Press Releases
Durbin Introduces Legislation to Prevent Prescription Opioid Addiction
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced comprehensive legislation to combat the volume of addictive painkillers on the market and improve prescribing practices. The Addiction Prevention and Responsible Opioid Practices Act (A-PROP Act) would curb the number of opioids flooding the market, increase accountability to ensure responsible prescribing practices, and support prevention efforts to reduce drug diversion and addiction. U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA) … Continue Reading
June 15, 2016
Durbin: For-Profit College Accreditor Should Lose Federal Recognition
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), who is working with his colleagues in the Senate on legislation to reform the college accreditation process, commended the Department of Education's staff recommendation to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity to end federal recognition of one of the nation's largest accreditor of for-profit colleges - the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). The Center for American Progress … Continue Reading
June 15, 2016
Durbin Announces More Than $1.2 Millioin in Federal Funding for Illinois First-Responders
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded $1,231,184 in grants to fire departments and municipalities throughout Illinois. "This federal funding will ensure that when fires or other emergencies occur in our communities, our nation's firefighters and first-responders have access to the best resources and the equipment necessary to help protect them as … Continue Reading
June 15, 2016
Durbin Joins Filibuster Calling for Immediate Action on Gun Violence
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) in a filibuster of the Senate to call for immediate action on legislation to stop the rising tide of gun violence. Durbin phrased his remarks in the form of a question to Murphy in accordance with Senate procedure. "There were 488 homicides in Chicago in 2015, the vast majority shootings. Chicago's 488 murders were the highest total number of any United States city last year. In New York, there were … Continue Reading
June 14, 2016
Durbin: Congress Must Heed America's Call to End Gun Violence
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke today about the urgent need for gun control legislation as a matter of national security and public safety, citing Sunday's mass shooting in Orlando and gun violence in Chicago as examples of the consequences of inaction. Durbin called on his Senate colleagues to act immediately to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons, the mentally unstable, and individuals with ties to terrorism. He also strongly criticized Republican leaders for … Continue Reading
June 14, 2016
Durbin Statement on House GOP Bill to Repeal Critical Swipe Fee Reforms
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding a House Republican bill that would repeal the Durbin amendment to the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010: "Repealing the Durbin Amendment would be a windfall for Visa, MasterCard and the nation's biggest banks, but it would diminish transparency and competition in the debit card system and harm millions of Main Street merchants and their customers. Make no mistake - Main Street will not … Continue Reading
June 14, 2016
Durbin Statement on Space Launch Agreement in Defense Authorization
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice-Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement on an agreement reached to support a responsible transition to American-made rocket engines that ensures America's ability to launch national security satellites: "This agreement is a win for America's national security and taxpayers," said Durbin. "It will provide for a responsible transition to American-made engines and guarantee America's access to … Continue Reading
June 13, 2016
Durbin: Congress Must Do More to Keep Guns Out of the Hands of Dangerous People
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor about yesterday's mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, and called on the Senate to take immediate action to close loopholes in law that allow dangerous people to purchase guns and explosives. "We don't know all the details, but we know this was an act of terror and it was an act of hate, and it was directed at the LGBT community. I want to begin by expressing my condolences to the victims, their families and loved ones, … Continue Reading
June 13, 2016
Durbin Announces More Than $4.8 Million for Small Airports in Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $4,852,151 in federal funding for upgrades to small airports in Illinois. The grants were awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration and will help improve safety and efficiency at DuPage Airport, Greater Kankakee Airport, and Lewis University Airport. Senator Durbin has worked to increase funding for critical transportation and infrastructure grant programs that benefit Illinois. … Continue Reading
June 13, 2016
Durbin Announces $2 Million to Protect Cook County Families from Lead Hazards
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development will award Cook County $2 million to identify and address lead-based paint hazards in low-income homes with children. Today's funding will allow the Cook County Department of Health to control hazards in 132 housing units, protecting families from dangerous lead exposure. Prolonged exposure to lead can cause irreversible and long-term developmental delays and health and behavior … Continue Reading
June 12, 2016
Durbin Statement on Mass Shooting in Orlando
