Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief Bill with United Airlines CEO

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke with United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz today about the COVID-19 pandemic's continued impact on the airline industry and how the company is planning to use its federal relief funding to help workers and protect consumers during this unprecedented crisis. "I urged United Airlines to do everything it can to protect the jobs of employees that work for them during this unprecedented public health and economic crisis," Durbin said. "United has a majo… Continue Reading

Durbin, Rosen, Colleagues Request Language in Annual Spending Bill Barring Funding for the Arrest, Detention, or Deportation of Dreamers or TPS Recipients

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), led 18 of their colleagues in a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee requesting that language be included in the Fiscal Year 2021 annual spending bill to prohibit the u… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Availability of Protective Masks With EPA Region 5 Administrator

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), on a call with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede, asked about the agency's supply of N-95 masks and whether they could be given to hospitals and health care workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois. Durbin pushed Administrator Thiede about whether EPA's warehouse in suburban Chicago had an available supply of N-95 masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE). The EPA indicated that the agency … Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief Bill With Illinois AFL-CIO

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with Tim Drea, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO, and the Illinois AFL-CIO executive committee. On a call with the Illinois AFL-CIO, Durbin discussed how the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will help workers who are impacted by the pandemic. The bill provides direct cash payments to Americans and significantly expands unemployment insurance. "Democrats h… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief Bill With Illinois Chamber of Commerce

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined a call with leaders of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to discuss provisions to assist small, medium, and large businesses in the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act provides $350 billion in forgivable loans and $10 billion in emergency grants for small businesses, as well as $500 billion in loan assistance for mid-sized and large nonprofits and businesses, including airlines. "Thi… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Urge Administration to Address Child Care Needs of Frontline Workers

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and a number of their colleagues in urging the Office of Child Care at the Department of Health and Human Services to take additional steps to expand child care options for health care workers and others on the frontlines responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as provide critical guidance to child care providers to ensure that they are taking appropriate action to minimize the risk … Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Threat at Federal Prisons With BOP Director

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Michael Carvajal to discuss how he plans to protect BOP staff and inmates at facilities across the country as the COVID-19 pandemic has spread to federal prisons. Despite this threat, the Trump Administration has not yet requested any additional funding for BOP to prepare for and combat the pandemic. "Vulnerable staff and inmates at federal prisons are starting to contract COVID-19, and it's i… Continue Reading

Durbin Urges FDA and HHS to Increase Personal Protective Equipment Supplies for Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), on a call with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, discussed efforts to increase personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing capacity to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois. Durbin pushed Commissioner Hahn and Secretary Azar to do everything they can to increase access to safe and effective personal protective equipment, COVID-19 testing kit su… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Discuss COVID-19 Response With Rock Island Arsenal

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), today discussed how the U.S. Army is utilizing the Rock Island Arsenal to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with the Army Materiel Command's General Gustave Perna and Executive Deputy to the Commanding General Lisha Adams. On a call with General Perna and Ms. Adams, the members asked how the manufacturing capabilities at Rock Island Arsenal could be used as part … Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Urge CMS to Approve Illinois' Request to Expand Medicaid Coverage, Lift Barriers During COVID-19 Pandemic

WASHINGTON - Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to swiftly approve the State of Illinois' 1115(a) Medicaid waiver request, so the state can expand access to essential health services for nearly 800,000 people and have the flexibility to deliver quality care amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "Specifically, the 1115(a) demonstration waiver would…remove financial barriers to pati… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Stimulus Bill with American Airlines CEO

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke with American Airlines CEO Doug Parker today about the COVID-19 pandemic's continued impact on the airline industry and how the company is planning to use its federal relief funding to help workers and protect consumers during this unprecedented crisis. "The airline industry is facing a greater threat than 9/11, threatening the jobs of thousands in Illinois. The stimulus bill passed last week included strong protections for workers in the airl… Continue Reading

Durbin, Nadler, Feinstein, Lofgren Demand DHS Give Due Process As Required by Law to Unaccompanied Children During COVID-19 Outbreak

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, along with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and House Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf regarding reports that DHS is violating the Trafficking Victim Protect… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Coronavirus Relief Bill With Illinois Legislative Leaders

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the Senate-passed Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act with Illinois legislative leaders, including Illinois Speaker Mike Madigan, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, Illinois House Leader Jim Durkin, and Illinois Senate Leader Bill Brady. Durbin shared how the federal bill, which provides $150 billion in direct federal grant funding to state and local governments, can assist the State in its COVID-19 response. I… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Statement on Major Disaster Declaration in Illinois in Response to COVID-19

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statements after President Donald Trump approved Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's request for a major disaster declaration for the State of Illinois to help the State respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The State had requested Individual Assistance (IA) for all 102 counties to support Illinoisans as the pandemic continues. "The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything Illinois has faced in recent mem… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Outline Illinois Priorities Included in Senate-Passed Bipartisan COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Bill

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statements after the Senate unanimously passed the third coronavirus stimulus package - the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass tomorrow. "This historic bill puts heath care workers and hospitals first, providing the vital resources they'll need to care for Illinoisans affected by this virus… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Bipartisan Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate passed, on a bipartisan basis, the third coronavirus stimulus package - the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act: "America and Illinois, help is on the way. "After two emergency bills were enacted with strong, bipartisan support, I'm glad the Senate, on a bipartisan basis, passed this third, historic funding bill. "Like all compromises, this bill is not perf… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Coronavirus Response With Military Leaders

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today spoke with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy, and Army Chief of Staff General James McConville to discuss the military's coronavirus response efforts. Durbin discussed the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and medical support, and asked about continued support for the State … Continue Reading

Durbin Highlights Improvements Senate Democrats Secured in Third Coronavirus Stimulus Package

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today highlighted the improvements Senate Democrats were able to secure in the third coronavirus stimulus package - the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Senate Democrats made these significant improvements, among others, to the partisan bill Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) originally introduced: Increases unemployment benefits for four months and expands unemplo… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Urge President Trump to Support State's Request for a Major Disaster Declaration in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sent a letter to President Donald Trump supporting Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's request for a major disaster declaration for the State of Illinois to help the State respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The State has requested Individual Assistance (IA) for all 102 counties to support Illinoisans as the pandemic continues. "Governor Pritzker has indicated that this pandemic is of such severity and magnitude that effe… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $3.6 Million in Federal Funding to Help Illinois Health Centers Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois received $3.6 million in federal grants to support 45 Community Health Centers (CHCs) in their COVID-19 response efforts. This funding comes from the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which was signed into law on March 6, 2020. Health centers will now be able to use the funding to help increase COVID-19 screening and testing needs, acquire medical supplies a… Continue Reading