Durbin: Obama Budget Preserves Funding for Innovation & Research at Argonne National Lab & Fermilab

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said the budget that President Obama delivered to Congress today preserves essential federal funding for scientific research and development programs that support work at both Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab. The President's budget request includes $5.1 billion for the Department of Energy's Office of Science, which is the primary funding source for both Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab. Together, Argonne and Fermilab employ roughly 4,600 Illinois… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Farm Bill, Renewable Fuel Standards and Agricultural Priorities with the Illinois Farm Bureau

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with representatives of the Illinois Farm Bureau to discuss the importance of continuing to support and invest in Illinois' agricultural communities. The group discussed the Farm Bill, renewable fuel standards and waterway infrastructure. A photo of Durbin's meeting is available here. "I was pleased to meet with the Illinois Farm Bureau today to discuss the new Farm Bill which gives farmers across Illinois the certainty they need to plan ahead. It s… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk Sponsor Resolution for "Jan Karski Day"

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today introduced a resolution that would designate April 24, 2014, as "Jan Karski Day" to honor the legacy of the member of the Polish underground resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II who was among the first to provide eyewitness accounts of the horrors of the Holocaust. "I was lucky enough to study under Professor Jan Karski as a student at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Se… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk Statement on FEMA Denial of Public Assistance for Nine Illinois Counties

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today released the following statement after learning that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied Illinois' appeal of the agency's original decision not to award Public Assistance funding to the nine Southern and Central Illinois counties that are rebuilding after deadly tornadoes struck the state on November 17, 2013. Though more than $21 million in federal aid through FEMA's Individual Assistance program has alre… Continue Reading

Durbin Asks Department of Education to Investigate ITT Educational Services

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today once again asked the Department of Education to investigate a for-profit college over allegations of deceptive and misleading practices. It was announced yesterday that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) had filed suit against ITT Educational Services for predatory lending practices that include pressuring students into high cost loans, misleading students about job prospects and misleading students about the transferability of credits to other… Continue Reading

Durbin, Bustos Ask President to Include Additional Funding for Thomson in his 2015 Budget

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (IL-17) today sent a letter to President Obama asking him to include the necessary funding for the second year of activation of the Thomson Correction Center in his Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Budget request which will be released on Tuesday. "We write today to respectfully request that you prioritize the activation of Illinois' Thomson Correctional Center in your FY15 budget proposal which is expected to be released on March 4, … Continue Reading

Durbin Calls for an End to 'Friday Night Tykes'

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Esquire Network to remove the new show "Friday Night Tykes" from its line-up because it glorifies a culture of violent competitiveness that can be dangerous for the safety and long term health of children. In a letter to the network's President, Adam Stotsky, Durbin cited instances where football coaches encourage 8 and 9 year-old children to deliver repeated blows to the head and to play through injury. "Many school districts are making p… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk, Schock Press for Public Assistance Funding in Meeting with FEMA Administrator

In a meeting with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator, Craig Fugate, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Representative Aaron Schock (R-IL) today pressed once again for a public assistance designation that would allow federal aid funding to flow to the nine Southern and Central Illinois counties that are rebuilding after deadly tornadoes struck the state on November 17, 2013. During today's meeting, the members shared their concerns r… Continue Reading

Durbin, Boxer, Harkin, Blumenthal, Markey Introduce Legislation to Help Protect Kids from E-Cigarettes

U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) today introduced the Protecting Children from Electronic Cigarette Advertising Act to prohibit the marketing of e-cigarettes to children and teens. "E-cigarette makers are adopting the deplorable marketing tactics once used by tobacco companies to entice children and teenagers into using their addictive product. With fruit and candy flavors and glossy celebrity ads, … Continue Reading

Durbin: Time to End Use of Solitary Confinement for Juveniles, Pregnant Women, and those with Serious Mental Illness

Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) called for an end to the use of solitary confinement for juveniles, pregnant women and those with serious and persistent mental illness during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. Durbin, who chaired the hearing, urged further reform of the controversial detention practice so the United States can protect human rights, improve public safety, and be more fiscally responsible. "Thirty… Continue Reading