SPRINGFIELD-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida early this morning: "This morning's mass shooting was the worst in American history. 50 people were massacred and dozens more injured when a heavily armed man opened fire on innocent people. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with the victims and their loved ones, and I stand in solidarity with the LGBT community in Orlando and across America. These mass shootings … Continue Reading
June 10, 2016
Durbin, Senators Urge TSA to Implement Measures to Protect Rail and Transit Passengers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and twelve other Senate Democrats in calling on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to take immediate action to implement security recommendations mandated in the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. In a letter to TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger, the senators expressed concern over the safety of our nation's rail and transit systems in the wake of the Brussels terrorist attacks in March. They also emphasized … Continue Reading
June 10, 2016
Durbin, Emanuel Announce More Than $56.5 Million in DOT Grants for Chicago Airports
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded more than $56.5 million dollars in grants for runway construction and improvement projects at Chicago airports. Under this announcement, O'Hare International Airport will receive Department of Transportation grants totaling $45 million dollars to pay for runway construction, taxi lighting, and signage. Midway International Airport will receive … Continue Reading
June 10, 2016
Durbin Announces New Bill to Combat Opioid Epidemic
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today unveiled new legislation to combat the volume of addictive painkillers on the market and improve prescribing practices as the heroin and prescription opioid epidemic continues to rock communities across Illinois and the country. The Addiction Prevention and Responsible Opioid Practices Act (A-PROP Act), which Durbin will formally introduce in the Senate next week, would curb the number of opioids flooding the market, increase accountability to … Continue Reading
June 09, 2016
Durbin Calls on Mastercard to Explain Penalty Fee That Hurts Competition
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) called on MasterCard to explain a fee it has created to penalize certain banks and credit unions that issue their cards. On Tuesday, Durbin called on Visa to defend a similar penalty fee. A day later, it was reported that Visa intended to cancel the fee. Similar to Visa's fee, this MasterCard fee would impose a significant penalty on card issuers that conduct transactions with MasterCard's competitors. "This raises troubling questions about the fee's … Continue Reading
June 09, 2016
Durbin: Senate Committee Approves Study of One-Size-Fits-All Cancer Medication that Costs Patients & Taxpayers Billions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, approved a comprehensive study of one-size-fits-all drug vial sizes by the Institutes of Medicine in coordination with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service. The study was approved as part of the FY2017 Labor Health and Human … Continue Reading
June 08, 2016
Durbin, Leahy Lead Call for Halt to Immigration Raids Targeting Central American Women and Children
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) today led 24 Senate Democrats calling for an end to deportation raids targeting families and unaccompanied minors who have fled the rampant violence in Central America's Northern Triangle. In a letter to President Obama, the senators also urged the Administration to designate Guatemala and re-designate El Salvador and Honduras for temporary protected status (TPS), allowing individuals from those countries to legally remain … Continue Reading
June 08, 2016
Durbin, Senators to State Dept and Pentagon: Protect U.S. Service Members, Civilians Living Abroad from Zika Virus
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined 21 Senate Democrats in urging the Departments of State and Defense to continue taking measures to protect American servicemembers, civilians, and their families serving and living abroad from the growing threat of Zika. In a letter to Secretaries John Kerry and Ashton Carter, the senators expressed concern over a recent Pentagon report revealing that as of May 20th, 11 servicemembers, 4 dependents, and 2 retirees had contracted the virus … Continue Reading
June 08, 2016
Durbin Statement on Announcement that Visa Will Cancel Anti-Competitive Fee
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin released the following statement after Visa announced that they will cancel a new fee that imposes a significant penalty on credit and debit card issuers-often small banks and credit unions-that see their business shift from Visa to competing card networks. On Tuesday, Durbin called on Visa to defend the new fee. Senator Durbin's staff had initially alerted Visa to the Senator's concerns about the fee in a May 17 meeting with Visa representatives. On … Continue Reading
June 08, 2016
Durbin Hosts Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Bipartisan Senators
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today convened a meeting of bipartisan senators, including Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tom Udall (D-NM), and Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Luis Almagro to discuss a number of issues in Latin America, including the need for a political resolution to deteriorating events in Venezuela, the ongoing electoral impasse in Haiti, and the critical work of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. "I've been … Continue Reading