Lee, Durbin Introduce Smarter Sentencing Act Of 2015

WASHINGTON-Today, U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) were joined by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) to announce legislation to modernize federal drug sentencing polices by giving federal judges more discretion in sentencing those convicted of non-violent drug offenses. With prison populations skyrocketing and about half of the nation's federal inmates serving sentences for drug offenses, the proposed changes could save American tax… Continue Reading

Durbin, Bipartisan Senators Introduce Bill To Lift Cuban Embargo

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced bipartisan legislation to lift the Cuban trade embargo. Cosponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the bill will eliminate the legal barriers to Americans doing business in Cuba. The Freedom to Export to Cuba Act will pave the way for new economic opportunities for American businesses and farmers by boosting U.S. exports and allow Cubans greater acc… Continue Reading

Durbin Cosponsors Bill To Reform The Sugar Program And Save Consumers Billions

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today cosponsored a bipartisan bill that would reform the U.S. sugar program which supports artificially high sugar prices and cost consumers and businesses an estimated $14 billion since 2008. The sugar program hurts American workers by driving good jobs overseas; it hurts American consumers by increasing the price of products made with sugar; and it hurts sugar producers by driving down long term demand for their product. It is estimated th… Continue Reading

Durbin Hosts Illinois Members At Delegation Luncheon

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation at the first bipartisan Illinois Congressional Delegation Luncheon of the 114th Congress. Started by the late U.S. Senator Alan J. Dixon, the Delegation Luncheon has been held regularly in Washington, DC at no expense to the federal taxpayer for over 25 years. A photo of today's luncheon is available here. The luncheon today was attended by seven members of the Illinois Cong… Continue Reading

Durbin: GOP Wants To Deport 600,000 Dreamers As The Price For Funding DHS

[WASHINGTON, DC] - With just 15 days until the short-term funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security expires, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) came to the Senate Floor today to urge Senate Republicans to abandon efforts to play politics with the lives of young people impacted by immigration policies like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). During his speech, Durbin shared the story of Herta Llusho, who received DACA and is now working as an engineer at an energy company in Mi… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Peoria, Illinois Mayor Jim Ardis to discuss 2015 priorities and local economic development plans. A photo from today's meeting is available HERE. "I was pleased to sit down with Mayor Ardis today and discuss the goals he has for Peoria," Durbin said. "Peoria has always been a strong, vibrant city in Illinois. I remain committed to finding initiatives the federal government can take to improve Peoria going forward."… Continue Reading

Durbin Speaks At Community College Forum, Discusses Student Loan Debt, For-Profit Colleges, And Affordable Textbooks

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke to leaders from community colleges around the country who were in Washington, D.C. for the Association of Community College Trustees annual national legislative summit. Durbin discussed higher education issues including student loan debt, for-profit college oversight, and affordable textbooks. A photo from the meeting is available HERE. "If we expect our economy to grow, a generation of students cannot be saddled with crushing debt,… Continue Reading

Durbin Launches New And Improved Website

[WASHINGTON, D.C] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that he has launched a new, upgraded website which will be more user-friendly and expand services to Illinois constituents. In addition to many new features, the new site was built with dynamic page re-sizing software which will improve viewing experiences for people using a mobile device. The web address for the new site is durbin.senate.gov. "Our new and improved website will make it even easier for Illinoisans to connect… Continue Reading

Durbin Calls On EPA To Move Quickly On Renewable Fuel Standard Proposal

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following a meeting with leading biofuels coalition Fuels America, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to move expeditiously in setting production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014, and to move ahead on these levels for 2015 and 2016. A photo of today's meeting will be available shortly here. Earlier this week, Durbin joined a bipartisan group of 32 Senators in pressing the EPA to live up to its l… Continue Reading

Durbin, Blumenthal, Reed, Brown Introduce Legislation To Close Tobacco Tax Loopholes

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) was joined today by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in introducing the Tobacco Tax Equity Act to close loopholes in the tax code that have been exploited by the tobacco industry to avoid regulation and paying taxes for their products. This legislation would establish tax parity across all tobacco products, including new products determined to be a tobacco product by the U.S. Food and Drug Administ… Continue Reading

