Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure in the 111th Congress
Durbin Asks IG to Investigate Potential Misuse of Federal Funds by Metra Director
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After learning that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has increased its oversight of federal funds that have been allocated to Metra, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Department of Transportation's Inspector General, Calvin Scovel, to investigate whether any federal funds given to Metra were misused or used in any unauthorized way. Durbin's request comes just days after Metra's Board or Directors voted to hire an outside legal … Continue Reading
May 04, 2010
Durbin Announces Funding for Illinois Bike Trails
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the Illinois recipients of $2,850,000 in federal transportation funding for bike and pedestrian trail enhancements and improvements. Durbin secured this funding in 2009 as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act. "Bike trails are growing in popularity across our state," said Durbin. "Incorporating bike paths, bike lanes and sidewalks into the transportation system encourages physical activity and healthy … Continue Reading
April 30, 2010
Illinois Transportation Secretary and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin Announce Grand Opening of MacArthur Boulevard Extension
[SPRINGFIELD] - Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig was joined by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin and other state and local officials at a ceremonial ribbon cutting today to mark the grand opening of the MacArthur Boulevard Extension and the new interchange with Interstate 72. The $46.9 million dollar project created 525 construction related jobs and provides access to approximately 900 acres of land to the north of I-72 for new … Continue Reading
April 23, 2010
Durbin Announces $4.5 Million in Grant Funding for O'Hare Noise Mitigation at Roosevelt Elementary
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $4,500,000 grant to the City of Chicago for noise mitigation at Roosevelt Elementary School in Park Ridge, Illinois, roughly two miles from O'Hare International Airport. This funding will be used to replace existing windows with acoustic windows units, revise mechanical and electrical systems, and install acoustic ceilings, vestibules, … Continue Reading
April 08, 2010
Durbin: $26 Million Federal Investment in Rend Lake Pays Dividends in Jobs and Economic Development
[BENTON, IL] - Rend Lake visitors will soon enjoy improved campsites, better roads, well-staffed recreation facilities with fully restored services, and a new visitor's center, thanks to a $26 million infusion of funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today. The federally-funded projects at Rend Lake have created or sustained more than 200 jobs, helping to achieve the Recovery Act's primary goals of getting Americans back to … Continue Reading
March 23, 2010
Durbin: Senate Approves Durbin Amendment to Encourage Sustainable Airport Design
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The U.S. Senate approved an amendment authored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) that would help the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) create a standardized, voluntary set of best practices to help airports operate and build sustainable facilities. Durbin's amendment - approved as part of the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act - would establish a working group to develop these standards and help create a voluntary … Continue Reading
March 23, 2010
Durbin Announces a Nearly $1.2 Million DOT Recovery Act Grant for Job Training in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $1,189,635 On the Job Training/Supportive Services grant to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Today's funding will be used to fund apprenticeships and training centers for Illinoisans pursuing careers in the transportation, engineering, and construction sectors. This funding is part of nearly $12 million in grants announced by … Continue Reading
March 22, 2010
Durbin: Senate Approves Durbin Amendment to Study Partnerships Between Air and Rail Travel
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The U.S. Senate today approved an amendment authored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) requiring the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study ways to increase coordination between air and passenger rail travel. Durbin's amendment was approved as part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act. The amendment specifically identifies codeshare agreements as one way that airlines … Continue Reading
March 12, 2010
Durbin Announces More Than $1 Million in Grant Funding for Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $1,079,000 grant to the Springfield Airport Authority. This funding will be used to acquire new land for aircraft approaches, rehabilitate a runway, and improve safety and security at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois. "The Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is a critical transportation link for the Springfield area," … Continue Reading
March 05, 2010
Durbin: Recovery Act Investment in CREATE Project Means More Jobs for Illinois
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin issued the following statement regarding the $133 million CREATE Englewood Flyover Project, funded through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act: "Unsnarling this bottleneck will stop trains from idling and start moving train traffic more quickly and safely. But this project is not just about saving time, money and cleaning our air. It's about jobs. "The rail industry is already a big employer in Illinois. More than 16,000 freight … Continue Reading
