Durbin To Senate GOP: Do Your Job, Give Supreme Court Nominee A Hearing And A Vote

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor about Senate Republicans' unprecedented obstruction of President Obama's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, Merrick Garland. 176 days after the President's nomination, Durbin once again called on Senate Republicans to fulfill their constitutional duty and give Judge Garland a hearing and a vote. "On September 26th, the Court will hold the first conference of its new term, still with only eight justices. The Senate has … Continue Reading

Durbin to Senate GOP: Do Your Job

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today blasted Senate Republican leaders for politicizing legislative efforts to address the growing Zika crisis. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin called on Republicans to stop endangering the health of pregnant women and babies and work with Democrats to pass bipartisan emergency funding legislation. "Seven months ago, the president asked Congress for $1.9 billion in emergency funding so that public health experts would have the resources the… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More Than $1.71 Million for Illinois Community Colleges & Universities

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded a total of $1,710,303 in federal funding for community colleges and universities throughout Illinois. Today's funding will help increase the self-sufficiency of community colleges and universities and support efforts to better serve low-income students. "This funding is an investment in our workforce, our economy, and our country's future," Durbin said. "These colleges are uni… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Over $1.43 In Federal Funding To Assist Victims Of Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence In Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $1,439,532 in federal funding to Illinois communities to support state coalitions and other organizations that provide essential services, civil and legal assistance programs, and related assistance to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. "Today's funding will help ensure that organizations assisting victims of sexual assault and domestic violence continue to ha… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Closure of ITT Tech

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after ITT Tech announced it will close. The company announced last week that it was no longer enrolling new students. "Every time I looked up at the ITT sign on the side of White Oaks Mall in Springfield I knew this day would come, and I knew that hundreds of innocent students, families, and ultimately the taxpayer would pay dearly for the exploitation by for-profit colleges that Congress and Washington fail to properl… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More Than $9.5 Million to Prevent Homelessness Among Illinois Veterans

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded Illinois organizations grants totaling $9,540,655 to prevent homelessness among veterans and their families. Today's funding will help pay for outreach, case management, and assistance related to VA benefits. More than $300 million were awarded nationwide today through the Department of Veterans Affairs' Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. "Too often, our… Continue Reading

Durbin Asks Illinois Community Colleges to Assist Students Caught in Collapse of ITT Tech

CHICAGO-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today wrote to community college presidents across Illinois to urge them to assist students whose futures are at risk from the expected financial collapse of ITT Tech, which announced on Tuesday that it has stopped enrolling new students. As part of new restrictions placed on ITT Tech, the Department of Education has required the company to enter into teach-out agreements with other schools. "As a result of its actions, ITT Tech has put the futures of … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More Than $8.9 Million For Head Start In Northern Illinois

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families has awarded the Two Rivers Head Start Agency $8,974,896 to support early education and comprehensive family support services in Kane, Kendall, Grundy, DeKalb, and Boone Counties. "The Head Start program is the source of countless success stories in Illinois and around the country-it's a stepping stone children need to succeed from elementary school… Continue Reading

Durbin, Schakowsky Call for Increased Resources for Mental Health Services on College Campuses

CHICAGO - As students head back to school at colleges and universities across the country, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) today discussed their legislation to improve mental health services on college campuses. The Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act would make federal help available for campuses to expand their mental health awareness, outreach, and direct support services. The bill was included as part of a bipartisan mental health reform p… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Funding to Support Independent Living for Seniors

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has selected the Center of Concern, located in Park Ridge, to receive up to $321,183 to support independent living among seniors living in suburban Cook County. Today's funding, provided through the CNCS' Senior Corps Senior Companion Program, will help partner volunteers age 55 and older with seniors and people with disabilities who have difficulties completing daily tasks. … Continue Reading

Durbin: Illinois Awarded $2,000,000 In Federal Funding To Combat Prescription Drug Overdose Epidemic

[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced Illinois will receive $2,000,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Medication-Assisted Treatment Opioid Addiction Program and Opioid Overdose Prevention Program. The federal grant programs provide states like Illinois with resources and support to expand access to treatment services for persons with opioid use disorder and to reduce opioid overdose-related deaths. Today's announcement coinc… Continue Reading

Durbin Welcomes NIH Director to Chicago to Highlight Need for Strong National Commitment to Medical Research Funding

CHICAGO - In an effort to preserve the United States' global competitiveness, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) welcomed National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis Collins, MD, PhD, to Chicago today and called for strengthened federal funding for breakthrough scientific and biomedical research.? For several years, Durbin has championed increased federal investment to reverse years of cuts and flat funding for our nation's biomedical research agencies, including the NIH. After discussi… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $3.9 Million For Head Start In East Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families has awarded the East Central Illinois Community Action Agency $3,900,107 to support early education and comprehensive family support services in Ford, Iroquois, and Vermillion Counties. "The Head Start program is the source of countless success stories in Illinois and around the country-it's a stepping stone children need to succeed from elemen… Continue Reading

Durbin, Senators Raise Concerns About Mylan’s Epipen Price Hike & Expanded Patient Assistance Program

[CHICAGO, IL] - In a letter sent today to the CEO of pharmaceutical company Mylan, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined 19 senators in expressing their serious concerns about the company's recent significant price hikes for the life-saving EpiPen Auto-Injector. The senators raised questions about Mylan's decision to expand its patient assistance program, which allows the company to sharply increase prices while passing the cost of these increases onto insurance companies and ultimately to cons… Continue Reading

Durbin, Quigley, Schakowsky, Duckworth Announce $20 Million For Noise Mitigation For O’hare Area Homeowners

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL-5), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL-8) today announced $20 million in federal funding for aircraft noise mitigation efforts near O'Hare International Airport. Today's funding, awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will help soundproof residences with noise levels between 65 and 69 DNL. "This welcome investment by the FAA will improve the quality of life of O'Hare area re… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces DOJ Awards To Support Law Enforcement In Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $279,269 in federal funding to support law enforcement efforts across Illinois. Today's funding, awarded though the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, will be used to purchase equipment and support personnel costs. "This grant will help equip our law enforcement officers with the best, most up-to-date tools to do their jobs effectively and keep residents safe," said Durbin. Under this announcement, the following cit… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Department of Education Actions Against ITT Tech

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education announced it would place additional restrictions on ITT Educational Services, Inc. (ITT Tech) to protect students and taxpayers. As part of today's announcement, ITT Tech will be banned from enrolling new students using federal financial aid, must notify current students that the institution is not in compliance with accreditor standards, and will be required to pay an additional… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces DOJ Funding To Support Law Enforcement In Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $879,227 in federal funding to support law enforcement efforts across Illinois. These investments, awarded though the Department of Justice, will be used to purchase vehicles and equipment, support personnel costs, and enhance existing programs. "Today's funding will help equip our law enforcement officers with the best, most up-to-date tools to do their jobs effectively and keep residents safe," said Durbin. Under this announcement, … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Federal Funding For Rural Development Projects In Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $22,527,700 in federal funding, including $5,107,700 in grant awards, to support rural development projects across Illinois. Today's funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Development grant and loan programs, will support water and waste infrastructure projects, small business initiatives and local economic development. "This funding will help boost small and new businesses in Illinois," said Durb… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces DOJ Award To Support Law Enforcement In Rock Island

SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $29,003 in federal funding to support law enforcement efforts in Rock Island County. Today's funding, awarded though the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, will be used to purchase Tasers and other security equipment. "This grant will help equip our law enforcement officers with the best, most up-to-date tools to do their jobs effectively and keep residents safe," said Durbin.… Continue Reading