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

Durbin Calls for Federal Investigation Into Monday's Deadly Tollway Crash

US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to "immediately and fully" investigate Monday's deadly tollway crash on I-88 in Aurora, Illinois. According to news reports, the driver in the crash had been on the road for more than 30 hours with little to no sleep, in violation of federal law. In a letter to FMCSA's Administrator Anne Ferro, Durbin asked the agency to determine if the driver, or his employer, DND International, violated r… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Passes Bill that Will Allow Metro East to Avoid High Flood Insurance Premiums While Upgrading Levees

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Flood Insurance legislation that passed the Senate today will allow Metro East, Illinois officials to take steps to avoid unreasonably high flood insurance premiums while the community is working to upgrade the region's levee system. The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act aims to help communities qualify for lower rates if they are in the process of constructing or reconstructing flood protection systems. Three Metro East counties - M… Continue Reading

Durbin Applauds Effort to Better Track Military and Veterans Education Benefits

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Education and Justice, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission announced the launch of a new online complaint system designed to collect feedback from veterans, service members and their families who are experiencing problems with educational institutions that receive funding from federal military and veterans educational benefits programs. … Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Illinois Servicemember Who Will Be His Guest for the State of the Union

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (HM3) Joseph Marcinkowski from Batavia, Illinois who will be his guest for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address later this evening. Durbin has invited Illinois servicemembers who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as his guests to the State of the Union since 2005 when he hosted Army Major Tammy Duckworth. HM3 Marcinkowski will also attend the Secretary of the Senate's dinner… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address

Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today following President Obama's State of the Union address: "Tonight the President gave an optimistic speech about opportunity for American families, an economy on the rise and leveled a call to action to ensure this is a year of progress for the middle class." "From programs to grow the economy and create jobs like the launching of new manufacturing institutes and infrastructure investment… Continue Reading