Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Military and Veterans
Durbin Statement on President's Announcement of Troop Withdrawal from Iraq
[CHICAGO, IL] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today, after President Obama announced his decision to remove all American troops from Iraq by the end of this year: "During the President's announcement today, he stated what most Americans feel: we are so proud of what our troops have done." "We have made great sacrifices for the country of Iraq: $1 trillion has been spent on the war there, 4,400 American lives have been lost there, … Continue Reading
October 21, 2011
Durbin, Kirk Extend Impact Aid Funding Formula For Schools Serving The Great Lakes Naval Base
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee has approved a bill that will extend the practice of allowing the five public schools serving the Great Lakes Naval Training Base to pool their students to maximize federal education assistance through the Impact Aid program. The legislation also allows North Chicago to remain eligible for heavily impacted status for the next five years. … Continue Reading
September 06, 2011
As a Result of Durbin-authored Law, Family Caregivers Of Veterans Start Receiving Financial Assistance
[CHICAGO, IL] - Hundreds of families who have taken on the enormous task of caring for America's most seriously wounded warriors are now receiving financial assistance through the Department of Veterans Affairs' Family Caregiver Program, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today. The Family Caregiver Program provides technical, financial and practical support to family caregivers of post-9/11 veterans seriously injured in the line of duty. To date, 36 Illinois families are participating in … Continue Reading
August 24, 2011
Illinois Officials Announce Silver Cross Victory for Area Vets
[JOLIET, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today were joined by Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-11th) in celebrating a long-anticipated agreement to transform the emergency room facility at Joliet's Silver Cross Hospital into a 60,000 square foot outpatient mega-clinic for area veterans. Lawmakers began lobbying for the project three years ago after Silver Cross announced it would be moving its current operations to New … Continue Reading
August 18, 2011
Durbin Lauds Obama Administration Announcement on Dream Act Deportation Cases
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, in a letter to Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and 21 other Senators, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that the Administration has established a new process for handling the deportation cases of DREAM Act students and other sympathetic individuals. If fully implemented, the new process should stop virtually all DREAM Act deportations. "The Obama Administration has made the right decision in changing the way they … Continue Reading
August 11, 2011
Senator Durbin and Senator Murray Call on VA to Provide Answers About Privacy, Safety, and Security of Homeless Female Veterans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) sent a joint letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki expressing their concern about the placement of homeless female veterans in unsecure housing in Chicago, which jeopardized their safety. The Senators' letter asks the VA for assurances that homeless female veterans across the country who are being cared for by the Department are … Continue Reading
August 03, 2011
Durbin Announces More Than $1 Million in Homeless Prevention Grants for Illinois Veterans
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded $1,159,122 in homeless prevention grants to two Illinois organizations that serve homeless and at-risk veteran families. The funding is provided through the new Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. "Last night, in Illinois alone, more than 1,000 homeless veterans were on the street," said Durbin. "We must ensure that when our brave men and women … Continue Reading
July 20, 2011
Durbin: Senate Approves More Than $146 Million for Military Construction Projects in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate has approved $146,742,000 in federal funding for military construction projects in Illinois. These projects were included in President Obama's FY2012 Budget and supported by Durbin. The Fiscal Year 2012 Appropriations Bill for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs includes funding for the following Illinois projects: Army National Guard Readiness Center, Normal, Illinois. $10,000,000 to … Continue Reading
July 14, 2011
Illinois & Iowa Delegation Members to General: Any Proposal to Relocate JMTC Would Face Bipartisan Resistance in Congress
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The bipartisan, bi-state delegation that represents the Rock Island Arsenal today made clear to General Ann Dunwoody, the Commanding General of the Army Materiel Command, that any proposal to close or relocate Rock Island Arsenal's Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) would be met with strong resistance in Congress. In a meeting in Washington, Dunwoody reassured the Illinois and Iowa delegation that the Army currently has no plans to close the JMTC, but could … Continue Reading
July 12, 2011
Durbin, Bennet, Religious Leaders Announce DREAM Act Sabbath
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and more than a dozen religious leaders representing a broad variety of faith traditions, today announced a DREAM Act Sabbath - an initiative enlisting churches, synagogues, and mosques around the country to dedicate time during their regular weekly worship service to a conversation about the DREAM Act. The nationwide event will talk place this fall on September 23rd, September 24th, and … Continue Reading
July 08, 2011
Illinois Lawmakers Ask Army Corps to Expedite Permit Process Ahead of Metro East Levees Meeting
