Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Education
Durbin: Senate Appropriates Committee Approves Nearly $6.3 Million for Illinois Agriculture Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $6,268,000 for Illinois projects with the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Durbin is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA includes funding for the following Illinois projects and programs: • Biotechnology Research Development Center, … Continue Reading
June 30, 2010
For-Profit Colleges and Federal Student Aid: Preventing Financial Abuses
Senator Dick Durbin National Press Club June 30, 2010 For-profit Colleges and Federal Student Aid: Preventing Financial Abuses Prepared Remarks I want to thank Tejinder Singh and the National Press Club's Newsmakers Committee for inviting me. I'm here to talk about for-profit colleges and trade schools. Specifically, I want to talk about the rapidly growing number of students enrolled in for-profit schools … the dramatic increase in federal student aid dollars … Continue Reading
June 30, 2010
Durbin: For-Profit School Raise Concerns That Lawmakers and Administration Must Address
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) raised concerns today that the rapidly growing number of students enrolled in for-profit colleges coupled with a dramatic increase in federal student aid dollars flowing to these schools may create a national crisis in higher education. Durbin made his remarks today in speech before the National Press Club. "There is growing concern that we could be looking at a repeat of the subprime mortgage fiasco, with low-income, … Continue Reading
June 21, 2010
Durbin Joins Lawmakers in Calling for Government Review of For-Profit Colleges
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In light of recent press reports raising concerns about the for-profit education sector U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) today joined other lawmakers in calling for a review of for-profit or "proprietary" institutions of higher education. Specifically, they asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess the quality of for-profit institutions, as well as how much of their revenue is comprised of Federal student aid and other Federal funding … Continue Reading
June 15, 2010
Durbin: University of Illinois to Receive Nearly $800,000 in Research Funding
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, has awarded $799,200 in federal grant funding to the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, to help fund the Illinois Height Modernization Program (ILHMP).The ILHMP aims to establish a statewide network of survey benchmarks and acquire a high-resolution digital elevation model of the Earth's surface. The funding will allow … Continue Reading
June 11, 2010
Durbin Announces More than $1.25 Million in NEH Grants for Illinois Organizations
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded 7 grants totaling $1,265,227 to 6 Illinois organizations. Several of these organizations have been recognized by the NEH for advancing the goals of its We the People program. The We the People program encourages and strengthens the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture. Today's grants were awarded through a highly competitive … Continue Reading
June 04, 2010
Durbin Announces Nearly $2 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Weatherization Training Centers in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded two grants totaling $1,959,635 for weatherization training center development and expansion projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Wilbur Wright College in Chicago, Illinois, will receive $1,000,000 and the Board of Trustees at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, will receive $959,635 to develop training centers.The … Continue Reading
May 27, 2010
Durbin, Gregg Introduce Bill to Expand Successful Charter Schools
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Judd Gregg (R-NH) today introduced legislation that would expand the Charter School Program at the Department of Education (DOE) to make eligible the expansion and replication of successful charter school models. The bill - the All Students Achieving through Reform (All STAR) Act - also takes several steps to strengthen public charter school accountability, transparency, and governance. "We must ensure that each and every child … Continue Reading
May 11, 2010
Durbin Leads Effort to Improve School Meals
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation to fund a competitive program that would bring together nutritional and academic experts, members of the community and local schools to produce innovative ideas to improve food quality, student choices in food and healthy school environments. Earlier today, Durbin met with Chef Rachel Ray to discuss reauthorization of child nutrition programs and her effort to help children … Continue Reading
April 28, 2010
Durbin Announces a Nearly $1 Million FEMA Grant for Fire Prevention and Safety Research at University of Illinois
[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 a $999,801 grant to the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for fire prevention and safety research. "Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As these brave men and women put themselves in harm's way, we … Continue Reading
April 21, 2010
Durbin, Lugar Ask Secretary Napolitano to Stop Deportations of Dream Act Students
