Press Releases
Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With Darden Restaurants
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic with CEO and President of Darden Restaurants, Gene Lee. On a call with Lee, Durbin asked how the pandemic will impact the restaurant industry and how the company is planning to support restaurant employees as normal operations come to a halt. "The coronavirus pandemic will undoubtedly have a serious impact on the restaurant industry as the country changes our social norms and daily lives to … Continue Reading
March 18, 2020
Durbin Discusses DOD Coronavirus Response With Defense Secretary Esper
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, today spoke with Defense Secretary Mark Esper to discuss the military's coronavirus response efforts, including today's action by the President to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA). Durbin urged the President to invoke the DPA in order to help address widespread shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, diagnostic test kits, and other medical … Continue Reading
March 18, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Seek Answers on Coronavirus Preparedness in Immigration Detention Facilities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) and their Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Matthew T. Albence, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner Mark A. Morgan requesting information about the policies and procedures their respective agencies have in place to prepare … Continue Reading
March 18, 2020
Illinois Congressional Delegation Urges Small Business Administration to Approve Federal Loan Assistance for Illinois in Response to Coronavirus
WASHINGTON - Today, members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza supporting Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's request for a SBA Economic Injury Declaration for Illinois amid the coronavirus pandemic. As of this week, more than 100 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Illinois, and Governor Pritzker has ordered the closure of all dine-in restaurants and bars, and prohibited gatherings of 50 people or … Continue Reading
March 18, 2020
Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With AAR CORP CEO
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic with Illinois-based AAR Corp CEO John Holmes. AAR Corp operates two maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Illinois, one at Rockford International Airport and one in Wood Dale, Illinois. On a call with Holmes, Durbin promised to push for financial help for airline suppliers like AAR in any federal stimulus package. "As Congress negotiates the specifics of a financial relief … Continue Reading
March 18, 2020
Durbin, Colleagues, Call for Direct Cash Assistance to Help Americans Weather Economic Fallout of Coronavirus Outbreak
WASHINGTON - As the economic fallout of coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak escalates, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and a group of his colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) outlining a bold new proposal to provide Americans with direct cash payments. "Over the course of just one week, most of America went from … Continue Reading
March 18, 2020
Durbin Continues Call for Senate to Pass Families First Coronavirus Response Act Immediately
WASHINGTON - Amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today once again called on the Senate to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act immediately. The legislation takes additional smart, strategic, and science-based measures to help protect families' economic security, food security, and health security. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also paid tribute to Illinois' first coronavirus-related death, Patricia Frieson. "I come to the floor … Continue Reading
March 18, 2020
Durbin Discusses Impact of Coronavirus With Alzheimer's Association
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic with CEO and President of the Alzheimer's Association, Harry Johns. On a call with Johns, Durbin asked how the pandemic will impact the Alzheimer's Association and the nonprofit industry as a whole. "The coronavirus pandemic will undoubtedly impact nonprofits, like the Alzheimer's Association, and Congress should consider the needs of these organizations. The Alzheimer's Association provides … Continue Reading
March 17, 2020
Durbin, Senators Urge President to Use Existing DPA Authority to Address Shortages of Medical Equipment Needed to Treat and Prevent Spread of COVID-19
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), and 24 other Senators, urged President Trump to use his existing authority to help address widespread shortages of medical equipment, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. In a letter sent to President Trump, the Senators pushed the President to invoke the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA), which authorizes the president to strengthen domestic manufacturing … Continue Reading
March 17, 2020
Durbin Pushes For More Coronavirus Test Kit Supplies on Call With CDC Director
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Robert Redfield to push for more coronavirus test kit supplies for the State of Illinois. Durbin has urged the Trump Administration repeatedly to provide more test kit supplies and personal protective equipment as soon as possible. "On my call with CDC Director Redfield, I expressed my concern about the coronavirus test kit situation in Illinois. The State is … Continue Reading
March 17, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Press Trump Administration for Testing Kit Supplies & Personal Protective Equipment for Illinois
WASHINGTON - Amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today pressed Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to take immediate action to fulfill Illinois' personal protective equipment (PPE) request. On March 4, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) requested distribution of PPE from the federal Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). These masks, respirators, gloves, and gowns are essential equipment that our … Continue Reading
March 17, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Statement on First Coronavirus-related Death in Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after Illinois announced its first coronavirus-related death: "We are both saddened by the confirmation of our state's first death from COVID-19. Our thoughts go out to the victim's family and loved ones during what we know is an incredibly difficult time for them. As we have all seen, this pandemic will disrupt the way we all go about our daily lives, but this sad news is a … Continue Reading
March 17, 2020
Durbin Receives Update From Illinois Director of Public Health on Coronavirus Response
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the response to the coronavirus pandemic with Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. On a call with Dr. Ezike, Durbin asked what the State will need as coronavirus cases increase, and how the federal government can support state efforts to keep people healthy and safe. Durbin has urged the Trump Administration repeatedly to provide more test kit supplies and personal protective equipment to the State … Continue Reading
March 17, 2020
Durbin: Why Are We Waiting to Pass Families First Coronavirus Response Act?
WASHINGTON - Amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today once again called on the Senate to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act immediately. The legislation takes additional smart, strategic, and science-based measures to help protect families' economic security, food security, and health security. "There is no reason for us to delay this in any way. We should move on it quickly. Putting this off for a day or two, or whatever the plan is … Continue Reading
March 17, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Federal Funding for Illinois & City of Chicago Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has received $14.6 million in federal funding and the Chicago Department of Public Health received $8.7 million in federal funding in order to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, including funding for patient monitoring, lab testing, acquisition of test kits and protective equipment, and research into vaccines and therapeutics. This federal funding was … Continue Reading
March 16, 2020
Durbin to McConnell: Pass Families First Coronavirus Response Act Immediately
WASHINGTON - Amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Senate to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act immediately. The legislation takes additional smart, strategic, and science-based measures to help protect families' economic security, food security, and health security. "This is a health care emergency. It's time for both parties to come to the floor and do our job tonight," Durbin said in a speech on the Senate floor. … Continue Reading
March 16, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Urge President Trump to Immediately Maximize Telework for Federal Employees
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and 24 of their Senate colleagues, sent a letter to President Trump urging him to immediately issue an executive order directing agencies to utilize telework capabilities to the maximum possible extent. While the Administration has issued guidance recommending agencies expand their telework capabilities, too many federal employees are still required to come to work … Continue Reading
March 16, 2020
Durbin, Colleagues Push to Ensure All Students Can Remotely Continue Education During Coronavirus Emergency
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and 12 of their colleagues, today called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to temporarily allow schools to utilize E-Rate program funding to provide Wi-Fi hotspots or devices with Wi-Fi capability to students who lack internet access at home. This action would help ensure that all students can remotely continue their education during the current … Continue Reading
March 16, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Expand Free Coronavirus Testing to People on Private Insurance, on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Uninsured
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR)-led a number of their Democratic Senate colleagues in introducing the Free COVID-19 Testing Act, which would expand free tests to confirm coronavirus (COVID-19) infections. The Free COVID-19 Testing Act would waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 diagnostic testing and related health care services for … Continue Reading
March 16, 2020
Durbin Informs Illinois Religious Institutions of Nonprofit Security Grant Funding
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent letters to religious institutions and houses of worship across Illinois to make them aware of an important federal funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations to ensure they have the necessary resources to improve their security. Durbin helped secure $90 million in nonprofit security grant funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bill. "In … Continue Reading