Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights in the 112th Congress
Durbin: Liquor Sale Cut-Off Should Be Permanent, Late Night Club Scene Still Must Be Addressed
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after learning that East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks temporarily suspended all non-casino sales of liquor after 1:00 AM following weekend shootings outside two East St. Louis night clubs. "This weekend's tragic and fatal violence at East St. Louis late night clubs should give Mayor Parks all the evidence he needs to step up and do the right thing. Temporary, half-way, half-hearted responses by Mayor … Continue Reading
March 05, 2012
Durbin, Nelson Statement on the Department of Justice's Challenge of Florida's New Voting Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - United States Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) each released the following statements today after the U.S. Department of Justice filed papers in court challenging portions of Florida's new voting law. "The Justice Department has made the right decision in challenging Florida's new voting law," Durbin said. "The Florida law's onerous new restrictions are unfair, unwise and will have a disproportionate impact on minority, young, low income and other … Continue Reading
March 05, 2012
Durbin Calls on Mayor Parks to Rein In Club Scene and Stop Late Night Liquor Sales
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on East St. Louis Mayor Alvin L. Parks Jr., to partner with federal, state and local officials to reduce crime in East St. Louis by reining in the city's club scene and stopping late night liquor sales. "It is imperative that the leadership of East St. Louis put the safety of East St. Louis residents before the interests of the liquor stores, night clubs and other establishments that attract crime. Simply put, the nightclubs and the liquor sales … Continue Reading
February 16, 2012
Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Federal Judicial Nominees in Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and a representative from U.S. Senator Mark Kirk's (R-IL) office today announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which Durbin is a member, has approved by voice vote John Lee and John Tharp for federal judgeships on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. Their nominations will now proceed to a vote by the full Senate. "I am pleased the Judiciary Committee has approved these two outstanding Illinois … Continue Reading
February 15, 2012
Durbin and Coburn Question Twitter on New Censorship Policy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - US Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) sent a letter to Twitter CEO, Dick Costolo, asking for detailed information about the social media giant's announcement that it would begin censoring content in particular countries. Durbin, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, and Coburn have held two hearings examining tech industry practices in internet-restricting countries and efforts to promote internet … Continue Reading
February 09, 2012
Durbin, Grassley Bill to Require Televising Supreme Court Proceedings Passes Committee Test
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A bill to require open proceedings of the Supreme Court to be televised, introduced by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee today by a vote of 11-7. The Cameras in the Courtroom Act of 2011 would require television coverage of all open sessions of the Court, unless the Court decides, by a vote of the majority of justices, that … Continue Reading
January 27, 2012
Durbin Chairs First-ever Field Hearing on Florida's Voting Law
[TAMPA, FLORIDA] - US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, held a field hearing in Tampa, Florida today, examining the impact of Florida's new voting law, which restricts early voting and makes it harder for third-party groups to help people register to vote. Today's hearing comes just four days before Florida's presidential primary. "Four days from now, hundreds of thousands of people across the … Continue Reading
January 26, 2012
Durbin Introduces Illinois Residents at Senate Committee Hearing on Northern District Judicial Nominations
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced John Lee and John "Jay" Tharp at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on their nominations by President Obama to fill two vacancies on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. Their nominations are expected to receive a vote in the committee within the next few weeks. If approved, their nominations will receive a vote by the full Senate. A spokesperson Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) provided the … Continue Reading
January 12, 2012
Durbin Announces Field Hearing on Florida Voting Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, today announced a field hearing examining the impact of Florida's new voting law, which restricts early voting and makes it harder for third-party groups to help people register to vote. The hearing will be held on January 27th, just days before the Florida Presidential Primary, at the Hillsborough County Courthouse in downtown Tampa. Among … Continue Reading
November 10, 2011
Durbin, Kirk Statement on White House Nominees to Fill Federal Judgeship in Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that President Obama has nominated John Lee and John Tharp to fill two vacancies on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. The Senators released the following statement: "We are pleased President Obama nominated John Tharp and John Lee to serve on the federal bench. Both individuals are eminently qualified and we will work together to ensure their swift confirmation in the … Continue Reading
