Durbin Announces $250,000 Investment In Chicago Clean Energy Sector To Spur Innovation And Development

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a $250,000 grant to the Clean Energy Trust (CET) in Chicago, Illinois to help spur entrepreneurship and boost economic development. In 2014, Durbin wrote a letter to the EDA urging the agency to consider CET's application for the DOC's Regional Innovation Grant program. A copy of that letter is available here. "Today's funding … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Retirement Announcement Of Senator Harry Reid

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding the announcement that U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) will not seek reelection in 2016: Harry Reid is one of the ablest leaders of the Senate Democratic caucus in modern history-he has served our country and the people of Nevada with a tenacity and passion rarely seen. The former boxer from Searchlight never forgot his roots and never went down without a fight. He and Landra have… Continue Reading

Durbin, Reed Applaud New Initiative To Strike Back At Growing Heroin Epidemic

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Jack Reed (D-IL) welcomed today's announcement of a new targeted initiative through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address the heroin epidemic. In December, Durbin and Reed led a group of twenty-one Senators in calling on HHS to prioritize programs that reduce heroin and other opioid overdose deaths in its national strategy to curb prescription drug abuse. Both Senators have been active in highlighting the need for exp… Continue Reading

Durbin Seeks Assistance For Granite City Steel Workers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Calling Granite City Works "a source of pride" for its employees and the Metro East, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today asked U.S. Steel CEO Mario Longhi to work with local labor leaders and the community to minimize the impact of U.S. Steel's decision to idle operations at Granite City Works and to re-open the steel plant as soon as possible. Durbin also wrote to Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez seeking federal resources for displaced steel workers from Granite City Works… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On White House, CFPB Effort To Crack Down On Predatory Lending Practices

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced plans for stronger regulations on payday lenders. President Obama is expected to address the issue in a speech later today. "For some unfortunate Americans, including our military families, payday lenders offer a quick way to make ends meet, but often with devastating consequences," said Durbin. "The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau… Continue Reading

Illinois Members Renew Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort To Bring Fairness To FEMA Disaster Declaration Process

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced with U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis (R-IL), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), John Shimkus (R-IL), Mike Bost (R-IL) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) the introduction of the Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster declaration process and bring fairness to our small communities in larger states like Illinois. Durbin and Kirk first introduced the bill… Continue Reading

Durbin Introduces Amendment To Preserve American Leadership In Biomedical And Scientific Research

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With a decline in federal biomedical and scientific research threatening our global competitiveness, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced an amendment to the FY2016 budget to preserve America's standing as a leader in discovery and innovation. During a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Durbin noted that federal funding for research and development has been on a downward trend for the past several decades. He urged his colleagues to not cut back on research that i… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With BNSF Chairman To Discuss Railway's Crude Oil By Rail Operations Following Galena Train Derailment

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following the derailment of a BNSF Railway train carrying crude oil near Galena, Illinois, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with BNSF Railway Executive Chairman Matt Rose to receive an update on the accident and to discuss the rail company's crude oil by rail operations. BNSF is the largest shipper of crude oil in North America. A photo of today's meeting will be available shortly here. "In the days following the train derailment in Galena, Illinois, BNSF offici… Continue Reading

Durbin: Great Work At Lovell Should Be Applied To Other Healthcare Facilities Serving Servicemembers And Veterans

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a hearing today on the Defense Health Program Budget, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, pointed to the success of Lovell Federal Health Care Facility in North Chicago, Illinois as a model for healthcare facilities elsewhere. During the hearing, Durbin acknowledged the challenges confronting Department of Defense healthcare facilities and commended the work being done at Lovell to streamline services fo… Continue Reading