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today, asking her to halt deportations of immigrant students who could earn legal status under legislation they have introduced called the DREAM Act (S.729). The DREAM Act is a narrowly tailored, bipartisan measure which would permit undocumented students to become permanent legal residents if they came here as … Continue Reading
April 15, 2010
Durbin, Cohen Along With Others Introduce Legislation to Restore Fairness in Student Lending
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Al Franken (D-MN) today joined U.S. Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Danny Davis (D-IL) to introduce legislation in both the Senate and the House that will restore fairness in student lending by treating privately issued student loans in bankruptcy the same as other types of private debt. Before changes were made to the bankruptcy code in 2005, only government issued or guaranteed student loans were … Continue Reading
March 29, 2010
Durbin: Student Loan Overhaul Makes College More Affordable For Illinois Students
[CHICAGO, IL] - Illinois students will see increased Pell Grants and friendlier loan repayment terms as a result of a historic overhaul of the nation's 45-year-old student loan program signed into law last week, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) told college students at Roosevelt University today. The provisions, included in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation bill, force commercial banks out of the business of administering federally-guaranteed student loans, ending a … Continue Reading
March 26, 2010
Durbin Announces Nearly $2 Million in NEH Grants for Illinois Organizations
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded 15 grants totaling $1,919,557 to 11 Illinois organizations. Several of these organizations have been recognized by the NEH for advancing the goals of its We the People program. The We the People program encourages and strengthens the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture. Today's grants were awarded through a highly competitive … Continue Reading
March 25, 2010
Durbin Statement on Senate Passage of Reconciliation Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded the Senate's passage of legislation that makes key improvements to the historic health care reform law signed by President Obama earlier this week. The legislation also helps students by cutting out the bank industry middlemen and shifting student loans into the Direct Loan program - a measure that will save American families $61 billion over 10 years. "The final piece of healthcare legislation that was approved by … Continue Reading
March 04, 2010
Durbin: Illinois Among Finalists in Phase One of Innovative Race to the Top Education Reform Competition
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Education has named Illinois among 16 finalists for Phase One of its Race to the Top competition. The Race to the Top Fund provides competitive grants to encourage and reward states like Illinois that are creating the conditions for education innovation and reform."Illinois is to be congratulated for the strong Race to the Top application they submitted. Illinois' selection today is … Continue Reading
January 28, 2010
Durbin Announces Nominees for Service Academies
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the names of young men and women whom he has nominated to attend the nation's four service academies. "Each year, I look forward to announcing my nominees for the nation's service academies because the young men and women who make up this group are among the most promising young people in the state of Illinois," said Durbin. "This year was no exception. These individuals are the leaders of tomorrow, and I have no doubt that they … Continue Reading
December 09, 2009
Durbin, Manzullo Secure $800,000 to Help Create Jobs, Improve Higher Education in Rockford
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Don Manzullo (R-IL) and announced today they have secured $800,000 in federal funds for two important initiatives to help create jobs and improve higher education in Rockford. The funding is included in the 2010 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which the House and Senate are expected to approve in the next few weeks before sending to the President for his signature. Durbin and Manzullo each requested … Continue Reading
October 15, 2009
Durbin Meets with Attorney General to Discuss Chicago Youth Violence
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Attorney General Eric Holder to discuss the federal, state and local effort to combat youth violence in Chicago. Holder briefed Durbin on the outcome of last week's meeting with Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. They also discussed the role the federal government can play in assisting the state and local effort including: increasing funding for community-based violence … Continue Reading
October 01, 2009
Durbin, Halvorson: Ottawa School District Wins FEMA Appeal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson (D-IL) today announced that Ottawa Elementary School District #141 has won their appeal of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s original repair estimate for Ottawa Central Elementary School. FEMA indicated that federal funds could be used to relocate the school pending the approval of a project request submitted by the school. Durbin and Halvorson support the Ottawa School … Continue Reading