Durbin: Provision to Give National Guard Full Membership on the Joint Chiefs of Staff Approved by Senate

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the National Defense Authorization Act approved late tonight by the U.S. Senate included a provision that gives the Chief of the National Guard full voting membership on the Joint Chiefs of Staff - the biggest change since the Marine Corps was given full membership in 1979. This bipartisan measure was strongly support by the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard Major General William L. Enyart. "This bill en… Continue Reading

Durbin, Lautenberg applaud DOJ Appeal of Ruling That Blocks New Tobacco Warning Labels

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today applauded the Obama Administration for its decision to appeal a court ruling that blocks the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from requiring new graphic warning labels on cigarette packages and advertisements. "We applaud the Justice Department for appealing this ruling and fighting for public health, especially the health of our children." the Senators said. "The FDA's new labels provide a warning about the r… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk to American Airlines: Keep Illinois Routes and Projects a Priority

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a letter to the Chairman and CEO of AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today urged the airline to make Illinois routes and projects - such as the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP) and downstate air service - a priority as it moves forward with bankruptcy proceedings. "American Airlines has a long history in Illinois: American began air service in Illinois in 1926, when Charles Lindbergh carr… Continue Reading

Durbin Launches Interactive County-by-County Map of Savings Illinois Families Can Expect from Payroll Tax Cut Extension

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) launched an interactive map on his website today that enables Illinois families to find out how much the Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2011 will save them in taxes next year. The legislation will extend President Obama's middle class tax cut-preventing a tax increase on millions of hardworking Illinoisans-and expand the cut in 2012 to put more money back in the pockets of American families. The Senate plans to vote on the measure later this week… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Over $6.3 Million Investment in Illinois Communities

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that three Illinois communities will receive $6,372,531 in grant funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s Community Development Block Grant Program and HOME program. These grants provide local units of government with funding for community development and the expansion of affordable housing programs. Under this announcement, the following communities will receive funding:… Continue Reading

Durbin Chairs Hearing on Balanced Budget Amendment

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), chaired a hearing today on the perils of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. The Budget Control Act, passed last August, requires a Congressional vote on a balanced budget amendment before the end of 2011. Today's hearing comes days before an expected Senate vote on a balanced budget measure. Two weeks a… Continue Reading

Durbin Pays Tribute to Chicago's Former First Lady Maggie Daley on Senate Floor

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today paid tribute to former first lady of Chicago, Maggie Daley on the floor of the U.S. Senate. "Maggie Daley was an adopted daughter of Chicago, but no native-born Chicagoan could have loved the city more or served it better. Last May, as her husband Rich prepared to step down at Chicago's mayor, the Chicago Tribune ran an article about what Maggie Daley had meant to Chicago. The first paragraph put it well. It read: 'There has never… Continue Reading

Tribute to Former Chicago First Lady Maggie Daley

Mr. President, I would like to take a few moments to pay tribute to a remarkable woman. Maggie Daley served with dignity and grace for 22 years as Chicago's First Lady. She died on Thanksgiving evening after a nearly decade-long struggle with metastatic breast cancer. She was at home, in her bed, surrounded by her family. There is a sad but fitting poignancy to the date. People in Chicago and far beyond have so many reasons to be thankful for the life of this exceptional woman. … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Over $3.2 Million Investment in Illinois Communities

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that two Illinois communities will receive $3,295,419 in grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding was awarded through the Community Challenge Grant program which aims to spur economic development for communities by providing funding for an initiative that will create jobs and encourage local investment. Under this announcement, the following Illinois communi… Continue Reading

Durbin: Extending Middle Class Payroll Tax Cut Will Help Working Families and Our Economy

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the floor of the United States Senate in support of the Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2011. The legislation will extend President Obama's middle class tax cut -preventing a tax increase on millions of hardworking Illinoisans-and expand the cut in 2012 to put more money back in the pockets of Americans across the country and help get our economy moving in the right direction again. The Senate plans to vote on the measure later this… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on FutureGen Alliance Decision to Take Full Control of Plant Retrofit at Meredosia

