Citing Patient Concerns, Durbin, Illinois Lawmakers Call For Delay Of Medicare Home Health Pilot Program

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with the entire Illinois delegation, today called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to delay further implementation of the Pre-Claim Review Demonstration (PCRD) in Illinois, which has resulted in unintended consequences for patient access to care and provider capacity for Medicare home health services. Currently, between 60-80 percent of PCRD submissions in Illinois are being non-affirmed by the Medicare Administrative Contra… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Over $4.1 Million In Federal Funding For Illinois Law Enforcement

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program has awarded four communities in Illinois $4,125,000 in funding to recruit or rehire thirty-three police officers. "Our nation's law enforcement officers are called upon day after day to serve and protect our residents," Durbin said. "However, tight budgets are forcing many local law enforcement agencies to reduce the number of officers on duty. … Continue Reading

Durbin, Blumenthal, Brown, Carper Urge Va To Cut Off Computer Systems Institute From Gi Bill

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Tom Carper (D-DE) urged the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to protect student veterans and taxpayers by withdrawing Computer Systems Institute (CSI) from participation in the GI Bill program. In a letter to VA Secretary Robert McDonald, the senators questioned why the VA has been slow to take action against the for-profit college despite clear evidence from the Department of Education (E… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On Latest In String Of For-Profit College Closures

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement after Minnesota-based Regency Beauty Institute became the latest for-profit college to close its doors, leaving students in academic and financial limbo. "Another overcharging, underperforming for-profit 'college' has closed its doors. It won't be the last. If you think the pace of closure of these half-baked excuses for higher education and training is becoming more frequent, you are not wrong. Now with the collapse of … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $1.6 Million To Illinois Organizations To Support Human Trafficking Victims

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded Illinois organizations grants totaling $1,628,811 to provide comprehensive services to victims of human and sex trafficking. "Today's funding will help ensure that Illinois' organizations have access to critical funding and resources to provide crucial assistance to victims of human and sex trafficking," said Durbin. "Human trafficking is a global scourge and I will continue working with … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $5 Million Investment In Northwest Illinois Transportation Infrastructure

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the cities of Savanna and Rochelle, Illinois have received nearly $5 million through the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants to invest in transportation infrastructure projects, boosting economic development and creating jobs throughout the region. "Not only will this federal investment support local construction jobs, it will also encourage private investment and help attract new busines… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $9 Million To Improve Airport Safety

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has awarded Illinois airports grants totaling $9,499,326 for safety improvement projects, including runway and taxiway rehabilitation. "These critical funds will help improve safety for travelers flying in and out of our state," said Durbin. "Investing in our airports is key to our state's economic success, and I will continue working t… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $1.7 Million To Combat Violence Against Women

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded Illinois agencies and organizations grants totaling $1,798,279 to prevent, combat, and investigate sexual assault and violence against women. "Today's funding will help ensure that Illinois' organizations and agencies have access to critical funding and resources to assist victims of sexual assault, sex trafficking, and domestic violence," said Durbin. "This important investment provides … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $2 Million To Support Law Enforcement Efforts In Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $2,098,785 in federal funding to support law enforcement efforts in Illinois. Today's funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), will help pay for equipment, training, and personnel retention as well as critical services for victims of crime and individuals with drug addiction. "This infusion of federal dollars will strengthen our state's justice system and make Illinois a safer place to live," said Senator Durbin. … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On The Death Of Former Israeli President And Prime Minister Shimon Peres

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after learning of the death of Shimon Peres, former Israeli president and prime minister. "Israel has lost one of its true champions. It was my honor to meet Shimon Peres and to be a part of the delegation welcoming him to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. He had a passionate commitment to Israel and to the cause of peace."… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Secretary Of Education To Discuss Debt Relief For ITT Tech Students

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with U.S. Department of Education Secretary John King, Under Secretary Ted Mitchell, and Chief Enforcement Officer Rob Kaye to discuss the closure of ITT Tech Educational Services, Inc. (ITT Tech), debt relief options for ITT Tech students, and the future of for-profit colleges. The group was joined by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). During the meeting, Senator Durbin praised the Department for its decision in Augu… Continue Reading

Durbin: Taking In Refugees Not Only The Right Thing To Do, It’s Best For America’s National Security

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today served as ranking member of a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration entitled Oversight of the Administration's FY17 Refugee Resettlement Program. "We are in the midst of the largest refugee crisis in history," said Durbin. "More than 65 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes. The brutal Syrian conflict, the epicenter of this crisis, has killed hundreds of thousands, injured more than a million, and dis… Continue Reading

Durbin, Coons, Democratic Senators Introduce Bill to Limit Use of Solitary Confinement

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Al Franken (D-MN) today introduced legislation to reduce the Federal Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) use of solitary confinement and improve conditions for inmates separated from the general prison population. The Solitary Confinement Reform Act limits solitary confinement to the briefest term and under the least restrictive conditions possible, improves access to mental health service… Continue Reading

Durbin Introduces Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have introduced legislation to help Americans burdened by the costs of illness or injury. The Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2016 would make the bankruptcy process more forgiving for those driven to insolvency by health care-related debt or loss of income. "Nobody should ever have to choose between their physical health and their financial health, yet far too many Americans are driven in… Continue Reading

Durbin Calls On EPA To Protect American Families From Toxic Asbestos And Flame Retardants

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to list asbestos and flame retardants among the top priority chemicals it will review under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which reforms the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Signed by President Obama in June, the law gives the EPA new authority to review and regulate chemicals based on the impact they have on the most vulnerable: infants, pregnant women, … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $9 Million To Combat Violence Against Women

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded Illinois agencies, organizations, and universities grants totaling $9,339,711 to prevent, combat, and investigate sexual assault and violence against women. Today's funding will also support critical victims' services, including counseling and housing assistance. "This investment not only improves our law enforcement's ability to prevent, investigate, and prosecute sexual assault and dome… Continue Reading

Durbin, Senators Demand Answers On Government Use Of Private Prisons

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined leading Democratic Senators to press the Obama administration on the use of private prisons and contract facilities by the Department of Homeland Security. The letter comes amid an internal review at DHS regarding its use of private prisons, and the Senators urged DHS to ensure the review was meaningful and genuine. In their letter to DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson, the Senators state that "we strongly oppose the use of for-profit prison compan… Continue Reading

Durbin, Warren, Schatz Introduce Bill To Reform College Accreditation And Strengthen Accountability For Students And Taxpayers

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Accreditation Reform and Enhanced Accountability Act of 2016 (AREAA), which seeks to reduce student debt and protect students and taxpayers by reforming higher education accreditation and strengthening the Department of Education's (ED) ability to hold accreditors accountable. College accreditation is the cornerstone of the nation's higher education quality assurance system, with accre… Continue Reading

Durbin, Leading Democratic Senators Call On Wells Fargo To End Use Of Forced Arbitration To Allow Customers To Seek Justice In Court

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and others to call on Wells Fargo to end the use of forced arbitration clauses that prevent customers whose names were used to open fraudulent accounts from seeking justice in court. Arbitration clauses force consumers to waive their rights to bring a claim in court or to band together in a class action, before any dispute has arisen. These clauses also deny access to the courts even when… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $3.7 Million To Address Youth Violence In Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded Illinois counties and agencies grants totaling $3,738,028 to address the problem of youth violence in Illinois. These investments will support programs that provide critical intervention services to keep youth from entering the juvenile criminal justice system and prevent juvenile offenders from relapsing into criminal behavior. "Exposure to violence has a profound psychological impact … Continue Reading