Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Jobs and the Economy
Durbin Meets with Illinois Businesses to Discuss Opportunities to Export to Africa
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Corporate Council on Africa - which included representatives from two Illinois companies - to discuss challenges faced by U.S. companies that want to do business in Africa. Durbin, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee listened to the group's ideas on how the U.S. government can more effectively help American companies compete in the African market, particularly against China. "For businesses - … Continue Reading
January 25, 2011
Durbin Reaction to President Obama's State of the Union Address 2011
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement in reaction to President Obama's State of the Union address. "This evening, President Obama continued the conversation with the American people that he began in the wake of the Tucson tragedy. It was a message about our future and our need to work together, with respect, to meet our challenges." "And I also hope that the good manners we saw in the Congressional audience tonight will continue when … Continue Reading
January 19, 2011
Durbin and Kirk Announce They Will Sit Together at State of the Union
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In the spirit of bipartisanship, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that they will sit side-by-side at the President's State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 25. Traditionally, Members of Congress are split by party affiliation with Democrats and Republicans sitting on opposite sides of the center aisle in the U.S. House of Representatives chamber. "Traditions that divide us were made to be broken," said Durbin. "As we begin … Continue Reading
January 18, 2011
Durbin to Illinois Bankers: Small Banks will Benefit from Interchange Reform
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to three Illinois banking associations today, highlighting a recent announcement that Visa would establish a two-tiered interchange fee system - one for large institutions and one for small institutions. Visa’s announcement means that small banks and credit unions - which were given an exemption from new interchange regulation - will benefit from changes to the interchange system. The letter, addressed … Continue Reading
December 21, 2010
Durbin Statement on Auction of Thomson
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the auction of Thomson Correctional Center concluded earlier today. "The federal Bureau of Prisons has informed me that, though they are still completing the necessary reviews of Thomson Correction Center, acquiring the facility is a top priority of the Obama Administration," said Durbin. "I am encouraged that the negotiations between the State of Illinois and that federal government are ongoing. In … Continue Reading
December 15, 2010
Durbin Meets With Small Business Administrator to Discuss Illinois Exports
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, Karen Mills, to discuss ways in which Illinois companies can grow their businesses by selling to customers abroad. Illinois exports generated approx $4.1 billion in state tax revenue in 2008 and currently support 539,300 Illinois jobs. "Since 95% of the world's consumers live outside the United States, our small businesses need to be able to export … Continue Reading
December 14, 2010
Durbin: Vote for Tax Cut Plan is a Vote for Illinois Middle-Class Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Noting that millions of middle class families in Illinois will benefit from lower individual tax rates and tax credits, and that 135,000 of unemployed workers Illinois will continue to receive much needed benefits throughout the holidays, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that he will vote for final passage of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act (H.R. 4853) - the compromise that was agreed to by President Obama and … Continue Reading
November 18, 2010
Durbin and Kirk Meet to Discuss Illinois Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator-elect Mark Kirk (R-IL) met today in Durbin's Washington office to discuss ways in which they will work together on Illinois priorities in the 112th Congress. "Senator-elect Kirk and I had a very constructive discussion about the challenges that face Illinois in the years ahead," said Durbin. "Though we may disagree on some issues, we agreed that there is much common ground when it comes to Illinois. Our … Continue Reading
October 28, 2010
Durbin: Expansion of Chrysler Plant in Belvidere will Allow Company to Create or Retain Jobs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the decision by Chrysler Group LLC to invest $600 million in expanding the company's Belvidere Assembly Plant in Northern Illinois. The expansion project will allow Chrysler to retain 1,950 jobs on two full shifts. The upgraded facilities would also support more than 500 contract employees and create the possibility of adding a third shift. "Over the years the Belvidere plant has changed with the nation's auto market but … Continue Reading
October 20, 2010
Durbin Announces More Than $2.35 Million in Funding For South Suburban Chicago Development Initiative
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a $2,351,848 Community Challenge Planning grant to the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association to help fund a residential development plan that will foster job growth in the region. "This funding will promote job growth, improve livability, and create more sustainable communities in south suburban Chicago," said … Continue Reading