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the FutureGen Alliance announced it will move forward with FutureGen 2.0 by purchasing portions of the Meredosia Energy Center from Ameren Energy Resources Company. "It is good news that the Alliance reached an agreement today with Ameren to negotiate the purchase of the Meredosia Energy Center. "With a strong FutureGen Alliance in full control of the plant retrofit, the FutureGen 2.0 proje… Continue Reading

Senator Dick Durbin Statement on the Passing of Maggie Daley

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the death of Maggie Daley: "Chicago and Illinois have lost a great and caring woman. Those of us whose lives were touched by her warm smile and inner strength will dearly miss Maggie Daley. "Loretta and I have lost a dear friend but feel blessed to have traveled part of our life's journey with her and Rich. We remember last St. Patrick's Day at Old St. Pat's when Maggie's struggles were quickly fo… Continue Reading

Durbin Joins Hunger Caucus in Urging Members to Raise Awareness

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) - a co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus - today joined his fellow co-chairs in encouraging members of the Senate to dedicate one hour during the holiday season to raising awareness and recognizing efforts underway in their states to combat hunger. The Hour for Hunger initiative seeks to remind members that hunger knows no boundaries and when working together, this is a fight we can win. Co-chairs of the bipartisan Hunger Caucus include: Senato… Continue Reading

Senators Commend MLB for Taking Action Against Smokeless Tobacco Use

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) commended Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Player's Association for taking action against smokeless tobacco use both on and off the field. Under a new collective bargaining agreement announced today, players, managers, and coaches will be prohibited from using smokeless tobacco during televised interviews and Club appearances and, when fans are permitted in… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces a Nearly $1.1 Million FEMA Grant for Flood Protection Efforts in Winnebago County

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Winnebago County has been awarded a $1,084,525 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for flood protection efforts. "This project will protect the health, safety and welfare of Winnebago county residents," said Durbin. "By supporting flood control efforts, this federal funding will help reduce costs to the local government for emergency rescue, infrastructure repair, debris removal and emergency sh… Continue Reading

Durbin: STB Taking a Closer Look at Canadian National in Light of Recent Train Derailment

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a letter to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Surface Transportation Board (STB) confirmed that they are closely monitoring Canadian National's operation of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern (EJ&E) Railway and working with the Federal Railroad Administration in light of a recent train derailment. The train which was reportedly carrying hazardous material chemicals - sodium hydroxide and ferric sulfate - derailed on November 3, throwing 22 train cars off the tracks a… Continue Reading

Durbin Urges Consumer Bankers Association's Membership to Adopt Fee Disclosure Form

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a letter today, US Senator Dick Durbin asked the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) to urge their membership to adopt clear and easy-to-understand fee disclosure forms after CBA President Richard Hunt said that he and his membership supports transparency. "On November 3, you stated publicly that 'CBA and our member banks support clear and easy-to-understand disclosures which are meaningful for our customers.' I commend you for this statement and agree that it is impor… Continue Reading

Durbin Confirms Army will Preserve Nine Firefighter Jobs at Rock Island Arsenal

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Tom Lamont, who confirmed that the nine firefighter and emergency medical positions will be preserved at Rock Island Arsenal. According to Lamont, the cuts were mistakenly included in announcement of reductions to the civilian personnel workforce at Rock Island Arsenal and Army facilities nationwide. "Today, I was assured that the Army will preserve the nine firefighter and emergency me… Continue Reading

Durbin and Kirk Introduce Legislation to Protect School Children with Allergies

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today introduced a bill to encourage schools across the country to maintain access to critical life saving medication for children with food and other allergies. The School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act will encourage states across the nation to improve school access to epinephrine auto-injectors, like the EpiPen, to be used if students have life threatening systemic allergic reactions. "Every day, a… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Next Step in the Implementation of New U.S. Deportation Policy

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin released the following statement today after the Department of Homeland Security announced the next steps in the implementation of the Obama Administration's new deportation policy: "I strongly support the Obama Administration's new deportation policy and I commend the Department of Homeland Security for the steps it is taking today to implement this policy. But more needs to be done, and it needs to be done quickly. Many young people who would … Continue Reading