Durbin, Brown, Reed Introduce Budget Amendment To Reward Companies That Invest In American Workers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Jack Reed (D-RI) today introduced an amendment to the FY2016 Budget designed to provide a tax credit to companies that provide fair wages and good benefits to workers while closing a tax loophole that incentivizes corporations to send jobs overseas. The loophole costs the U.S. Treasury approximately $50 billion each year at a time when outsourced jobs and stagnant wages force more American families to turn to safet… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Budget Amendment To Reward Companies That Invest In American Workers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called for a vote on his amendment to the FY2016 Budget designed to provide a tax credit to companies that provide fair wages and good benefits to workers while closing a tax loophole that incentivizes corporations to send jobs overseas. The loophole costs the U.S. Treasury approximately $50 billion each year at a time when outsourced jobs and stagnant wages force more American families to turn to safety net programs to make ends meet. … Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With The Illinois Farm Bureau

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with the Illinois Farm Bureau today to discuss the importance of continuing to support and invest in Illinois' agricultural communities. The group discussed the impact of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) delay in setting production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014, increased opportunities for Illinois farmers associated with opening trade with Cuba, and other agricultural priorities. A photo of Durbin… Continue Reading

Durbin, Boxer, Senators Introduce Bill To Crack Down On Predatory Lending Practices

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barbara Boxer (D-C) today joined U.S. Senators, Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in introducing the Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act - a bill to eliminate the excessive rates and fees that some consumers are charged for payday loans, car title loans and other types of credit. The bill - introduced today in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Matt Cartwrig… Continue Reading

Durbin, Warren, Reed: Bill Would Put Student Loan Borrower Bill Of Rights Into Law

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following a decision by President Obama to provide additional protections to student loan borrowers, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Jack Reed (D-RI) today introduced legislation to ensure struggling student loan borrowers are treated fairly and understand the full range of repayment options and resources available to them. Cosponsors of today's legislation include: "I commend the President's announcement of additional relief for student borro… Continue Reading

Durbin, Democrats Call For Crude-By-Rail Safety Investments

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter today with 20 other Senators calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to support robust investment for a Safe Transportation of Energy Products program to address increasing safety concerns related to the transportation of Bakken crude and other energy products. The Senators also called for increased funding for crude-by-rail safety efforts conducted by agencies such as the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Pipeline an… Continue Reading

Durbin, Senate Dems Mark Affordable Care Ct Anniversary, Blast GOP Efforts To Roll Back Progress

More than 16 million uninsured Americans gained affordable health coverage because of the law Number of Americans without health insurance has fallen 35%, the most in about 40 years 9.4 million seniors have saved more than $15 billion on prescription drugs Republican budget would roll back the clock, kick over 11 million to the curb [WASHINGTON. D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), She… Continue Reading

Durbin: Rising Number Of Poisonings In Children Due To Laundry Detergent Packets Is Alarming

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) today held a press conference - during National Poison Prevention Week - to discuss the Detergent Poisoning and Child Safety Act (PACS Act), a bill that would address the rising number of poisonings in children due to liquid detergent packets. Speaking in support of the PACS Act today was Chicago native Dr. Kyran Quinlan, pediatrician and chair of the American Academy of… Continue Reading

Durbin Hosts Illinois Members At Delegation Luncheon

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation at the second bipartisan Illinois Congressional Delegation Luncheon of the 114th Congress. Started by the late U.S. Senator Alan J. Dixon, the Delegation Luncheon has been held regularly in Washington, DC at no expense to the federal taxpayer for over 25 years. A photo of today's luncheon is available here. The luncheon today was attended by five members of the Illinois Congr… Continue Reading

Durbin, Grassley Introduce Bill to Require Televising Supreme Court Proceedings

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With the Supreme Court considering numerous high-profile opinions in the coming months, Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced legislation today to require open proceedings of the Court to be televised. Today's bill introduction coincides with "Sunshine Week," a national initiative aimed at promoting a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of informat… Continue Reading

Durbin, Foster Introduce Bill To Preserve American Leadership In Innovation

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With a decline in federal scientific research threatening our global competitiveness, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL) announced the introduction of legislation to preserve America's standing as a leader in discovery and innovation. Federal funding for R&D has been on a downward trend for the past several decades. Today, the federal government spends almost two-thirds less on research and development today than it did in 1965 … Continue Reading