October 15, 2010
Durbin, Ardis Announce $10 Million for Peoria Warehouse District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mayor of Peoria Jim Ardis announced that the City of Peoria will receive a $10 million grant to design and build a complete street network that is safe, walkable and attractive in the Warehouse District. This project is a key component of the city's plan for revitalizing the Warehouse District which will create jobs and promote economic development. The funding was awarded today by the Department of Transportation through the … Continue Reading
October 14, 2010
Durbin Announces $4.25 Million in Funding for Go To 2040 Sustainable Community Planning Initiative
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a $4,250,000 Sustainable Communities Regional Planning grant to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to help advance its GO TO 2040 community planning initiative. "GO TO 2040 is a forward-thinking plan that will help Chicagoland maintain its position as one of the nation's foremost economic and cultural centers," … Continue Reading
October 12, 2010
Durbin Supports Chrysler Application for Funding to Create or Retain Over 2,000 Jobs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to the Department of Energy in support of Chrysler's application for funding to help finance facility, tooling, and equipment upgrades designed to raise production capabilities at the Belvidere, Illinois plant. The project will allow Chrysler to retain 1,950 jobs on two full shifts. The upgraded facilities would also support more than 500 contract employees and create the possibility of adding a third shift. On July … Continue Reading
September 26, 2010
New Law Will Give Small Businesses Better Access to Credit and Spur Job Creation
[CHICAGO] - Illinois small businesses will receive a much-needed lifeline that will improve their access to credit and jumpstart job creation following passage of the Small Business Jobs Act, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Melissa Bean said today. The legislation, which President Obama will sign into law on Monday, provides incentives for community banks to extend small businesses the capital they need to grow their businesses and hire additional workers, as well as … Continue Reading
September 15, 2010
Durbin: Illinois Prosecutors and Public Defenders Eligible for More Than $350,000 in Student Loan Assistance
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive $365,309 through the Department of Justice's John R. Justice student loan repayment program. The funding, administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, will be used to help prosecutor and public defender offices retain and attract talented attorneys by providing student loan repayment assistance to state and federal public defenders and state prosecutors who … Continue Reading
July 22, 2010
Durbin: Senate Committee Approves More Than $134 Million In Energy And Water Funding For Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which Durbin is a member, has approved $134,315,000 for energy- and water-related projects in Illinois. The Fiscal Year 2011 Energy and Water Appropriations bill includes funding for the following projects: Department of Energy City of Monmouth: $500,000 in funding for a renewable energy co-generation project that will use industrial waste to power homes and reduce the amount of … Continue Reading
June 24, 2010
Durbin Announces $520,000 in Funding for Pulaski Infrastructure Development
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has invested $520,000 in the Village of Pulaski, Illinois' Industrial Park Infrastructure project. This investment will fund roadway and other infrastructure improvements to serve the SISCO Regional Industrial Park located in Pulaski. The funding is expected save 32 jobs, create an additional 167 jobs and an additional $2 million in private … Continue Reading
June 24, 2010
Durbin Commends Decision to Award a Nearly $6 Million Grant to Support Businesses in Northern Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the Department of Commerce (DOC)'s decision to award a $5.9 million for a program administered by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater that will provide comprehensive entrepreneurial support to businesses in Northern Illinois in order to create jobs and spur economic development."This project brings together six counties across two states, four universities, three technical colleges and a number of non-profit and private … Continue Reading
June 24, 2010
Durbin: Quad City Airport to Receive Nearly $4 Million Grant for Runway Reconstruction
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $3,900,000 grant to Quad City International Airport for the reconstruction of runway 9/27. This funding will help continue the airport's efforts to completely reconstruct the 10,000-foot runway."Quad City International Airport is a critical transportation link for central Illinois," said Durbin. "This renewed runway will help put the airport in the … Continue Reading
June 23, 2010
Durbin Encourages Navistar to Open New Facility in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today encouraged the Chairman and CEO of Navistar International Corporation, Daniel Ustian, to locate the company's new facility in Illinois. Because the company's plans to open a new facility in Lisle, Illinois have recently been called into question, Durbin also requested a meeting with Ustain to discuss the ongoing partnership between Navistar and Illinois."I am requesting a meeting to see if there are ways that I or my office can be of … Continue Reading