Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Jobs and the Economy
Durbin Announces $94 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Metra Repairs
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Metra a $94,222,481 grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. "The Recovery Act funding announced today will create good paying jobs in Illinois and increase the appeal of public transit as an affordable, reliable, environmentally friendly alternative to car travel," said Durbin. Last week, Metra was awarded a $46.6 million grant for bridge … Continue Reading
June 19, 2009
Durbin Announces $46 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Metra Repairs
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Metra a $46,603,124 grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Today's funding will be used for bridge rehabilitation and reconstruction specifically on the Electric District and the Union Pacific North Line. The funding will also be used for the replacement of fiber optic cable on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe commuter rail line. "Today's … Continue Reading
June 17, 2009
Durbin Discusses Travel Promotion Bill That Will Support Illinois Tourism
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 on the floor of the United States Senate. The legislation will promote tourism to the U.S. while streamlining the process visitors go through to enter the county. More than that, the bill advances Chicago's interest in being awarded the 2016 Olympic Games by setting up stronger entities to promote internationally the benefits of visiting America. "In Illinois, tourism … Continue Reading
June 17, 2009
Durbin Announces $1.3 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Eaton Water District in Annapolis
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a $1,375,000 loan with funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Eaton Water District in Annapolis, Illinois. Today's funding announcement is part of a nationwide announcement of $125 million in funding for water and environmental projects that will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems … Continue Reading
June 12, 2009
Durbin and Illinois Delegation Members: FutureGen Alliance Board Approves Agreement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the FutureGen Alliance Board of Directors for overwhelmingly approving the agreement that was recently negotiated between the Department of Energy (DOE) and members of the FutureGen Alliance. "For nearly a year and a half, the people of Illinois have endured delays, reversals and disagreements over costs and funding of FutureGen. Today, patience and perseverance pay off - FutureGen at Mattoon is … Continue Reading
June 10, 2009
Durbin Announces $1 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $1,000,000 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District. Today's funding will be used for the purchase and installation of a safety and security system at transit district's facilities and bus stop locations. Cameras with motion detectors will be installed at the Illinois Terminal, … Continue Reading
June 10, 2009
Durbin Announces $127 Million in CDBG Funding for Disaster Recovery in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be releasing $127,270,128 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for disaster recovery in Illinois. This is the remaining CDBG funding for relief efforts following the flooding along the Mississippi River in June 2008 bringing the total amount of CDBG funding for disaster recovery to $186.5 million for Illinois. "Nearly a year … Continue Reading
June 03, 2009
Durbin, Quinn, Daley Call on Midwest Governors to Increase Efforts to Secure High Speed Rail Funding
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn joined Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in calling on seven Midwestern Governors to increase their efforts and regional coordination on high speed rail through a regional Rail Summit held in Chicago - the Midwest rail system's hub - this summer. Today's announcement followed a meeting between Durbin and Quinn where they also discussed moving forward with Illinois's bid for the $8 billion … Continue Reading
June 02, 2009
Durbin Announces $5.9 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Illinois Floodplain Easement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $5,946,931 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for floodplain easement in Illinois. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s floodplain easement program allows for the acquisition of private, local government or state owned lands that have been damaged by flooding at least once in the last 12 months or twice in the past 10 years. Once the easements have been … Continue Reading
June 02, 2009
Durbin Announces Nearly $16 Million in DOT Funding for Illinois Airports
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $15,978,467 in grants to five Illinois airports. "Today's grants will allow airports in Illinois make needed improvements and upgrades to help them serve travelers more safely and efficiently," said Durbin. "These important projects will also create good paying jobs throughout Illinois during the current construction season." The following airports will … Continue Reading
May 21, 2009
Durbin, Matsui Introduce Bill to Increase Public Health Workforce
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Congresswoman Doris Matsui today in introducing the Public Health Workforce Act of 2009. This legislation aims to increase the pipeline of qualified public health workers at the federal, state, local and tribal levels by offering scholarships to students going into the public health field. It also encourages current employees to stay in the public health field by providing loan repayments in exchange for a … Continue Reading
May 20, 2009
Durbin Meets with Northern Illinois Officials to Discuss Passenger Rail to Rockford
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with several communities leaders from Winnebago, Stephenson and Boone Counties to discuss the proposed Chicago-Rockford-Dubuque Amtrak route as part of the group's annual trip to Washington. Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) attended today's meeting which included the following officials: Mayor of Rockford, Larry Morrissey; Mayor of Freeport, George Gaulrapp; and Mayor of Belvidere, Fred Brereton. "The officials … Continue Reading
May 19, 2009
Durbin Announces $6 Million in Recovery Act Funding for O'Hare Noise Mitigation
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $6,000,000 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the City of Chicago for noise mitigation measures at public buildings near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. This grant will fund sound proofing efforts - including acoustic window unit, ceiling, vestibule and doorway installment, mechanical and electrical system revision and existing … Continue Reading
May 15, 2009
Durbin Announces $2.5 Million in Recovery Act Funding for NIH Research in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive $2,528,063 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These National Institutes of Health grants, allocated by the Department of Health and Human Services, will support biomedical research and training. The following programs in Illinois will receive funding: • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: $230,281 in funding for a study that seeks to … Continue Reading
May 12, 2009
Durbin Announces More Than $5.2 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Illinois Airports
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $5,281,580 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the state of Illinois for airport improvements. "Rehabilitation of airport infrastructure will put people to work immediately on projects that will help Illinois airports serve travelers safely and efficiently," said Durbin. The following airports will receive … Continue Reading
May 11, 2009
Durbin Announces $3.55 Million in Recovery Act and General EPA Funding for Environmental Cleanup in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive a total of $3.55 million in funding through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the assessment and cleanup of properties where hazardous chemical or pollutants may be present. The funding will go toward the renewal and revitalization of distressed industrial and commercial sites, with a goal of turning problem … Continue Reading
May 08, 2009
Durbin Announces $3.8 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Illinois 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 $3,860,677.60 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to streamline baggage screening and enhance security capabilities at Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport in Springfield and Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The funding distribution will be determined at a later date based on plans to be submitted by each airport. … Continue Reading
May 06, 2009
Mortgage Foreclosures
Delivered on the floor of the United States Senate Madam President, there was a debate last week on the floor of the Senate about the mortgage foreclosure crisis facing America. It was estimated a year ago we were going to lose 2 million homes to mortgage foreclosure. The new estimate from Moody's is 8 million homes. What does that mean? It means one out of every six home mortgages will face foreclosure. That is a national crisis. It is at the heart of this recession. The … Continue Reading
April 30, 2009
Durbin Announces $589,531 in Recovery Act Funding for NIH Research in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive $589,531 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These National Institutes of Health grants, allocated by the Department of Health and Human Services, will support biomedical research and training. The following programs in Illinois will receive funding: • Northwestern University: $68,625 in funding to investigate whether the use of endothelial … Continue Reading
April 29, 2009
Supporting the Budget Resolution
Delivered on the floor of the United States Senate Mr. President, I thank the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Senator Conrad of North Dakota, not only for yielding but also for his leadership in the preparation of this important document. The budget resolution is a blueprint. We pass it and then we go to work with the individual parts of it in the appropriations bills. But we have to get this done first because the budget resolution tells us how much we can spend in total. … Continue Reading