Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Military and Veterans
Durbin Expansion of VA Caregiver Program Could Help Thousands More Family Members
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded the decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand the number of caregivers that are eligible for the Family Caregiver Program which provides technical, financial and practical support to family caregivers of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans seriously injured in the line of duty. The decision significantly improves an earlier, more restrictive draft and expands the eligibility the pool of eligible veterans from … Continue Reading
April 13, 2011
Durbin, Kirk, Costello, Shimkus: Restarting Surgeries at Marion VA is Good News for Southern Illinois Veterans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) joined Representatives Jerry Costello (D-IL) and John Shimkus (R-IL) today in saying that the announcement by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that inpatient surgeries at the Marion VA Medical Center in (VAMC) are restarting is good news for veterans in Southern Illinois. In a letter to the Illinois Members, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki expressed confidence that all necessary reviews to ensure safety and quality … Continue Reading
March 10, 2011
Durbin Statement on HELP Committee Hearing Investigating For-Profit Colleges
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today submitted a statement for the record at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing chaired by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) on Bridgepoint Education, Inc, a for-profit college company. In his statement, Durbin focused on accreditation agencies which, he says, serve as the gateway to federal funding. "As Congress works to reduce the federal deficit, we are appropriately scrutinizing federal spending," Durbin said. … Continue Reading
March 09, 2011
Durbin Calls on VA to Take More Aggressive Steps to Identify Colleges Abusing the GI Bill Program
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to take more aggressive steps to identify colleges and universities that have taken advantage of GI Bill benefits and to remove them from the program. Specifically, Durbin asked the Secretary of the VA, Eric Shinseki, to look into the fourteen other Westwood College campuses including the four that are located in Illinois. "It is appropriate to cut off federal funding from colleges … Continue Reading
March 02, 2011
Durbin: VA Disqualifies Three Westwood College Campuses From GI Bill Program
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has withdrawn education benefits from Westwood College's Houston South, Dallas and Fort Worth campuses. This announcement by the VA comes in the response to a February 14 letter to the Secretary of the VA, Eric Shinseki, in which Durbin requested a list of colleges and universities where the VA has suspended or withdrawn GI Bill and education benefits after discovering … Continue Reading
February 14, 2011
Durbin: VA Suspends GI Bill Benefits From Some For-Profit Colleges
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today asked the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for a list of colleges and universities from which it has suspended or withdrawn GI Bill and education benefits after discovering questionable recruiting practices used by these institutions. In a response to a December 2010 letter from Durbin, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki explained that the VA had taken these measures after compiling information about erroneous, deceptive or misleading … Continue Reading
February 14, 2011
Durbin To Announce Nominees for Service Academies
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the names of young men and women whom he has nominated to attend the nation's four service academies."I look forward to announcing my service academy nominations every year because the young men and women are some of their generation's most promising leaders in the State of Illinois," Durbin said. "This year's group meets that standard. I have no doubt that they will serve their country honorably and make their families proud."The … Continue Reading
January 28, 2011
Durbin Writes to Governor Quinn About Protecting Illinois Servicemembers from Excessive Mortgage Fees and Foreclosure
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today, pledging to work together to protect Illinois servicemembers from excessive mortgage fees and foreclosure. Recent news reports have raised concerns that servicemembers are being overcharged for the mortgages and foreclosed upon in violation of their legal rights. Durbin asked Quinn to do all that he can to ensure servicemembers are aware of their rights and the resources available to them. … Continue Reading
December 18, 2010
Durbin Statement on the Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate voted to repeal the discriminatory policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" - the Pentagon's ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military: "It is always a great day in America when discrimination comes to an end. The repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is an important step in America's march toward justice. With the leadership of President Obama and a strong … Continue Reading
May 19, 2010
Durbin and VA Secretary Discuss Homelessness Among Veterans in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), General Eric Shinseki, to discuss how to meet the needs of the estimated 1,500 veterans that go homeless every night in Illinois. Secretary Shinseki is scheduled to testify tomorrow at a joint hearing of two Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on his plan to reduce the number of homeless veterans in the United States by half over the … Continue Reading
