Press Releases
Durbin Joins Central Illinois Young Farmers To Discuss Food Supply Protection During COVID-19 Pandemic
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined a conference call with members of the National Young Farmers Coalition Central Illinois Chapter to discuss their experiences as young farmers working during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they've supported food access in their communities. Durbin is an original cosponsor of the Food Supply Protection Act, a bill that would help strengthen the food supply chain, protect workers, reduce food waste, and support both farmers and families … Continue Reading
September 04, 2020
Durbin Discusses Broadband Access During COVID-19 Pandemic With Leadership Council Of Southwestern Illinois
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today virtually joined the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois for their monthly Board of Directors meeting to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the region and expanding access to broadband. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimates that 21 million Americans lack high-speed internet access, but with the FCC relying on flawed broadband mapping data, the number of Americans without internet access is likely much higher. … Continue Reading
September 03, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth, Casten, Davis Lead Illinois Delegation In Urging HHS To Expand Use Of University Of Illinois' COVID-19 Saliva-Based Testing Initiative
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Rodney Davis (R-IL-13) today led the Illinois Congressional Delegation in sending a bipartisan letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging federal resources to support the expansion of SHIELD T3, an innovative system of COVID-19 testing and tracing, developed by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex … Continue Reading
September 03, 2020
Durbin To Operation Warp Speed Vaccine Companies: How Will You Ensure Scientific Integrity In Face Of Political Pressure From President Trump?
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent letters to each pharmaceutical company with a vaccine candidate under Operation Warp Speed asking how they plan to maintain scientific and data-based standards in the face of White House political pressure regarding the COVID-19 vaccine approval process. In letters to Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Pfizer, Novavax, and Janssen (part of Johnson & Johnson), Durbin highlighted how President … Continue Reading
September 03, 2020
Durbin Meets With Chicago Area Hong Kong Democracy Activists
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today had a virtual meeting with Chicago area Hong Kong democracy activists to discuss the undermining of democracy, media freedom, and rule of law in Hong Kong. Durbin is a cosponsor of the bipartisan Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent last year. Durbin is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act, which grants refugee status to Hong Kong residents at risk of … Continue Reading
September 03, 2020
Durbin, Leading Senate Dems Demand Immediate U.S. Sanctions For Russian Interference In 2020 Elections
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined leading Senate Democrats today in calling on the U.S. Treasury Department to sanction Russian individuals and government actors for their interference in the 2020 election. Along with Durbin, today's letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was also signed by Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Banking Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Intelligence … Continue Reading
September 02, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $25.5 Million For Airport Improvements Around Illinois
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $25.5 million in federal funding for airport improvements around Illinois. The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants and will be used for a variety of critical infrastructure and safety projects. "Investing in our airports is key to Illinois' economic success, … Continue Reading
September 02, 2020
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Fiscal Relief For State And Local Government With Southern Illinois Mayors Association
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke by phone with the Southern Illinois Mayors Association today about the estimated $7 billion loss in state and local revenue Illinois will see by next summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on municipal services and projects. While the Republicans' proposal for the next COVID-19 relief package includes no new state or local funding, Durbin has called for significantly increasing funding to state and local governments, … Continue Reading
September 01, 2020
Durbin, Senators To Evanina: Election Security Demands Disclosure Of Russian Threat - To Congress & The American People
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) wrote National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director William Evanina demanding substantive action to protect our elections from foreign interference. At the beginning of August, Evanina issued a vaguely cautionary public statement on foreign threats to American elections. Instead of expanding on that warning by more fully informing the … Continue Reading
September 01, 2020
Durbin, Senators To Evanina: Election Security Demands Disclosure Of Russian Threat - To Congress & The American People
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) wrote National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director William Evanina demanding substantive action to protect our elections from foreign interference. At the beginning of August, Evanina issued a vaguely cautionary public statement on foreign threats to American elections. Instead of expanding on that warning by more fully informing the … Continue Reading
September 01, 2020
Durbin Joins Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association To Discuss The Importance Of Legal Aid Services During COVID-19 Pandemic
