Durbin, Lipinski Announce $400,000 To Upgrade Ventra App System To Include Divvy Bikes

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03), today announced that the Federal Transit Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has awarded the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) $400,000 to develop two modifications to the Ventra App that will allow customers to more easily access Divvy bikes at more than 580 bike share stations throughout Chicago. The enhancements will allow the nearly one million Ventra App customers to locate Div… Continue Reading

Durbin, Leading Senators Call For The Release Of Children In Prolonged Detention & An End To Family Detention

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with a group of leading Senators, pressed the Obama Administration to end the detention of women and children who have fled gang violence in Central America's Northern Triangle region. The letter was led by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and came after world leaders met in New York for the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants. In their letter to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, the lawmakers note that w… Continue Reading

Durbin, Senators Call For Justice Dept To Hold Wells Fargo Execs Accountable 

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and 12 other Senators to urge the Justice Department to investigate and, if appropriate, prosecute wrongdoing by executives at Wells Fargo after revelations that the bank's employees had opened millions of accounts without customer approval. In September, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued its largest penalty to date of over $100 million to the bank as a result of this multi-year, multi-state fra… Continue Reading

Durbin Demands Answers From Novum Pharma On Skyrocketing Drug Prices

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) called on Chicago-based Novum Pharma to explain sudden, dramatic price increases for three dermatological gels that treat common skin conditions like acne, dermatitis, and eczema. In a letter to Novum CEO Todd Smith, Durbin expressed concern that price hikes like those of Novum and Mylan, which has recently come under fire for increasing the price of the Epi-Pen, result in higher health insurance premiums for patients and increased costs for federal h… Continue Reading

Durbin, Senators Praise Dea Decision To Lower Opioid Quotas

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), and Joe Manchin (D-WV) today praised the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) decision to reduce next year's production quotas for nearly all Schedule II prescription opioids by 25 percent or more. Three powerful, addictive painkillers will see the most significant reductions from what is allowed on the market this year: hydrocodone (34% reduction), oxymorphon… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $1.1 Million To Support Runaway And Homeless Youth In Illinois

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded state organizations grants totaling $1,186,435 to provide housing support, case management, and treatment services for runaway and homeless youth in Illinois. These investments will provide critical services to keep homeless youth from entering the juvenile criminal justice system, mental health facilities, or child welfare programs. "This funding is an investment in … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $2.4 Million In Hud Funding For Illinois Fair Housing Initiatives

CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois organizations and non-profits will receive a total of $2,445,083 in grant funding through the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), a federal grant program administered by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist people who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination. "Unfortunately in this day and age, families and individuals across Illinois continue to experience discrimination when it … Continue Reading

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