March 05, 2010
Durbin Announces $600,000 in Recovery Act Funding for Rock Island Mass Transit
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $600,000 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District. Today's funding will be used to construct a solar thermal system that will provide hot water for the transit facility's operations and maintenance sections. The solar thermal system will help reduce the Quad … Continue Reading
March 05, 2010
Durbin Announces $1.5 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Chicago Transit
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Transportation has awarded $1,500,000 in funding to the Chicago Transit Authority for the construction of electrified vehicle stalls that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and unnecessary fuel consumption. "The funding announced today will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Chicago," said Durbin. "As more and more people are choosing to leave their cars at home for their daily commute, … Continue Reading
March 05, 2010
Durbin Announces More than $11.1 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Illinois Transit
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that several Illinois transit projects have been awarded funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This announcement is part of more than $600 million in formula-based Recovery Act funding distributed to almost 200 transit agencies and municipalities by the Department of Transportation to modernize and continue operations, as well as create green jobs. Illinois Department … Continue Reading
March 04, 2010
Durbin Announces Nearly $1.5 Million in FEMA Grants to Illinois Fire Departments
[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 17 grants totaling $1,448,822 to fire departments and municipalities throughout Illinois for operations and safety."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 must ensure that they are equipped … Continue Reading
March 03, 2010
Durbin: University of Illinois to Receive $22.5 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Expand Broadband Internet Access
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Commerce (DOC) has awarded $22,534,776 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois to build 187 miles of fiber-optic broadband network in Urbana, Champaign, and Savoy. The funding will also be used to support fiber-to-the-home services in four low-income neighborhoods and provide high-speed connectivity to 143 community … Continue Reading
February 16, 2010
Durbin Announces $128 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Job Creating Projects in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that three Illinois transportation projects will receive a total of $128 million in funding through the Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. Nearly $57 billion in bids were submitted nationwide for the $1.5 billion that was made available for TIGER grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Durbin was a leader in the effort to include TIGER program … Continue Reading
February 12, 2010
Durbin Announces $500,000 in Funding for Chicago Rockford International Airport
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $500,000 in funding to the Chicago Rockford International Airport to help recruit carriers and develop low-fare service to major business centers in the United States. Durbin sent a letter in October in support of the airport's application under the Small Community Air Service Development Program."Rockford airport has proven to be a viable … Continue Reading
February 02, 2010
Durbin Meets with Canadian National CEO to Discuss Mitigation and Amtrak On Time Performance
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today met with the new CEO of Canadian National (CN), Claude Mongeau, to discuss the company's mitigation efforts along the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E) and improving Amtrak on time performance. On December 24, the Surface Transportation Board approved CN's acquisition of the EJ&E Railway despite strong opposition from local communities in Illinois that will experience dramatic increases in freight traffic."With a historic … Continue Reading
January 30, 2010
Durbin Statement on Funding for Amtrak Service to the Quad Cities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today praised the effort by the State of Illinois to bring Amtrak service to the Quad Cities. Durbin has helped bring together Amtrak, federal, state and local officials in order to secure high speed rail for Illinois and the Midwest and to extend new service from Chicago to Rockford and the Quad Cities. Durbin also added that in addition to the recently announced $8 billion in federal high speed rail funds, Congress … Continue Reading
January 30, 2010
Durbin Statement on Funding for Amtrak Service to Rockford
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today praised the effort by the State of Illinois to bring Amtrak service to Rockford. Durbin has helped bring together Amtrak, federal, state and local officials in order to secure high speed rail for Illinois and the Midwest and to extend new service from Chicago to Rockford and the Quad Cities. Durbin also added that in addition to the recently announced $8 billion in federal high speed rail funds, Congress included … Continue Reading