Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Jobs and the Economy
Durbin Statement on Thomson Correctional Facility
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) made the following statement regarding the potential acquisition and activation of the state correctional facility in Thomson, Illinois. "I am pleased the federal government is considering the possible acquisition of the Thomson Correctional Facility from the State of Illinois." "According to the proposal now under consideration, the Federal Bureau of Prisons would operate the facility as a maximum-security … Continue Reading
November 13, 2009
Durbin Announces Nearly $2.5 Million in Recovery Act Funnding for Energy Efficiency and Conservation in McHenry County
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded a $2,475,900 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to McHenry County through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help improve energy efficiency, reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and create jobs locally. "Creating jobs and securing the future of our planet are two of the aims of the Recovery Act," said Durbin. … Continue Reading
November 09, 2009
Following Meeting with the VA Inspector General, Durbin Offers Amendment Designed to Attract Medical Professionals to Rural VA Hospitals
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After a meeting with the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), George Opfer, and the Assistant Inspector General (IG) for Healthcare Inspections, Dr. John Daigh, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today offered an amendment to the Military Construction Veterans Affairs (VA) Appropriations bill that would help VA recruit and retain high-quality healthcare administrators and providers in rural areas. Representatives from the Offices … Continue Reading
November 06, 2009
Durbin and Illinois Delegation Members to Meet With VA Inspector General on Monday
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation will meet with the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), George Opfer, and the Assistant Inspector General for Healthcare Inspections, Dr. John Daigh, on Monday afternoon in Durbin's Capitol office to discuss the unacceptable standards and treatment of veterans found by the Inspector General at the Marion VA Medical Center. On November 3, Durbin … Continue Reading
November 05, 2009
Durbin: Senate Approves $3.25 Million for Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate has approved $3,250,000 for projects in the state of Illinois in the Commerce, Justice and Science spending bill. The Fiscal Year 2010 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill includes funding for the following projects in Illinois: Department of Justice • Ceasefire at the University of Illinois, … Continue Reading
October 27, 2009
Durbin Announces Nearly $11 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Smart Grid Technology in Naperville
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the City of Naperville will receive $10,994,000 in Recovery Act funding for energy grid modernization technologies that will spur the nation's transition to a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electric system. Earlier today, President Obama and the Department of Energy announced $3.4 million in Smart Grid grants nationwide that are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs and a … Continue Reading
October 27, 2009
Durbin Remarks on Unemployment Insurance Extension
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the floor of the United States Senate today about the need to help families that are still searching for work by extending unemployment insurance. Without an extension of unemployment insurance this week, 200,000 American families will be in a position of not being able to put food on the table - 20,000 of those families live in Illinois. "We have tried - more than once - to bring to the Senate floor a bill … Continue Reading
October 22, 2009
Durbin, Costello Announce New Carrier to Provide Air Servie to Downstate Communities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today announced that two new air carriers will begin providing air service from three downstate Illinois communities to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport before the end of the year. Cape Air was awarded the Essential Air Service (EAS) contracts in Marion/Herrin and Quincy, while Air Choice One will serve Decatur. There will be no interruption in service during the transition to … Continue Reading
October 21, 2009
Durbin Announces $3 Million in Recovery Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $3,190,000 in loan guarantees through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to two rural Illinois businesses. Today's funding announcement is part of a nationwide announcement of $71.7 million in funding to help 20 rural businesses nationwide gain access to the capital they need to launch and expand their businesses and help create additional … Continue Reading
October 15, 2009
Durbin: Congress Approves More Than $94 Million for Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Congress has approved $94,396,000 for energy- and water-related projects in Illinois. The bill will now go to President Obama for his signature. The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill includes funding for the following projects: Army Corps of Engineers: • Carlyle Lake, Carlyle. $4,914,000 in funding for operations and maintenance at Carlyle Lake, the largest man-made … Continue Reading
October 09, 2009
Durbin Announces More Than $1 Million in DOT Grants for Illinois Scenic Byways
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $1,039,722 in grants to the Illinois Department of Transportation for the National Scenic Byways Program. Under the program, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads based on their archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic qualities. There are 126 such designated Byways … Continue Reading
October 08, 2009
Durbin: Congress Approves More Than $9 Million for Illinois Agriculture Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that Congress has approved $9,034,000 for Illinois projects with the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The bill will now go to President Obama for his signature. The Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA includes funding for the following Illinois projects and programs: • Biotechnology Research Development … Continue Reading
October 05, 2009
Durbin Announces $13.6 Million in Funding for O'Hare Airport Security
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded a $13,600,000 grant to Chicago O'Hare International Airport for the construction of a new inline baggage handling system designed to enhance efforts to strengthen security at the airport. "Expanding the use of the inline baggage handling technology will strengthen security in Chicago and destinations around the country," said Durbin. … Continue Reading
September 30, 2009
Durbin Announces $28 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Energy Efficiency Improvements
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $28,740,800 in funding to three Illinois communities through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help improve energy efficiency, reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions and create green jobs locally. "Creating jobs and securing our environmental future are at the heart of the Recovery Act," said Durbin. "This funding will make a … Continue Reading
September 29, 2009
Durbin Announces Nearly $1.5 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Implement Electronic Health Records
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $1,496,671 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Illinois health networks to implement electronic health records. The HHS's Health Resources and Services Administration awarded $27.8 million in Recovery Act funding to health centers nationwide for implementation of electronic health records and other health … Continue Reading
September 21, 2009
Durbin Announces $6.58 Million in DOT Grants for Illinois Transit
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that several Illinois transit projects have been funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Today's funding is part of the Department of Transportation's announcement of $100 million in Recovery Act funding for 40 transit agencies across the country that are pursuing cutting edge environmental technologies to help reduce global warming, lessen America's dependence on oil and create green … Continue Reading
September 17, 2009
Durbin: Senate Approves Over $27 Million in Transportation and Economic Development Funding for Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate has approved $27,004,744 in federal funding for Illinois transportation and economic development projects. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 appropriations bill for the Department of Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations includes funding for the following projects: Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration: • CTA Circle … Continue Reading
September 14, 2009
Durbin Urges Auto Manufacturers to Join Dealership Talks
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent letters to CEO's of General Motors and Chrysler today, urging them to participate in talks with the nation's leading dealership groups regarding the planned closure of over one thousand dealerships nationwide. "I write to urge [General Motors, Chrysler] to participate in a constructive dialogue with the key groups representing the hundreds of dealerships that received wind-down letters and are scheduled to close … Continue Reading
September 14, 2009
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 … Continue Reading
September 09, 2009
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 … Continue Reading