Durbin Urges Hagel To Review Allegations of Wrongdoing at Military Hospitals, Requests Report To Defense Appropriations Subcommittee

CHICAGO-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, urging him to examine recent allegations of wrongdoing at military hospitals and report back to the Subcommittee on his findings. A recent article in the New York Times stated that the Department of Defense's (DoD) smaller military hospitals have much higher rates of severe complications or deaths from fairly routine care than their civilian hospita… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $1 Million In Funding To Support Illinois Programs Assiting Victims of Human Trafficking and Sexual Assault

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded a total of $1,019,361 in grants to support several justice system programs in Illinois that offer support services to victims of human trafficking and sexual assault. "The funding announced today will help ensure that victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault in Illinois have a voice in our justice system and access to high-quality support services… Continue Reading

Durbin Applauds Newly Rebranded "CVS Health" Decision to Stop Tobacco Sales

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after CVS Health - newly rebranded from CVS Caremark - announced that it would stop selling tobacco products - including e-cigarettes - in its stores today. Earlier this year, CVS announced plans to remove tobacco products by October 2014. Today, the company announced that it would be following through on those plans more than a month ahead of schedule. "Earlier this year, CVS made a commitment to the heal… Continue Reading

Durbin, Bustos Highlight Potential of Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute

ROCKFORD, IL - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today outlined the potential impact the new the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (or Digital Lab) will have on the Rockford region and throughout Illinois. The Digital Lab, which will officially open its doors this fall, is a first-of-its-kind manufacturing hub that will bring the future of American manufacturing to Illinois. Supported by $320 million-including $70 million in direct… Continue Reading

Durbin Stands With Amtrak, Renews Call For Surface Transportation Board To Investigate Canadian National

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to a complaint filed by Amtrak to improve the on-time-performance of trains operating in Illinois over tracks controlled by Canadian National (CN), U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) called on the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to investigate record levels of freight train interference and - if necessary - award damages to improve the performance of this critical Amtrak route. The STB was granted authority by Congress in 2008 to enforce Amtrak's rights to the ra… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Legislation Which Allows Student Loan Holders To Lower Their Interest Rates

[DEKALB, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed legislation introduced in the Senate earlier this year to allow student loan holders to lower their loans' interest rates with Northern Illinois University students and alumni. The bill, which Durbin co-sponsored, allows current loan holders to refinance to a lower interest rate. A vote is expected on the bill when the Senate reconvenes the week of September 8th."Student debt has reached the breaking point in this country. Far too ma… Continue Reading

Durbin Visits McHenry County College to Discuss Closing "Skills Gap"

[CRYSTAL LAKE, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited McHenry County College (MCC) today to discuss legislation he introduced to help community colleges train workers for high-need technical jobs, many of which are currently going unfilled due to a lack of qualified employees in the workforce. Durbin toured MCC's new manufacturing and robotics labs and met with students and employers who often hire the program's graduates. The college developed many of its programs after surveying local e… Continue Reading

Durbin Urges Surface Transportation Board To Closely Monitor Rail Capacity Ahead of Expected Record Harvest

DURBIN URGES SURFACE TRANSIT BOARD TO CLOSELY MONITOR RAIL CAPACITY AHEAD OF EXPECTED RECORD HARVEST [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Dan Elliot asking him to monitor possible impacts to rail service capacity in Illinois ahead of an expected record harvest this crop season. Given Illinois' extensive rail network, Durbin asked the STB to prepare for any impacts on rail capacity or delays in service that cou… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces A More Than $143,000 Investment In Central Illinois First-Responder Capabilities

[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 grants totaling $143,450 to two communities in Central Illinois. Today's funding will support and improve the capability of each department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "This federal funding will ensure that when fires or other emergencies occur in our communities, our nation's firefighters a… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More Than $1.7 Million For Improvements to Illinois Health Centers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $1,703,777 in funding through the Affordable Care Act to support construction and renovation projects at community health centers in Chicago, Illinois and the Chicagoland area. This funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), was made available through the Patient Centered Medical Home Facility Improvement Grant program. "Community health centers serve an important purpose for fam… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Burger King Decision To Shift Tax Domicile To Canada