Durbin: $320 Million Public-Private Partnership Brings Future of American Manufacturing Competitiveness to Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said that the $70 million grant awarded to UI Labs will bring the future of American manufacturing to Illinois. Under today's announcement, Chicago will host a new national Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation (or Digital Lab) organized by the Department of Defense that is expected to create thousands of jobs in advanced manufacturing fields, improve military readiness and make our economy more competitive. As the Assistant Senate M… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Crisis in Ukraine

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement today in light of the continuing violence in Ukraine: "Ukrainian government officials involved in violence-and the Russian oligarchs who are backing them-should face a freeze on their assets and a visa ban from the United States if they continue this bloodbath. The Ukrainian people deserve an accommodation that respects historical ties to Russia but also re… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kelly Ask U.S. Attorney Fardon to Explain Federal Role in Harvey

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) today called on U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon to explain the federal government's role in Harvey, Illinois particularly as it relates to combating violent crime which has gone largely unpunished in the suburban Chicago town. Their letter follows a series of Chicago Tribune articles concerning violent crime in Harvey and questionable conduct in Harvey by local law enforcement, local government, and fed… Continue Reading

Senators Urge Top Cigarette Retailer to Remove Tobacco Products from Stores

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following last week's announcement that CVS Caremark would begin removing tobacco products from its more than 7,600 U.S. stores, seven United States Senators today urged Walmart - the number one retailer of cigarettes in the country - to do the same, and stop selling tobacco products in its stores. Today's letter was signed by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-C… Continue Reading

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

WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with leaders from Illinois community colleges to discuss higher education issues including reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, college textbook affordability, student loan debt, and the Community College to Career Fund Act. A photo of today's meeting is available here. "I was pleased to meet with representatives of the fine community colleges across Illinois," Durbin said. "Community colleges make up the largest and most aff… Continue Reading

Durbin and Franken Ask Fed To Do More To Protect American Consumers From Payment Card Fraud

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Al Franken (D-MN) today wrote to the Chair of the Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen, asking her and the Federal Reserve Board to enhance payment card security by providing oversight and enforcement of a fraud prevention law that Congress enacted in 2010. Today's letter follows last week's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the series of recent data breaches which put consumers' credit and debit card information at risk. "We write today … Continue Reading

Durbin Introduces Bill to Support Military Families By Fixing Inconsistency in GI Bill Benefit Transfer Eligibility

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation that would support military families by extending Post-911 GI Bill education benefits to foster children and legal wards. The GI Education Benefits Fairness Act was introduced last year on a bipartisan basis in the House of Representations by U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). "The Post-9/11 GI Bill - the most comprehensive education benefits package for service members … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces a More Than $510,000 Investment in Illinois Firefighters

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded a $510,094 in grant to two Illinois fire departments for recruitment initiatives aimed at increasing the number of frontline firefighters. "Today's grant ensures that when fires or other emergencies occur, firefighters and first-responders will always stand ready to protect the communities they bravely serve," Durb… Continue Reading

Following CVS Announcement, Eight Senators Urge Drug Stores to Remove Tobacco Products from Stores

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] On the heels of an announcement from CVS Caremark that the company plans to pull tobacco products from its more than 7,600 U.S. stores, eight Senators - including U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senate HELP Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) - today urged other chain drug stores to follow CVS' example, remove tobacco products from their shelves, and promote tobacco cessation efforts in its stores. Durbin, Harkin, and U.S. Senators Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Jack Reed (D… Continue Reading

Durbin Urges Expansion of VA Family Caregiver Program

[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged Congress to expand the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Family Caregiver program which he created. Next week the Senate will consider a veterans bill which contains a provision extending eligibility for the program to caregivers of all veterans. Currently only the family members of those who served in Iraq or Afghanistan may participate. "I created the Family Caregiver Program in 2009 so that the caregivers of severely injured Ir… Continue Reading