Press Releases
Durbin Meets With VA Nominee Robert McDonald
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with Robert McDonald, who is nominated to serve as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to discuss his nomination and the importance of at VA facilities in Illinois and across the country. McDonald was raised and went to high school in Arlington Heights, Illinois, before attending the United States Military Academy at West Point. A photo of today's meeting is available here. "Today I met with Robert McDonald, Presi… Continue Reading
07.15.14
Durbin Pays Tribute To Former Congressman From Southern Illinois Kenny Gray
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a statement for the Congressional Record, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today honored Kenny Gray, who served as the U.S. Representative for Southern Illinois from 1954 to 1989 and passed away last week at the age of 89. A World War II veteran and native of West Frankfort, Illinois, Representative Gray was elected to 10 consecutive terms in Congress and helped write the 1956 Federal-Aid Highway Act, which created America's interstate highway system. "You could never … Continue Reading
07.15.14
Senator Durbin, Governor Quinn, Mayor Emanuel, and Cook County Board President Preckwinkle Announce More Than $31 Million in HUD Disaster Recovery Funding For Chicago Area
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced that the Chicago area has been awarded a total of $31.475 million in funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs' (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program. This funding was made available through the FY2013 Sandy Supplemental Appropriations Bill, passed by Congress last year, and … Continue Reading
07.14.14
Durbin Visits Child Refugees, Urges Congressional Approval of President's Emergency Funding Request
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited child refugees who are being temporarily housed in the Chicagoland area under the care of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Heartland Alliance. The refugee children, the majority of whom are from Central America, have crossed the Mexico border into the United States unaccompanied. "The child refugee crisis on the border is a human tragedy. Thousands of children are fleeing their homes, largely from areas ridden with vi… Continue Reading
07.11.14
Durbin, Walsh, Stabenow, and Pryor Introduce Bill That Closes Corporate Tax Loophole and Brings Jobs Back to America
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators John Walsh (D-MT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Mark Pryor (D-AR) introduced today that the Bring Jobs Home Act to close the tax loophole for corporations that ship jobs overseas and extend tax credits to those companies that return jobs back to America The bill would close a tax loophole that encourages companies to ship jobs overseas and establish a tax credit for costs associated with relocating their operations to the U.… Continue Reading
07.10.14
Durbin Announces A More Than $1.8 Million Investment In Illinois First-Responder Capabilities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $1,831,128 in grants to seven communities throughout Illinois. Today's funding will support and improve the capability of each department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "This federal funding will ensure that when fires or other emergencies occur in our communities, our nation's firefighters an… Continue Reading
07.10.14
Lawmakers Want Safety Caps On Liquid Nicotine For E-Cigarettes
[WASHINGON, D.C.] The stuff is called Cotton Candy, Fruity Loops and even Gummi Bear. But this particular stuff is not a pack of bubble gum or bag of fruit chews you might see as you check out at your local convenience store. It is, in fact, a highly toxic and still-unregulated form of concentrated liquid nicotine for use in vapor devices including so-called e-cigarettes. And it's hitting the marketplace nationwide in easy-to-open vials and small eye-dropper bottles available for purchas… Continue Reading
07.10.14
Senators: Corporations Must Give Workers and Retirees Fair Treatment In Bankruptcy
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Al Franken (D-MN) introduced legislation today to curb abuses that deprive employees and retirees of their earnings and retirement savings when businesses collapse. The Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act would make several changes to Chapter 11 bankruptcy law, putting workers' interests near the top when companies file for bankruptcy. A companio… Continue Reading
07.10.14
Durbin Hosts Illinois Members At Delegation Luncheon Honoring Alan Dixon
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation at the ninth Illinois Congressional Delegation Luncheon of the 113th Congress. Today's luncheon was held in honor of former U.S. Senator from Illinois Alan Dixon, who helped found the tradition of the Delegation Luncheon over 25 years ago. Today's luncheon carries on the tradition of cooperation and camaraderie that has long existed between Illinois members of Congress, and that was… Continue Reading
07.09.14
Durbin, Schneider Announce A Critical Investment In North Chicago First-Responder Capabilities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), awarded a $175,500 grant to the North Chicago Fire Department. This funding will support and improve the capability of North Chicago's first-responders to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "We must ensure our nation's fire fighters and first-responders are equipped w… Continue Reading
07.09.14
