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

Durbin, Kirk, Delegation Support Illinois Appeal for Federal Public Assistance for Southern and Central Illinois Counties

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) were joined by the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation today sending a letter to President Obama asking him to reconsider the denial of the State of Illinois' request for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance to help nine Illinois counties recover from the deadly tornadoes that struck the state on November 17, 2013. Following the storm, Illinois received a major disaster declaration and Individua… Continue Reading

Senate Approves Kirk-Durbin Resolution to Honor and Support Global Efforts to Eradicate Polio

[WASHINGTON, DC] - The United States Senate last night unanimously approved a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) supporting the goals and ideals of World Polio Day. The resolution also commends the international community for taking steps to prevent and fully eradicate this deadly disease. World Polio Day is recognized internationally every year to mark the progress made to end polio and advocate for a polio-free world. Global eradication is imminently… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More Than $4.5 Million in Funding For Energy Efficiency Projects in Chicagoland

WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $4,592,900 in Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) funding to MicroLink Devices, based in Niles, Illinois, and Gas Technology Institute based in Des Plaines, Illinois. MicroLink Devices will receive $3,600,000 in funding and Gas Technology Institute will receive $992,900 in funding. The funding will be used to develop new solar energy converters and storage systems wh… Continue Reading

Durbin: Education Department's Rejection of New Programs at Corinthian Colleges Should Prompt Action from Accreditor

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following a disclosure by Corinthian Colleges, Inc. that the Department of Education has denied many of the company's pending new program applications and increased scrutiny in light of deceptive job placement practices, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges -8 Corinthian Colleges, Inc.'s accreditor whose Board will discuss the issue at its meeting this weekend - to take action. "In your response [to my l… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Federal Judicial Nominee in Southern District of Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which he is a member, has unanimously approved Nancy Rosenstengel for a federal judgeship on the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Illinois. Her nomination will now proceed to a vote by the full Senate. "Nancy Rosenstengel will make an exceptional judge in the Southern District. Her nomination is an historic one. Upon confirmation, Ms. Rosenstengel will be the first wo… Continue Reading

On the Eve of the Opening Ceremonies, Durbin Honors Olympic Athletes from Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With the Opening Ceremonies for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games to be held tomorrow morning, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today honored the athletes from Illinois who will be competing in Sochi, Russia. "Tomorrow, hundreds of athletes from across the world will gather in Sochi, Russia for the opening ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. It is a time when almost all the nations of the world come together in the spirit of peace and cooperation to celebrate the bes… Continue Reading

Durbin Applauds CVS Caremark Decision to Stop Tobacco Sales

[Washington, DC] U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after CVS Caremark announced that it would stop selling tobacco products - including e-cigarettes - in its stores by October 14, 2014. "Today, CVS has set out to prove what many of us already believe: that looking out for the long-term well-being of their customers isn't just good for public health, it is also good business," said Durbin. "I believe this decision will not only have a positive impact on t… Continue Reading

Durbin: New Exemptions Will Allow More Syrian Refugees to Enter U.S.

Washington, D.C. - Almost one month to the day after Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) asked the Obama administration to take steps to address the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis, the Administration announced a series of exemptions to the overly-broad "material support" bar in U.S. immigration law. These exemptions will help ensure that innocent refugees will not be barred from the United States because they provided insignificant support to armed rebel groups. "These exemptions will help address the … Continue Reading

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

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with Barbara Farley, President of Illinois College to discuss higher education issues including reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, making college textbooks more affordable, and student loan reform measures. A photo of today's meeting with President Farley is available here. Durbin also met, today, with representatives from the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities. A photo of that meeting is available… Continue Reading

Members of Congress Call for Ban of E-Cigarettes on Capitol Grounds

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - To ensure that visitors and staff are protected from the potential dangers posed by electronic cigarettes and their vapor, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and U.S. Representative Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) today called on the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Office Building Commission to include electronic cigarettes in existing prohibit… Continue Reading

Durbin: It's About Time Congress Passes a Bipartisan Farm Bill

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Illinois farmers will finally have the certainty they need to make plans for the future, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today prior to a Senate vote on the Farm Bill conference report. The legislation will save roughly $23 billion over the next 10 years compared to pre-sequestration budget levels, and reforms several titles to help producers better manage risk, makes key investments in energy and research, ensures programs are in place to help rural communities grow an… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Final Passage of Farm Bill That Will Help Illinois Farmers & Working Families

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Illinois farmers will finally have the certainty they need to make plans for the future, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today following Senate passage of the Farm Bill conference report. The legislation will save roughly $23 billion over the next 10 years compared to pre-sequestration budget levels, and reforms several titles to help producers better manage risk, makes key investments in energy and research, ensures programs are in place to help rural communities grow … Continue Reading