November 07, 2011
Durbin Calls on Federal and Local Law Enforcement Officials to Develop Action Plan to Apprehend International Fugitives
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Prompted by a Chicago Tribune investigation, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on federal and local law enforcement officials to develop an action plan to apprehend international fugitives wanted for committing serious crimes in Illinois. While noting a shared concern over the growing problem, Durbin asked for a meeting between federal, state and local law enforcement officials to make sure that all efforts are coordinated in order to bring these dangerous … Continue Reading
November 01, 2011
Durbin: Bill to Fund Departments of Agriculture, Transportation, Justice, Others Protects Several Illinois Priorities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate has approved a bill to fund several federal agencies for the 2012 fiscal year that includes funding that will enhance programs and create jobs in Illinois. Many of these priorities were included in President Obama's 2012 Budget and supported by Durbin. High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail On September 21, Durbin - a Co-Chair and founding member of the Bi-Cameral High- Speed & Intercity Passenger … Continue Reading
September 24, 2011
Durbin Applauds Faith Leaders for Holding DREAM Sabbath
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) commended religious leaders from a broad variety of faith traditions today for celebrating the DREAM Sabbath - an initiative enlisting churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples around the country to dedicate time during their regular weekly worship service to a conversation about the DREAM Act. The nationwide event began this weekend, and will continue into the fall. The DREAM Sabbath was created to build on the broad grassroots support for … Continue Reading
September 21, 2011
Durbin Announces Over $4.8 Million DOJ Investment to Enhance the Justice System in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $4,850,881 in grants to support the establishment or enhancement of several justice system programs in Illinois. These programs provide support and services to a number of Illinois communities through research and education initiatives, family or adult drug treatment courts, and juvenile delinquent rehabilitation programs. The following Illinois … Continue Reading
September 14, 2011
Durbin Unveils 2012 Financial Services, General Government Appropriations Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), today unveiled the subcommittee's appropriations package for fiscal year 2012. The bill covers $21.73 billion in discretionary spending for the nation's consumer and financial watchdogs, over two dozen agencies within the Executive Branch; the Federal Courts; District of Columbia; and independent agencies. "This … Continue Reading
September 13, 2011
Durbin Announces Nearly $1.9 Million DOJ Investment in Illinois Law Enforcement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $1,896,780 in grants to support the enhancement of two programs that provide research and technology for Illinois law enforcement. "Our nation's law enforcement officers are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As these brave men and women put themselves in harm's way, we must ensure that they are equipped with … Continue Reading
September 08, 2011
Durbin: States Making it Harder for People to Vote
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, chaired a hearing today which examined a rash of new state voting laws that threaten to suppress turnout across the country. New laws in over a dozen states significantly reduce the number of early voting days, require voters to show restrictive forms of photo identification before voting, and make it harder for volunteer organizations to register new … Continue Reading
September 08, 2011
Durbin Announces More Than $600,000 in DOJ Funding for Illinois Judiciary Programs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $652,570 in grants to support the enhancement of two Illinois programs that seek to provide representation for potentially wrongly convicted defendants and to provide better services through drug treatment courts. The following Illinois entities and programs will receive funding: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL: $202,879 in funding has … Continue Reading
September 08, 2011
Durbin Announces Over $6.2 Million Investment in Illinois Housing Agencies
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that Illinois Housing Agencies will receive $ 6,289,102 in grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grants provide funding for housing counseling along with funding for local units of government. "Improvements to public housing will enhance the quality of life for individuals who rely on this important service - including nearly 80,000 people in Illinois," said … Continue Reading
September 06, 2011
Durbin Announces More Than $5 Million in DOJ Funding to Enhance Community and Law Enforcement Safety
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $5,118,812 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to support Illinois law enforcement officers. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, named in memorial of a young police officer who was killed while on duty, is administered by The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The grants are awarded to states … Continue Reading