May 16, 2010
Durbin: Family Caregivers of Disabled Service Members to Receive Training, Stipend
[CHICAGO, IL] -Family caregivers for veterans and service members seriously injured in the line of duty will receive training and education, a monthly stipend and counseling services as a result of legislation authored by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and signed into law last week. The Durbin-authored provision was included in the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010. "Families across America are caring each day for the 720 men and women who come … Continue Reading
May 06, 2010
Durbin Announces One-Year Extension for Firefighters at 183rd
[WASHINGTON, DC] - The F-16 maintenance mission and the National Guard firefighter unit at Springfield's Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport have been granted a one-year extension through September 2011, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today. The Adjutant General of the State of Illinois, Major General William Enyart informed Durbin of the temporary extension of the 183rd Fighter Wing's F-16 maintenance mission. "I want to thank General Enyart for … Continue Reading
April 23, 2010
Durbin: Legislation Supporting Families of Severely Disabled Service Members Approved by Congress
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that legislation to provide essential support services to family caregivers of severely disabled veterans was unanimously approved by Congress. The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009 includes a Durbin-authored provision that establishes a program to provide technical, financial and practical support to family caregivers of veterans or members of the Armed Forces seriously injured in the … Continue Reading
April 23, 2010
Durbin: Legislation to Address Quality of Care for Nation's Veterans Approved by Congress
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that legislation to provide essential support services to family caregivers of severely disabled veterans was unanimously approved by Congress. The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009 includes a Durbin-authored provision aims to improve quality control measures at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical facilities by creating a new national quality assurance officer position. This … Continue Reading
April 21, 2010
Durbin, Lugar Ask Secretary Napolitano to Stop Deportations of Dream Act Students
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today, asking her to halt deportations of immigrant students who could earn legal status under legislation they have introduced called the DREAM Act (S.729). The DREAM Act is a narrowly tailored, bipartisan measure which would permit undocumented students to become permanent legal residents if they came here as … Continue Reading
January 28, 2010
Durbin Announces Nominees for Service Academies
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the names of young men and women whom he has nominated to attend the nation's four service academies. "Each year, I look forward to announcing my nominees for the nation's service academies because the young men and women who make up this group are among the most promising young people in the state of Illinois," said Durbin. "This year was no exception. These individuals are the leaders of tomorrow, and I have no doubt that they … Continue Reading
January 27, 2010
Durbin Will Host Illinois Soldier for Today's State of the Union
[WASHINGTON, DC] - In what has become an annual tradition, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), will host a wounded soldier as his guest for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address. Sergeant First Class (SFC) John Wright from Tuscola, Illinois will also attend the Secretary of the Senate's dinner immediately preceding the President's address. Durbin has invited soldiers who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as his guests to the State of the Union since … Continue Reading
December 19, 2009
Durbin: Congress Approves $45.4 Million in Defense Funding for Projects in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the United States Senate has approved $45,400,000 in federal funding to assist defense related facilities and projects across Illinois. Durbin is a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. The legislation will now go to President Obama for his signature. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 defense spending bill includes funding for the following projects: • Columbia College … Continue Reading
December 15, 2009
Durbin, Illinois Delegation: Progress at Marion But Challenges Remain
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a meeting with members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), General Eric Shinseki, reported that several procedures have been revised at the Marion VA Medical Center and all problems identified by the Inspector General (IG) will be corrected by the end of the year. However, Secretary Shinseki cautioned that recruitment and retention of experienced personnel at Marion remains the greatest obstacle to … Continue Reading
December 14, 2009
Durbin: Congress Approves Legislation Designed to Attract Medical Professionals to Rural VA Hospitalss
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that his legislation to help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recruit and retain high-quality healthcare administrators and providers in rural areas was approved by Congress last night. The legislation was approved as part of the FY2010 Omnibus spending bill which has been sent to the President for his signature. "The care and well-being of our nation's veterans is of paramount importance to … Continue Reading