Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights in the 112th Congress
Durbin Announces $15,195 in DOJ Funding to Enhance Law Enforcement Capabilities in Carbondale
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $15,195 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to support law enforcement officers in Carbondale, Illinois. "Our nation's law enforcement officers 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 with the best tools possible to do … Continue Reading
June 25, 2012
Durbin Outlines Process to Nominate Next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the search process that he and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) have agreed to follow for the selection of the next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. "Earlier today, I met with outgoing U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. I thanked him for his service and the integrity he brought to the job and discussed with him the process Senator Kirk and I have established to select his replacement," Durbin said. … Continue Reading
June 19, 2012
Durbin Chairs First-Ever Congressional Hearing on Solitary Confinement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired a hearing today on the issue of solitary confinement in the nation's prisons, jails and detention centers. The hearing, held before the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, focused on the human rights, fiscal and public safety consequences of solitary confinement. "The United States holds more prisoners in solitary confinement than any other democratic nation in … Continue Reading
June 15, 2012
Durbin Statement on DREAM Act and Administrative Action to Help Young Immigrants
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that the Obama Administration would halt the deportations of immigrant students who could earn citizenship under Durbin's DREAM Act. "The Obama Administration's decision to extend temporary legal status to DREAM Act students is an historic humanitarian moment. This action will give these young immigrants their chance to come out of the … Continue Reading
June 12, 2012
Durbin: Attorney General Again Confirms Obama Administration Will Never Seek to Transfer Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Thomson
[WASHINGTON, DC] - In response to questions from U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing today, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder again confirmed that the Obama Administration will never seek to transfer Guantanamo Bay detainees to Thomson Correctional Center. Durbin is currently working with the State of Illinois and the Obama Administration to reprogram already appropriated funding within the Department of Justice (DOJ) that can be used to purchase the … Continue Reading
June 11, 2012
Durbin to Chair Hearing on Solitary Confinement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, announced today that he would hold the first-ever congressional hearing on the issue of solitary confinement at 10:00am ET on Tuesday, June 19. The hearing will focus on the human rights, fiscal and public safety consequences of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons, jails, and detention centers. During the last several decades, … Continue Reading
May 23, 2012
Durbin Statement on the Resignation of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after Patrick Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, announced his resignation: "When I first interviewed Patrick Fitzgerald for U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, he gave me his word that he would not show any political favoritism in his professional duties. He kept his word." "His aggressive prosecution of wrongdoing - including politicians in both … Continue Reading
May 21, 2012
Durbin, Kirk: White House Nominates Durkin to Fill Federal Judgeship in Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that President Obama has nominated Thomas Durkin to fill a pending vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. "Thomas Durkin is an outstanding candidate for a federal judgeship in the Northern District and I am pleased that President Obama has nominated him today. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated strong leadership in his community and a solid commitment to … Continue Reading
May 14, 2012
Senate Confirms Tharp to Fill Federal Judgeship in Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate has confirmed John "Jay" Tharp for a federal judgeship in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. The Senate approved Tharp by a vote of 86-1. Senators Kirk and Durbin have worked closely together since early 2011 to fill the two judicial vacancies in the Northern District of Illinois. Under Senate tradition for Illinois, the senator from the party not in control … Continue Reading
May 09, 2012
Durbin Calls on Members of Illinois Senate to Support Bill to Improve Security in East St. Louis
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on members of the Illinois Senate to support legislation introduced by Illinois State Senate Majority Leader James Clayborne that would strengthen local policing efforts and help improve the safety and security of East St. Louis and three nearby Metro East communities. Durbin added that, as a member of Congress, it is extremely rare for him to advocate for the passage of state legislation - a move he does not take lightly. … Continue Reading
May 07, 2012
Senate Confirms Lee to Fill Federal Judgeships in Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and a representative from U.S. Senator Mark Kirk's (R-IL) office today announced that the Senate has confirmed John Lee for a federal judgeship on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. Durbin and Kirk have also worked closely on the nomination of John Tharp, who is expected to receive a confirmation vote later this month to fill a second vacancy in the Northern District. Prior to the vote, Durbin spoke in favor of … Continue Reading
May 07, 2012
Durbin Chairs Field Hearing on Ohio Voting Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, chaired a field hearing today examining the impact of Ohio's new voting law, HB 194, which restricts early voting, eliminates the requirement that poll workers direct voters to the proper precinct, and makes it harder to vote absentee. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown joined Durbin at the hearing. "If the goal of Ohio's new voting … Continue Reading
May 03, 2012
Durbin "Likes" Facebook Decision to Join Global Network Initiative As an Observer
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after Facebook announced that it would be joining the Global Network Initiative (GNI) as an observer. "Facebook is presented with the significant human rights issues that the Global Network Initiative is designed to help companies address. For years, I've urged the social network giant to join the GNI and take other steps to protect the human rights of its users," Durbin said. "Facebook … Continue Reading
May 02, 2012
Durbin Statement on NFL Player Suspensions Bounty Investigation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the NFL announced the suspension of four players for their involvement in the New Orleans Saints' bounty program: "Today's announcement by the NFL is a positive step that shows that the League is taking seriously the issue of bounty programs," Durbin said. "I have spoken with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and I will meet with him in the coming weeks to discuss additional steps … Continue Reading
April 30, 2012
Durbin Announces Field Hearing on Ohio Voting Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, today announced a field hearing examining the impact of Ohio's new voting law, HB 194, which restricts early voting, eliminates the requirement that poll workers direct voters to the proper precinct, and makes it harder to vote absentee. The hearing will be held on Monday, May 7th, at the Carl B. Stokes United States Court House in Cleveland, … Continue Reading
April 17, 2012
Durbin Chairs Hearing on Racial Profiling in America
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today chaired a hearing on racial profiling in America - the first hearing on the issue in over a decade. The hearing explored immigration enforcement that subjects Hispanic Americans to heightened scrutiny, discriminatory law enforcement against African Americans, and anti-terrorism efforts that target American Muslims. … Continue Reading
April 05, 2012
Durbin to Chair Hearing on Racial Profiling in America
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a hearing on racial profiling in America to be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 10:00am ET. The hearing will be held in room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington. The hearing - the first in the Senate since before 9/11 - will explore how profiling harms law enforcement and the … Continue Reading
March 22, 2012
Durbin Announces Judiciary Hearing on Sports Bounties
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that he will chair a Judiciary Committee hearing on bounties in sports and determining whether federal sports bribery laws should be expanded to include sports bounty programs. The announcement comes the day after the National Football League (NFL) suspended the New Orleans Saints' head coach, defensive coordinator, and general manager for their involvement in a bounty program used by the team. The hearing … Continue Reading
March 22, 2012
Sports Bounties
Mr./Mme. President, I rise to speak about a disturbing practice that was recently uncovered by the National Football League. Let me say, it is important to play hard in every sport. But it is also important to play fair … and to play safe. I was appalled to learn about a recent National Football League investigation revealing that the New Orleans Saints had allegedly been running an illegal "bounty" program. Through this disturbing practice, players were reportedly given … Continue Reading
March 12, 2012
Durbin Legislation Will Support Task Force Efforts and Help Bring Fugitives to Justice
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation to devote additional federal resources to investigating, apprehending, extraditing and prosecuting fugitives suspected of committing serious crimes. Durbin's Bringing Fugitives to Justice Act would enhance resources for fugitive apprehension efforts by directing appearance and bail bonds that are forfeited in federal criminal cases to a Fugitive Extradition and Apprehension Trust Fund. The bill is the most recent … Continue Reading