Durbin, Kelly Announce A More Than $184,000 Investment In Markham First-Responder Capabilities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), awarded a $184,042 grant to the City of Markham, Illinois. This funding will support and improve the capability of the Markham Fire Department's first-responders to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "We must ensure our nation's fire fighters and first-responders are equ… Continue Reading
07.09.14
Durbin: We Must Keep Guns Out Of The Hands Of Criminals
DURBIN: WE MUST KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF CRIMINALS Senator introduces an amendment that would strengthen federal criminal penalties for straw purchasers and illegal traffickers of firearms [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following a violent Fourth of July weekend in Chicago, and to address the nationwide epidemic of gun violence, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced an amendment that would strengthen federal criminal penalties for straw purchasers and illegal traffickers of firearms. M… Continue Reading
07.09.14
Durbin Statement on The Death of Former Judge Stanley J. Roszkowski
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today released the following statement after learning of the death of Stanley J. Roszkowski, former Federal Judge in the Northern District of Illinois. Roszkowski who served in combat as a member of a bomber crew in World War II, played a key role in bringing to Rockford a new federal courthouse that now bears his name. "Judge Stanley Roszkowski was a great American who dedicated his life in service to his country. A native Illinoisan, he volu… Continue Reading
07.09.14
Durbin Issues Warning To Illinois Students: Stop Enrolling At Everest Campuses
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that Corinthian Colleges, Inc. which operates under the name "Everest College" plans to seek buyers for its six campuses in Illinois located in Burr Ridge, Bedford Park, Melrose Park, Merrionette Park, North Aurora and Skokie. As part of an agreement signed with the Department of Education, Corinthian is required to eventually send official disclosures and notifications to students, but for the time being has been allowed to c… Continue Reading
07.09.14
Durbin Announces A More Than $285,000 Investment In Illinois Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded a $285,634 grant to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, located in Chicago, Illinois, to help assist in the development and implementation of up to three substance abuse treatment programs in correctional and detention facilities across the state. The grant was awarded through DOJ's Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program. … Continue Reading
07.09.14
Durbin Announces A More Than $78,000 Investment in Illinois Community and Law Enforcement Efforts
DURBIN ANNOUNCES A MORE THAN $78,000 INVESTMENT IN ILLINOIS COMMUNITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SAFETY [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded a total of $78,399 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to the communities in Illinois to support local law enforcement efforts. This funding will be used to purchase updated equipment, help retain personnel, and support prosecution and court programs. "Toda… Continue Reading
07.08.14
Durbin Speaks On Senate Floor Regarding Continuing Toll Of Gun Violence in Chicago, Across America
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today during a speech on the U.S. Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) discussed the violent July 4th weekend in Chicago and urged his colleagues in the Senate to stop ignoring the toll gun violence is taking in America. He called on the Senate to hold another vote on background check legislation which would help prevent firearms reaching the hands of those who are mentally-ill or a convicted felon. Durbin also highlighted the impact straw purchasing has on the issu… Continue Reading
07.08.14
Durbin Statement On The Weekend Events in Jerusalem
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the abduction and murder of Muhammad Hussein Abu Khdeir and the detention of Tariq Khdeir, an American citizen. "It is tragic to learn of the senseless and brutal murder of Muhammad Hussein Abu Khdeir, the innocent young Palestinian whose life was cut short over the weekend. His death and the brutal beating of his American cousin, Tariq Khdeir, follow last week's equally senseless killing o… Continue Reading
07.08.14
Durbin Pays Tribute On Senate Floor To Friend & Former Senator From Illinois Alan Dixon
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today paid tribute on the United States Senate Floor to the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator from Illinois Alan Dixon. Dixon, who was known affectionately by friends and colleagues as "Al the Pal," served two terms in the Senate. "I would like to take a moment to speak about an old friend," Durbin said. "Sadly, Alan Dixon died Sunday morning in his sleep. So today, instead of celebrating my old friend's birthday, I would like to take… Continue Reading
07.08.14
Durbin: Scott AFB Named As Finalist To House Critical New Defense Facility
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, announced today that the Department of Defense has named Scott Air Force Base as a finalist to house a new facility for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). The current NGA facility - which includes multiple buildings located in downtown St. Louis, Missouri - is more than 100 years old. The aging buildings at the NGA's current location require high maintenance costs, and … Continue Reading