant to the Naperville Fire Department in Naperville, Illinois for hiring initiatives aimed at increasing the number of frontline firefighters. "Today's grant will ensure that when fires or other emergencies occur, firefighters and first-responders will always … Continue Reading
January 13, 2014
Durbin, Bustos: Robust Funding for Prison Activation in Omnibus Appropriations Bill Is Good News for Thomson
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (IL-17) today announced that the Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2014, which was filed in the House and Senate earlier today, includes funding for the activation of the Thomson correctional facility in Thomson, Illinois. The bill, which reflects a budget agreement between the House and Senate must now be voted on in both chambers and signed into law by President Obama. Though today's … Continue Reading
January 13, 2014
Durbin, Bustos: Omnibus Appropriations Bill Improves Rock Island Arsenal Competativeness, Ensures Steady Workload in Future
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) today announced that the Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2014, which was filed in the House and Senate earlier today includes two provisions that will help solidify the future of Rock Island Arsenal. The bill, which reflects a budget agreement between the House and Senate, must now be voted on by both chambers of Congress and signed into law by President Obama. "As a result of the … Continue Reading
January 10, 2014
Durbin Announces More Than $2.9 Million for Illinois Housing Development and Self-Sufficiency Programs
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that communities across Illinois will receive a total of $2,953,707 in grant funding through two programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency (PH-FSS) Program and the Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program develop strategies which help families learn skills, gain experience, and obtain … Continue Reading
January 09, 2014
Durbin, Kirk React to Denial of Federal Public Assistance for Southern and Central Illinois Counties
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today expressed disappointment after receiving word that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied the State of Illinois' request for Public Assistance to help nine Illinois counties recover from the deadly tornadoes that struck the state on November 17, 2013. The State of Illinois plans to appeal the decision. "This was some of the worst storm damage I have ever seen," said Durbin. "While the … Continue Reading
January 08, 2014
Durbin, Quinn, Branstad Discuss Illinois Impact of EPA Renewable Fuel Standard Proposal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following individual phone conversations today with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad regarding the importance of the biofuels and ethanol industry to Illinois jobs and the economy, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reiterated his strong opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) current proposal reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Quinn recently took over chairmanship of the … Continue Reading
January 08, 2014
On Fiftieth Anniversary of the War on Poverty, Durbin Calls for a Renewed Commitment to Creating Opportunity for All Americans
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Fifty years after President Lyndon Johnson declared a "War on Poverty," U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate Floor today to call for a renewed commitment to the government social safety net programs that have helped lift millions of Americans out of poverty. Today, Durbin asked his Senate colleagues from both sides of the aisle to consider legislative efforts to expand opportunity for all Americans, including increasing the minimum wage and extending emergency … Continue Reading
December 19, 2013
Durbin Discusses Priorities for Creating Jobs and Growing America's Middle Class
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a press conference with Senate Democratic Leadership, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) discussed Senate Democrats' commitment to creating jobs and providing economic certainty for America's middle class. Senator Durbin spoke on several issues including extending federal unemployment benefits, helping hardworking families tackle the burden of student loan debt, and raising the federal minimum wage. The first bill the Senate will consider when it returns in January … Continue Reading
December 11, 2013
Durbin: Biofuels Critical to Achieving Energy Independence, Protecting Our Environment, and Supportin Rural Economy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following an oversight hearing today held by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reiterated his commitment to working with his Congressional colleagues and Illinois' industry stakeholders to improve the proposal. The biofuels industry is a major job creator, especially in rural … Continue Reading
December 11, 2013
Durbin: Amtrak Ridership in Illinois is on the Rise
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As Amtrak ridership numbers continue to grow, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with Amtrak Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Coscia and former Mayor of Macomb, Illinois and current member of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Thomas Carper. A photo of today's meeting is available here. "Amtrak made incredible progress under Chairman Carper's leadership, and we have already seen that trend continue with Chairman Coscia," Durbin said. "Congress must also do its … Continue Reading
December 05, 2013
Durbin Visits Macomb Transit Facility
[MACOMB, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited the Macomb Transit Facility today to see firsthand how the new facility is functioning as a central hub for mass transit service in McDonough County. The facility was built from repurposed factory space with the help of a $12.8 million federal investment, including $5.6 million in earmarks secured by Durbin beginning in 2002. "The Macomb Transit Facility is an example of the value of federal investment in transportation projects," … Continue Reading
December 05, 2013
Durbin Visits Carl Sandburg Community College to Discuss Closing "Skills Gap"
[GALESBURG, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited Carl Sandburg Community College (CSCC) today to discuss legislation he introduced to help community colleges train workers for high-needs technical jobs, many of which are currently going unfilled due to a lack of qualified employees in the workforce. Durbin toured labs and met with students in CSCC's medical imaging, electrical, and diesel programs. He also talked with representatives from the BNSF Railroad, which has partnered with … Continue Reading
December 03, 2013
Durbin Tours Gifford Tornado Damage
[GIFFORD, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Gifford to take a firsthand look at the damage from last month's tornado and get an update on the recovery efforts from IEMA. "The tornado damage that I saw firsthand here in Gifford and last month in Washington is some of the worst I have ever seen," Durbin said. "The rebuilding process will be a lengthy one, but I wanted to come to Gifford today to see that recovery in action and learn what more I can do to help. President … Continue Reading
December 02, 2013
Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Decision Not to Consider Online Sales Tax Collection Case
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after learning the Supreme Court has decided not to consider a case involving whether states can require the collection of sales and use taxes already owed under state law by out-of-state businesses under the Commerce Clause. Specifically, the case involved a New York law requiring retailers with affiliate advertisers in New York but no physical presence such as a warehouse or distribution center to … Continue Reading
November 15, 2013
Durbin Statement on New EPA Renewable Standard Proposal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). "The Renewable Fuel Standard has long been a successful driver of investment in the biofuels industry - a key tool in domestic energy independence - which supports more than 5,400 direct jobs in Illinois alone. Reducing the standard as the EPA … Continue Reading
November 14, 2013
Durbin Announces Nearly $3.9 Million in HUD Funding for St. Clair County Housing and Community Development
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that St. Clair County communities and housing agencies will receive $3,866,426 in grant funding through two programs administered by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help develop urban communities in the area. "This federal funding will give local development agencies in St. Clair County the ability to offer affordable housing to the people in their community who need it the most," Durbin said. … Continue Reading