Press Releases
Durbin: US Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $4.5 Million in Recovery Act Grant
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the decision by the U.S. Commerce Secretary, Gary Locke, to award a $4.5 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Ill., to help refurbish an existing building at the Institute's University Technology Park for use as a technology business incubator facility. The project, made possible because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 20… Continue Reading
09.14.09
Durbin Announces $2.5 Million in DOT Funding for Springfield Airport
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded a $2,516,560 grant to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois. The grant will provide funding for a project to widen a taxiway. "Widening of this taxiway will put Illinoisans to work immediately on a project that will contribute to the long term ability of the Springfield Airport to serve travelers safely and efficiently," said Durbin. … Continue Reading
09.10.09
Durbin: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $52 Million in Defense Funding for Projects in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, has approved $52,000,000 in federal funding to assist defense related facilities and projects across Illinois. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 defense spending bill includes funding for the following projects: • Columbia College Chicago, Chicago. $2,000,000 in funding for the Construct Program at Columbia College Chicago, which will deve… Continue Reading
09.09.09
Durbin Reaction to President Obama's Address on Health Care Reform
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement tonight following President Obama's joint address to Congress on health care reform: "Tonight the President laid out a clear plan to provide stability and security for those with health insurance and access to quality care for those who don't." "Months of delay and distortion have come to an end. For those interested in bringing new ideas to the table - the President has said 'welcome.… Continue Reading
09.09.09
Durbin Welcomes Springfield Doctor as Special Guest to Joint Session of Congress
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that his guest for tonight's address by President Obama to a Joint Session of Congress will be Springfield resident and member of the faculty at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Dr. Janet Albers. Durbin, a member of the Senate Escort Committee, will meet with his guest prior to the joint session. "I am honored to welcome Dr. Albers as my guest to tonight's Joint Session of Congress," said… Continue Reading
09.09.09
Durbin: If Dismal Housing Numbers Continue, Congress May Be Forced to Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement today after a new report showed the Treasury Department's Home Affordable Modification Program had a fourth consecutive month of low foreclosure modifications. Last month, only 124,000 mortgage modifications were started; 3 million homeowners are currently eligible for modifications under the program. "Waiting for banks to 'volunteer' to end this foreclosure crisis is a waste of time. … Continue Reading
09.09.09
Durbin Meets with Rockford and Harlem Township Officials
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Rockford Township Supervisor Michael Goral, Rockford Township Trustee Greg Tuite and Harlem Township Supervisor Doug Aurand to discuss local economic issues.… Continue Reading
09.09.09
Durbin Announces a More Than $750,000 Homeland Security Grant to the Chicago Fire Department
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the United States Fire Administration, part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded a $779,520 grant to the Chicago Fire Department in Chicago, Illinois for fire prevention 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 with the best tools poss… Continue Reading
09.02.09
Illinois to Receive More Than $200 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Unemployment Insurance Modernization
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced Illinois will receive $200,767,125 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for unemployment insurance modernization. The funds will allow the Illinois Department of Employment Security to pay unemployment benefits and to deliver employment services. Today's funding is in addition to the $100,383,562 in Recovery Act funding that Illinois received in April. "Unemployment benefits are urgently nee… Continue Reading
09.02.09
Durbin: Cash for Clunkers Demand Allows Chrysler Plant to Hire 850 Employees
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after learning of Chrysler's plan to hire 850 employees at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in anticipation of increasing consumer demand for fuel-efficient cars. "Just a few months ago, Chrysler's Belvidere plant was on the verge of a complete shut down that would have had a serious economic impact the region. Now, the company is facing a dramatic increase in demand for fuel-efficient veh… Continue Reading
08.27.09
Durbin Announces Nearly $1 Million in Recovery Act Funding for New Carbon Sequestration Training Center at U of I
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the University of Illinois was the recipient of $994,991 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for the development of a carbon sequestration training center in Champaign, Illinois. The center will be run by the Midwest Geological Sequestration Consortium and will facilitate the understanding of technologies required for site development, operations, and monitoring of commercial carbon capture … Continue Reading
08.27.09
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces $2 Million in Recovery Act Grant
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the cities of Centralia and Wamac, Ill., to help make roadway updates to improve access to Centralia Industrial Park #1. The project, made possible because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is expected to create additional jobs and private investment in the region. "Improvements to the Centralia industrial park will enhance the re… Continue Reading
08.26.09
Durbin Statement on the Passing of Senator Ted Kennedy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today on the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy: "Today there is an empty chair in our Senate and an empty feeling in our hearts." "We all waited expectantly during Ted's struggle with cancer for the Senate doors to swing wide and that great Irish spirit to once again return." "His voice roared as he battled for the poor and the victims of injustice yet he had a smile that could ligh… Continue Reading
08.20.09
Former Rockford Mayor John McNamara Named to Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that John McNamara, former Rockford Mayor and Vice President for College Development at Rockford College, has been named to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance. The committee is an independent and bipartisan source of advice and counsel on student financial aid policy for both Congress and the U.S. Secretary of Education. "John's long history of public service and current position as a… Continue Reading
08.17.09
Durbin Announces $1.5 Million in Continuing Grants for Illinois Drug-Free Community Coalitions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that 14 Illinois communities would receive continuing grants as part of the Drug-Free Communities program. The grants, totaling approximately $1.5 million will assist local community coalitions as they work to prevent and reduce youth substance use. The Drug-Free Communities Support (DFC) program is directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. The DFC program provides coalition mat… Continue Reading
08.17.09
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces $1.6 Million in Recovery Act Grant
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced a $1,592,627 Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Canton, Ill., to help build roadways and sewer service for a new bio-medical business park. The project, made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is expected to create additional jobs and generate private investment in the region. "A new bio-medical facility will enhance Canton's ability to attract ne… Continue Reading
08.14.09
Durbin Announces $12.2 Million in Byrne Grants Funding for Illinois Communities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the state of Illinois has been awarded $12,212,026 in funding for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants. Byrne grants are often used by state and local governments for programs dealing with drug prevention and enforcement, law enforcement information sharing, and combating gangs. The Byrne grant program, administered by Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, allows states and local governments … Continue Reading
08.13.09
Durbin Commends FAA and Controllers for Reaching Contract Agreement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) for reaching a tentative contract agreement earlier today. The contract must still be ratified by the NATCA membership. "When President Obama took office, he signaled his commitment to bringing about an agreement between FAA and NATCA," said Durbin. "Less than eight months later, there is now an agreemen… Continue Reading
08.13.09
Employees with Disabilities--An Untapped Resource
Prepared for delivery by Senator Richard Durbin I want to thank Dr. Richard Wilson for that generous introduction and for his outstanding leadership as president of this great institution. Illinois Wesleyan University is one of the real jewels of our state. Thanks to the university for hosting us today and to Carl Teichman for inviting me to join you. I also want to acknowledge my friend Mike Matejka with the Great Plains Laborers District Council, his wife, Kari Sandhaas and … Continue Reading
08.07.09
Durbin Forwards Recommendations for Federal Judges and US Marshal to White House
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today forwarded a list of names to the White House to consider when filling positions for the U.S. District Court and U.S. Marshal in the Northern District of Illinois. There are currently three vacancies to be filled on the U.S. District Court and one position of U.S. Marshal for the Northern District; Durbin has already recommended that current U.S. Attorney for the Northern District, Patrick Fitzgerald retain his post. Based on recommen… Continue Reading