CHICAGO-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after Burger King announced plans to merge with Ontario-based Tim Horton's Inc, and shift its tax domicile out of the United States. While Burger King's operational headquarters will remain in Florida, the move would reportedly cut the company's U.S. corporate tax bill significantly. "With every new corporate inversion, the tax burden increases on the rest of us to pay what these corporations don't. That burden is made … Continue Reading

Durbin Supports Helping Illinois Veterans Take Full Advantage Of Their Education Benefits

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to allow Illinois veterans to use their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to pay for tuition, books and housing at the same time they are using state benefits for tuition. The State of Illinois has requested a waiver from current federal VA policy that requires state benefits to be applied before Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits forcing veteran students to spend down all state benefits before acc… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces A More Than $166,000 Investment In Southern Illinois To Spur Economic Growth

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded an Economic Development District Planning grant totaling $166,884 to South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission in Salem, Illinois to help create jobs and boost economic development in the region. "Today's funding will help Salem develop and implement a strategic plan for continued economic growth - … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces A More Than $52,000 Investment In Northern Illinois To Spur Economic Growth

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded an Economic Development District Planning grant totaling $51,628 to the Blackhawk Hills Resource Conservation and Development Council in Rock Falls, Illinois to help create jobs and boost economic development in the region. "Today's funding will help Rock Falls develop and implement a strategic plan for continued economic gr… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Local Officials Announcement $432,000 Investment In Villa Park First-Responder Capabilities

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Villa Park Mayor Deborah Bullwinkel, State Senator Tom Cullerton and local officials announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded a $432,000 grant to the Villa Park, Illinois Fire Department for vehicle acquisition. Today's funding will help support and improve the capability of the department to respond to fires and other types… Continue Reading

Durbin, Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance Announce A More Than $23,000 Investment In Fire-Fighter Suicide Prevention Initiatives

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded a $23,750 grant to the Palatine, Illinois non-profit. Today's funding will help support the group's work in providing suicide awareness and prevention workshops for fire departments and firefighters in Illinois and around the country. "Firefighters and first-responders… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces A More Than $296,000 Investment In Kankakee First-Responder Capabilities

[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 $296,400 grant to the Kankakee Fire Department in Kankakee, Illinois for fire prevention initiatives. "This federal funding will support our nation's firefighters and first-responder's efforts to prevent fires and other types of emergencies when they occur in the communities they bravely serve," Durbin said. "We m… Continue Reading

Durbin Convenes Meeting Between STB, Amtrak and Local Officials to Discuss Record Rail Delays

CHAMPAIGN, IL - Record levels of freight train interference and poor Amtrak on-time performance are threatening the success of passenger rail in Illinois, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today at meeting between Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Dan Elliott, Amtrak Board of Directors member Tom Carper and local stakeholders. At Durbin's urging, Elliott is meeting with communities throughout Illinois to discuss the persistent Amtrak delays along routes operated by Canadian National… Continue Reading

Durbin Calls Together Local Mayors and Federal Transportation Officials to Discuss Rail Safety

CHICAGO - In response to safety concerns raised by the rapid increase of trains carrying crude oil and ethanol across the country, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) convened a meeting with mayors from the Chicago metropolitan area, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Joe Szabo, and Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Dan Elliott to hear their concerns about rail safety and an increase in rail delays."With one quarter of all U.S. freight traffic rolling through the Chicago a… Continue Reading

Durbin, Bustos Announce Hiring of Warden at Thomson Prison

[THOMSON, IL] - The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has taken an essential step in the activation of Thomson Correctional Center by hiring a warden for the new federal prison, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) announced today at the facility in Thomson. They were joined at the community leaders update meeting by Charles Samuels, Jr., BOP Director, Donald Hudson, Thomson prison's new warden, and other senior BOP staff. Hudson has worked for BOP since 1… Continue Reading