Durbin to Wolf: End Opposition to 1,100 New Jobs in Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called for Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) to end his opposition to opening Thomson Correctional Center as a maximum-security federal prison - a move that would create more than 1,100 jobs in Northwest Illinois. Durbin's call comes just hours after Attorney General Eric Holder sent to Congress a new request to reprogram already appropriated funding within the Department of Justice that can be used to acquire and activate Thomson Correctio… Continue Reading

Durbins Bill to Crack Down on Excessive Interest Rates and Fees

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act late yesterday - a bill to eliminate the excessive rates and fees that some consumers are charged for payday loans, car title loans and other types of credit. "Within blocks of my home in Springfield, Illinois, there are payday lenders charging interest rates of two and three hundred percent of the value of the loan," Durbin said. "These excessive rates are often hidden a… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces an Over $150,000 Investment in Illinois First Responder Capabilities

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has made a $151,966 investment in three fire departments in Illinois. Today's funding will help support and improve the capability of each department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As these brave men and women… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with CSX CEO to Discuss Rail Safety

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with the CEO of CSX Railroad, Michael Ward, to discuss improving rail safety. On Sunday, Durbin asked the Association of American Railroads to conduct a comprehensive review of railroad industry plans and practices to ensure trains can move safely and efficiently throughout the country during extreme weather events. Durbin also requested that the findings of this review be made available to the public including the communities of Northbr… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $64,000 in Funding to Enhance Law Enforcement Capabilities in Joliet

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $64,162 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to support law enforcement officers in Joliet, Illinois. This funding will be used to purchase and install in-car cameras. "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 t… Continue Reading

Durbin Chairs Hearing on Citizens United Decision and the Rise of Super PACs

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired a hearing today on the Citizens United decision and the rise of Super PACs. The hearing, "Taking Back Our Democracy: Responding to Citizens United and the Rise of Super PACs" examine the proposed responses to the Citizens United, including constitutional amendments and pending legislation like the Fair Elections Now Act, a commonsense proposal that would provide qualified candidates for Congress with grants, matching funds… Continue Reading

Durbin and Kirk Application for U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Now Online

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that the application for the position of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois is now online. Prospective applicants can download the application by clicking here or here. Applications must be returned by Friday, August 31, 2012. The Screening, Recommendation and Nomination Process: A screening committee will conduct an open application process and will screen applicants … Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Illinois Corn Growers to Discuss Ongoing Drought and Agriculture Priorities

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with members of the Illinois Corn Growers yesterday to discuss current drought conditions in Illinois, as well as the Senate's recently passed bipartisan 2012 Farm Bill and other agricultural priorities. "Last weekend, I saw firsthand the impact that drought conditions and record-breaking temperatures have had on Illinois crops. Illinois' corn growers are a critical part of our state's economy, which means we must make certain that duri… Continue Reading

Durbin and Kirk Name Screening Committee for Next US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and Announce Application Process

[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced the members of their six person screening committee that will aid them in the search for the next US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. The committee will be co-chaired by the Honorable David Coar, former U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois and the Honorable Mark Filip, former Deputy Attorney General in the United States Department of Justice. The other m… Continue Reading

Durbin Invites Members of Illinois Job Training Program to Address Senators in Washington, DC

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Partners in Harper College's new Advanced Manufacturing Training Program were invited by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to speak today at a meeting of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee about their innovative job training and certification program. Developed in close partnership with regional manufacturers, Harper's program helps workers develop the skills they need to find employment in their communities and fill critical job openings at growing business… Continue Reading

Durbin Chairs Hearing on Safety and Effectiveness of Flame Retardant Chemicals

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, Dick Durbin (D-IL), chaired a hearing on the safety and effectiveness of flame retardant chemicals today, following a Chicago Tribune four-part investigative report on flame retardant chemicals and furniture flammability standards. The hearing focused on whether those chemicals and flammability standards are adequately protecting consumers and the pu… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk: FRA Takes Action to Increase Track Safety During Extreme Weather Events

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) commended the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for stepping up efforts to increase track safety during extreme weather events - like the excessive heat earlier this month that caused a Union Pacific train derailment and bridge collapse at the Northbrook-Glenview border. Earlier today, the FRA issued a safety advisory which contained guidance that would help ensure railroads and safety agencies are adequately inspect… Continue Reading

Senators Call for Plan to End Unreasonable Fees and Practices Associated with Some Campus Debit Card Programs

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) called on institutions of higher education to develop a plan to put an end to a number of unreasonable fees and practices associated with campus debit and prepaid card programs that are being increasingly pushed by financial institutions. According to a report released in June from the U.S. Publi… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $4.7 Million Federal Grant for Chicago Rockford Airport

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) has received $4,792,402 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Airport Improvement Program for runway and taxiway rehabilitation. Upgrades to the runway will allow the airport to accommodate current and additional air cargo activity. The Chicago Rockford International Airport is currently ranked one of the most active air cargo airports in the United S… Continue Reading

Durbin Asks the STB to Improve Amtrak On-Time-Performance

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After a recent report showed that the main cause of Amtrak train delays stem from freight railroad operations, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today asked the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to increase efforts to improve Amtrak on-time-performance. Under Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, the STB gained new authorities to investigate the causes of Amtrak delays and enforce on-time performance standards. "In 2011, Amtrak carried a record 30 millio… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces a $4.2 Million Investment in Flood Protection Efforts for DeKalb County

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that DeKalb County has been awarded a $4,200,610 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for flood protection efforts. "This project will protect the health, safety and welfare of DeKalb 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 shelters… Continue Reading

Durbin, Conyers: Corporations Must Put Workers and Retirees First in Bankruptcy

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI) introduced legislation today to curb abuses that deprive employees and retirees of their earnings and retirement savings when businesses collapse. The Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act would make several changes to Chapter 11 bankruptcy law, putting workers' interests near the top when companies file for bankruptcy. Senators Franken (D-MN),… Continue Reading

After For-Profit School Loses Regional Accreditation, Durbin Urges Increased Scrutiny og Ashord University

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged the Higher Learning Commission to reconsider its approval of Ashford University's request for accreditation. Earlier this week, the publicly-traded company Bridgepoint Education disclosed that the regional accreditor, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), had denied Ashford University in its bid for accreditation. WASC found that spending on student recruitment at Ashford University far outweighed the amount of mone… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk: Illinois Judicial Nomination for Northern District Receives Senate Committee Hearing

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) said that a hearing was held today in the Senate Judiciary Committee on the nomination of Thomas Durkin to fill a pending vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. His nomination is expected to receive a vote in the committee within the next few weeks. If approved, his nomination will receive a vote by the full Senate. "Tom Durkin has the ability, experience and integrity to serve with … Continue Reading

Durbin: Time for Congressmen to End Excuses and Increase Pressure on the Only Person Holding Up Sale of Thomson

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - While calling on the Obama Administration to send a new reprogramming request to Congress for the acquisition and activation of the Thomson Correctional Center, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation should stop making excuses and start increasing pressure on Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) - the only person standing in the way of the federal government's purchase of the prison. In a letter to Attorney General Eric … Continue Reading