Durbin: It's Only Right Pullman Be Preserved And Honored As Part Of Our National Park System

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate regarding news that President Obama will designate a portion of Chicago's Pullman Historic District as a National Monument, making it a unit of the National Park System. Durbin, Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) have been working together to secure national park status for the architecturally unique neighborhood which played important roles in America's railroad, industri… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets With Leaders From Illinois Community Colleges To Discuss Higher Education Issues

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today with leaders from Illinois community colleges to discuss higher education issues including for-profit college oversight, the President's community college tuition proposal, and the overall state of Illinois' community colleges. U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) also attended today's meeting. A photo is available HERE. "After high school, while a student is deciding what to do next, the local community college is often a great place to start,"… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces A More Than $27.3 Million Investment In Chicagoland Health Care Programs, Community Health Centers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a total of $27,319,481 in grants to support the establishment or enhancement of several health care programs at health departments and community health centers in Chicago and Aurora, Illinois. "Community health centers are a valuable resource for families in both rural and urban medically underserved areas. Today's funding is an important investment in … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On The Death Of Alderman JoAnn Thompson

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after learning of the death of Alderman JoAnn Thompson. "Today, Chicago lost a dedicated public servant. Alderman Thompson was a charismatic fixture in Chicago politics and a determined advocate for the Englewood neighborhood. She saw potential in every corner of her community and worked to create opportunities and enrich the lives of others. I am thankful to have worked with JoAnn. Loretta and I send… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk, Kelly Celebrate News That Pullman Historical District Will Become Park Of The National Park System

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) today celebrated the news that President Obama will designate a portion of Chicago's Pullman Historic District as a National Monument, making it a unit of the National Park System. The Illinois members have been working together to secure national park status for the architecturally unique neighborhood which played important roles in America's railroad, industrial and labor history… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk, Foster, Lipinski: Argonne To Receive $2.9 Million Grant To Help Mass Transit Systems Prepare For & Respond To Emergency Events

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) announced today that that the Department of Transportation has awarded Argonne National Laboratory a $2,890,600 grant to conduct research examining the capacity of mass transit systems to plan for and respond to emergency events. Argonne's proposal was developed in partnership with the Metra, Pace Suburban Bus Service, Illinois Department of Trans… Continue Reading

Durbin Shares Story Of DACA Recipient Attending Loyola University Chicago's Medical School

[WASHINGTON, DC] - With just 17 days until the short-term funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security expires, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) came to the Senate Floor today to urge Senate Republicans to abandon efforts to play politics with the lives of young people impacted by immigration policies like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). During his speech, Durbin shared the story of Johana Mejias, who is currently enrolled at Loyola University Chicago's Stritch School of Me… Continue Reading

Durbin Votes To Confirm Michael Botticelli As Director Of The Office Of National Drug Control Policy

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today voted to confirm Michael Botticelli to be the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The Senate voted 92-0 to confirm him. Botticelli previously served as the Acting Director of ONDCP and has more than two decades of experience supporting Americans who have been affected by substance abuse disorders. Durbin met with Botticelli in December and a photo of that meeting is available HERE. "I want to congratulate … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Nearly $2.4 Million In Transportation Funding For University of Illinois Transit Project

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), announced today that the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) has been awarded $2,396,981 in funding through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support research efforts at UIUC's Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) to improve rail safety and infrastructure in Champaign, Illinois. "Illinois serves as a critical part of our national rail network," Durbin said. "The University of Illinois' transportation… Continue Reading

Durbin, Portman Launch Senate Ukraine Caucus

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Rob Portman (R-OH) announced the launch of the Senate Ukraine Caucus. The goal of the Caucus will be to strengthen the political, military, economic, and cultural relationship between the United States and Ukraine. The caucus will immediately focus on the need for a sustained U.S. commitment to Ukraine in the face of a Russian-backed separatist offensive. Durbin and Portman recently led a bipartisan group of 15 senators calling for the Uni… Continue Reading