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following yesterday's meeting with the head of the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District Council, Les Sterman, Illinois lawmakers today asked Assistant Secretary Jo-Ellen Darcy of the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the approval process for upgrades to the Metro East levees system and ensure that the repairs are done quickly and cost-effectively. Over the last few weeks, Sterman and others have alerted the members of potential delays in the approval … Continue Reading
July 05, 2011
Durbin: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves More Than $146 Million for Military Construction Projects in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, has approved $146,742,000 in federal funding for military construction projects in Illinois. These projects were included in President Obama's FY2012 Budget and supported by Durbin. The Fiscal Year 2012 Appropriations Bill for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs includes funding for the following Illinois projects: Great Lakes Naval Station, … Continue Reading
June 28, 2011
Opening Remarks at the First-ever Senate Hearing on the DREAM Act
Thousands of immigrant students in the United States were brought to the United States as children. It was not their decision to come to this country, but they grew up here pledging allegiance to our flag and singing our national anthem. They are American in their hearts. The DREAM Act would give these young people a chance to earn legal status if they have good moral character and go to college or serve in the military. The DREAM Act would make America a stronger country by giving … Continue Reading
June 24, 2011
Durbin Announces First-Ever Senate Hearing on the Dream Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that he will chair the first-ever Senate hearing on the DREAM Act next Tuesday, June 28th, at 10:00 am ET. The hearing will be in room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building. "I've been working on the DREAM Act for over ten years," Durbin said. "In that time, it's been reported out of committee by a large bipartisan margin, passed the House of Representatives, and received a bipartisan majority vote in … Continue Reading
June 22, 2011
Durbin Statement on Plan to Begin Drawdown of US Forces in Afghanistan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement tonight, after President Obama announced plans to begin the drawdown of American forces in Afghanistan: "The President's announcement that we will withdraw 30,000 of our 100,000 troops from Afghanistan by next summer is a step towards the end of this long war." "We invaded Afghanistan to end al Qaeda and with the killing of Osama bin Laden and his top lieutenants, we have … Continue Reading
June 21, 2011
Durbin Votes to Confirm Leon Panetta as New Secretary of Defense
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Just before the Senate unanimously confirmed Leon Panetta as the next Secretary of Defense today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the floor of the United States Senate to express his strong support of Panetta's nomination. Earlier this month, Durbin met with Panetta to discuss his nomination, concerns about an internal Army task force potentially recommending closure of the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) at Rock Island Arsenal, and Durbin's DREAM … Continue Reading
June 21, 2011
Durbin, Kirk, Shimkus, Johnson, Schock, Schilling Ask Air Force to Explore Flying Missions for the 183rd Fighter Wing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today were joined by Congressmen John Shimkus (R-IL-19), Tim Johnson (R-IL-15), Aaron Schock (R-IL-18) and Bobby Schilling (R-IL-17) in sending a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley asking that a flying mission be identified for the Illinois Air National Guard's 183rd Fighter Wing in Springfield. In addition, the Illinois members asked that the 183rd be given an extension to continue firefighting … Continue Reading
June 16, 2011
Durbin Statement on Congressional Responsibility in Matters of War
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the floor of the United States Senate about Congress' responsibility in matters of war, currently our involvement in Libya. Throughout his tenure in Congress, regardless of who was in the White House, Durbin has consistently argued that Congress should have a voice in determining when the United States sends its sons and daughters into armed conflict. "I think the President is right in what he is doing in Libya," said … Continue Reading
June 09, 2011
Illinois / Iowa Delegation Sends Letter to the President on the Assistant Secretary at the Office for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology
[WASHINGTON, DC] - The bi-state delegation that represents the Rock Island Arsenal, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) along with Congressmen Bobby Schilling (R-IL-17), Bruce Braley (D-IA-01) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02) today sent a letter to President Barack Obama following Dr. Malcolm O'Neill's recent resignation as the U.S. Army Assistant Secretary at the Office for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, ASA (ALT). In their letter, … Continue Reading
June 07, 2011
Army Secretary to Illinois / Iowa Delegation: No Proposal to Close JMTC at This Time
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The bipartisan, bi-state delegation that represents the Rock Island Arsenal today received assurances from Secretary of the Army John McHugh that the Army currently has no plans to close the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) at Rock Island Arsenal. Today's letter was sent in response to a May 26th letter sent by the delegation called for a meeting with McHugh to discuss their concerns about the cost associated with conducting such a move as well as the … Continue Reading