Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Jobs and the Economy
Durbin: Sequester Poses Imminent Threat to Bio-Medical Research in Illinois
[CHICAGO, IL] - Illinois' leading research universities and hospitals stand to lose nearly $40 million in funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH) as a result of the sequestration budget cuts that take hold today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said at a news conference at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Illinois received a total of $746 million in NIH funding last year. "Sequestration was meant as a budget threat, not a budget strategy, and the cuts to … Continue Reading
February 25, 2013
Durbin, Enyart Meet with Scott Air Force Base Leaders to Discuss Ways to Maintain Base's Long-Term Strength
[SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Bill Enyart (D-IL-12) today met with leaders at Scott Air Force Base to discuss the base's long-term strength and security. Durbin, who was recently named Chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Enyart were briefed on Scott's priorities, the future needs and the support necessary for the base to sustain its long-term health by Base Commander Colonel David Almand, General Paul Silva, the … Continue Reading
February 14, 2013
Members of Congress Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Level the Playing Field for Local Merchants
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A bipartisan group of 53 Senators and Representatives today introduced a bill that resolves the differences between bills introduced in the Senate and the House of Representatives last Congress that would allow local brick-and-mortar retailers to compete more effectively against out-of-state internet sellers. The Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 would give states the option to require the collection of sales and use taxes already owed under State law by out-of-state … Continue Reading
January 25, 2013
Durbin to Chair Defense Appropriations Subcommittee
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that he will become the Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee when the panel organizes early next month. With the exception of military construction programs, the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee oversees funding for the military and intelligence community, our national security requirements and the daily needs of over two million active duty and reserve servicemembers. The Subcommittee also … Continue Reading
December 19, 2012
Durbin Asks Energy Secretary to Approve Next Phase of FutureGen 2.0 Project in Meredosia
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following a vote today by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) in favor of the power purchase agreement for the power that will be generated by the FutureGen plant in Meredosia, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) asked Energy Secretary Steven Chu to approve the next phase of the FutureGen 2.0 project which includes preliminary design, pre-construction and engineering. "The ICC's decision today solidifies the FutureGen plant's financial viability. I thank Governor … Continue Reading
December 11, 2012
Durbin Meetins with Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Director of Agriculture
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson and Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Robert Flider to discuss the potential disruption of navigation on the Mississippi River due to historic low water levels, and steps that are being taken to minimize the impact this would have on Illinois farming communities. The Mississippi River is a critical transportation artery for essential commodities, such as corn, grain and … Continue Reading
December 06, 2012
Durbin Meets with Illinois State Legislators to Discuss Bipartisan Marketplace Fairness Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Illinois State Senators Pamela Althoff (R-Crystal Lake) and Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) to discuss the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would level the playing field for small businesses by allowing local brick-and-mortar retailers to compete more effectively against out-of-state internet sellers. The legislation was introduced by Senators Durbin, Mike Enzi (R-WY), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and a bipartisan group of 7 other … Continue Reading
December 05, 2012
Bi-State Delegation Announces that Senate Approves Provisions from their Bill to Increase Workload at Rock Island Arsenal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced that major portions of their bill to help increase the workload and help ensure the long-term health of Rock Island Arsenal were included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. The bill will now go to a House-Senate Conference Committee tasked with working out the differences between the Senate version and House version of the defense … Continue Reading
November 13, 2012
Durbin: Congress Should Honor Veterans By Passing Bipartisan Legislation to Create Jobs for Veterans and Improve Mental Health Services
Senator reports over 5,150 families nationwide - including more than 130 in Illinois - are part of the Family Caregivers Program created by his legislation Senator also honors former Joliet resident and WWI veteran, Joseph Ambrose [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that Congress can and should do more to honor those who answer the call of duty and risk everything to defend America. Specifically, Durbin called on members of the Senate to put aside partisan … Continue Reading
November 09, 2012
Durbin Statement on a Bipartisan Solution to the Fiscal Cliff
[Washington, D.C.] Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today on the need for bipartisan cooperation to avoid the fiscal cliff: "The only way Congress can avoid the so-called fiscal cliff is through a balanced approach that cuts spending and raises revenue while asking millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share. That is the approach the American people have shown they support and it long-past time for both parties to come together and … 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
August 15, 2012
Durbin: Secretary of Agriculture Declares Entire State of Illinois Eligible for Drought Relief
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, for declaring the remaining Illinois counties and their surrounding areas eligible for emergency USDA assistance. Last month, Durbin joined Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and eighteen members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in supporting Governor Pat Quinn's request for the entire state to receive this designation. "This designation will help Illinois … Continue Reading
August 14, 2012
Durbin Announces $1.25 Million Investment to Grow New Air Service at Central Illinois Airports
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that airports in Bloomington-Normal, Springfield and Champaign-Urbana have received a total of $1,250,000 in grants to grow new air service between these Central Illinois airports and the East Coast. Today's grants were awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)'s Small Community Air Service Development Program which was established by Congress in 2002 to help small, underserved airports around the country … 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 Meets with Illinois Corn Growers to Discuss Ongoing Drought and Agriculture Priorities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with members of the Illinois Corn Growers yesterday to discuss current drought conditions in Illinois, as well as the Senate's recently passed bipartisan 2012 Farm Bill and other agricultural priorities. "Last weekend, I saw firsthand the impact that drought conditions and record-breaking temperatures have had on Illinois crops. Illinois' corn growers are a critical part of our state's economy, which means we must make certain that … Continue Reading
July 18, 2012
Durbin Invites Members of Illinois Job Training Program to Address Senators in Washington, DC
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Partners in Harper College's new Advanced Manufacturing Training Program were invited by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to speak today at a meeting of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee about their innovative job training and certification program. Developed in close partnership with regional manufacturers, Harper's program helps workers develop the skills they need to find employment in their communities and fill critical job openings at growing … Continue Reading
July 13, 2012
Durbin Announces $4.7 Million Federal Grant for Chicago Rockford Airport
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) has received $4,792,402 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Airport Improvement Program for runway and taxiway rehabilitation. Upgrades to the runway will allow the airport to accommodate current and additional air cargo activity. The Chicago Rockford International Airport is currently ranked one of the most active air cargo airports in the United … 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