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association, the Federal Bar Association's Chicago chapter, and the Chicago Inn of Court for a virtual conversation about current legal topics including the importance of pro bono and legal aid services, civil rights, policing reform, and voting rights. "Today, we find ourselves in the midst of a season of uncertainty in America as we confront a pandemic and its accompanying recession, a reckoning with … Continue Reading
September 01, 2020
Durbin Joins Illinois Stewardship Alliance To Discuss Relief For Local Farmers During COVID-19 Pandemic
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined a conference call with members of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance to discuss issues faced by small and local farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Durbin highlighted his support for increasing financial assistance that is tailored to local farmers who sell directly to consumers, schools, institutions, food hubs, regional distribution centers, retail markets, farmers markets, and restaurants. Congress provided $16 billion within the … Continue Reading
August 31, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $11 Million For Community Health Centers Throughout Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive $11.5 million in federal grants to support 44 Community Health Centers (CHCs) throughout the state. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services health center cluster grant program. "Community Health Centers are a critical resource for millions of Americans - particularly in racially diverse and medically underserved communities that have been … Continue Reading
August 31, 2020
Durbin Discusses Start Of New School Year During COVID-19 Pandemic With Teach For America
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with the Teach for America (TFA) Chicago-Northwest Indiana Executive Director Aneesh Sohoni about how TFA is helping Illinois school districts meet the challenges of educating during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the call, Durbin and Sohoni discussed the teacher shortage in Illinois that disproportionally impacts students from low-income backgrounds and students of color and TFA's instrumental efforts in filling these open positions to … Continue Reading
August 31, 2020
Durbin Discusses Start Of New School Year During COVID-19 Pandemic With Teach For America
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with the Teach for America (TFA) Chicago-Northwest Indiana Executive Director Aneesh Sohoni about how TFA is helping Illinois school districts meet the challenges of educating during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the call, Durbin and Sohoni discussed the teacher shortage in Illinois that disproportionally impacts students from low-income backgrounds and students of color and TFA's instrumental efforts in filling these open positions to … Continue Reading
August 31, 2020
Durbin Urges DOD To Adopt Wider Use Of University Of Illinois' COVID-19 Saliva-Based Testing Initiative
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, today urged the Department of Defense (DOD) to adopt SHIELD T3, an innovative system of COVID-19 testing and tracing developed by the University of Illinois to help monitor the health of students as they return to class this fall. In letters to Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Secretary of the Navy Kenneth Braithwaite, and Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy, Durbin … Continue Reading
August 28, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Join Democratic Colleagues In Blasting Trump Administration's Constant, Dangerous Political Interference In COVID-19 Response
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and 29 of their Democratic Senate colleagues in writing to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar criticizing the Trump Administration for their continued political interference in the COVID-19 response. The Senators warned that decisions to pressure and overrule public health experts will erode public trust and hamper efforts to respond to … Continue Reading
August 28, 2020
Durbin Discusses Paycheck Protection Program With Illinois Credit Union League
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke today with members of the Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) about negotiations on the next COVID-19 relief package and the importance of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to ensure Illinois small businesses can maintain their operations and pay their employees as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the economy. Durbin also discussed simplifying the Small Business Administration's loan forgiveness application, especially for … Continue Reading
August 28, 2020
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief With Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke by phone with Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) Chair Jerome Cataldo and American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) CEO Chip Rodgers about the next COVID-19 relief package and how to provide additional relief to better meet the needs of the hospitality industry and the greater economy. On the call, Durbin discussed his continued support for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), including the Prioritized Paycheck … Continue Reading
August 28, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $3 Million In FEMA Reimbursement Funding For COVID-19 Emergency Response In Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive $3 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offset costs related to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal funding was awarded to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) as reimbursement for implementing training and other safety measures at assisted-living, nursing, and rehabilitation facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Throughout … Continue Reading