Durbin, Kirk, Shimkus, Johnson, Schock, Schilling Ask Air Force to Explore Flying Missions for the 183rd Fighter Wing

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today were joined by Congressmen John Shimkus (R-IL-19), Tim Johnson (R-IL-15), Aaron Schock (R-IL-18) and Bobby Schilling (R-IL-17) in sending a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley asking that a flying mission be identified for the Illinois Air National Guard's 183rd Fighter Wing in Springfield. In addition, the Illinois members asked that the 183rd be given an extension to continue firefighting capabili… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More Than $460,000 in USDA Grants for Small Business Development

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development division has awarded a total of $466,000 in Rural Business Enterprise Grant funding to local organizations in Henderson, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Marion, and Peoria counties. "Small businesses play an important role in putting rural Illinoisans back to work," said Durbin "This funding invests in the small businesses that will drive our economic recovery." Ea… Continue Reading

Durbin Introduces Legislation to Protect Taxpayer Investment

[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation on Thursday that would protect taxpayer investment in major infrastructure projects when local and state governments privatize roads, airports and other transportation facilities. The Protecting Taxpayers in Transportation Asset Transfers Act would also require increased transparency and public involvement before major transportation projects can be leased or sold. "The federal government provides states and local governm… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Congressional Responsibility in Matters of War

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the floor of the United States Senate about Congress' responsibility in matters of war, currently our involvement in Libya. Throughout his tenure in Congress, regardless of who was in the White House, Durbin has consistently argued that Congress should have a voice in determining when the United States sends its sons and daughters into armed conflict. "I think the President is right in what he is doing in Libya," said Durbin… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Nearly $21 Million in DOT Funding for O'Hare Noise Mitigation

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $20,900,000 in funding to Ridgewood High School District 234 for measures aimed at mitigating noise from O'Hare International Airport. Today's grant follows a Federal Aviation Administration review of a 2009 decision stating that the Ridgewood High School did not qualify for sound insulation. "Today's funding will help create a better learning environment for our… Continue Reading

Durbin Responds to Judiciary Committee Republicans' Request for Hearings on Balanced Budget Amendment

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and the other Republican members of the Judiciary Committee today, in response to their request for hearings on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Durbin, Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, raised concerns about the manner in which hearings were requested, but agreed to the request. "I was surprised to… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces a Nearly $200,000 FEMA Grant to Joliet Fire Department

[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 $197,200 in a grant for operations and safety to the Joliet Municipal Fire Department in Joliet, Illinois. "Our nation's firefighters 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 the… Continue Reading

Durbin, Local Business Owners Call for Prompt Federal Reserve Action on Swipe Fee Regulations

[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - In the wake of a Senate vote earlier this week defeating the big banks' attempt to delay new limitations on the swipe fees that small businesses pay on every debit card sale, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today called on the Federal Reserve to act quickly to issue the final rules needed in order for the law to take effect and small business owners to begin to get relief. A Durbin-authored amendment to help reduce the soaring cost of interchange or "swipe" fees was signed into … Continue Reading

Durbin Commends United Airlines for Pledging to Bring 1,300 Jobs to Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today responded to United Continental Holding's decision to bring 1,300 jobs to Chicago by the end of next year. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the decision to bring the mostly technology and operations-focused jobs to the city earlier today alongside United CEO Jeff Smisek. "Today's decision shows United's commitment to our great city and reinforces Chicago's position as a premier American transportation hub," said Durbin. "These 1… Continue Reading

Illinois / Iowa Delegation Sends Letter to the President on the Assistant Secretary at the Office for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology

[WASHINGTON, DC] - The bi-state delegation that represents the Rock Island Arsenal, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) along with Congressmen Bobby Schilling (R-IL-17), Bruce Braley (D-IA-01) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02) today sent a letter to President Barack Obama following Dr. Malcolm O'Neill's recent resignation as the U.S. Army Assistant Secretary at the Office for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, ASA (ALT). In their letter, th… Continue Reading

Durbin Chairs Hearing to Review the IRS Budget

[WASHINGTON, D.C] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired an Appropriations Subcommittee hearing today on the FY12 funding request for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS, which spent over $7 billion on enforcement of our tax laws last year, was pressed by Durbin about high profile cases of tax fraud, including reports that prisoners have received nearly $125 million in bogus tax refunds over the last five years. Durbin also raised questions about the oversight of p… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on MWRD Vote to Support Disinfecting Sewage that Enters Chicago River

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement after learning that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago voted to support the disinfection of wastewater before it enters portions of the Chicago and Calumet Rivers. "Chicago is a world-class city with an ambitious environmental agenda. But while Chicago is listed among the nation's greenest cities, the City's record when it comes to the Chicago River is disappointing. … Continue Reading

Army Secretary to Illinois / Iowa Delegation: No Proposal to Close JMTC at This Time

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The bipartisan, bi-state delegation that represents the Rock Island Arsenal today received assurances from Secretary of the Army John McHugh that the Army currently has no plans to close the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) at Rock Island Arsenal. Today's letter was sent in response to a May 26th letter sent by the delegation called for a meeting with McHugh to discuss their concerns about the cost associated with conducting such a move as well as the impact… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senators Recognize National Hunger Awareness Day

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators and Hunger Caucus Co-Chairs Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bob Casey (D-PA), Richard G. Lugar (R-IN), John Boozman (R-AR) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) today recognized National Hunger Awareness Day and called on Americans to support local efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity in the United States. "The level of hunger in our nation is at the highest level since the government began tracking food insecurity in 1995. In Illinois, 500,000 children are living in a food in… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Rock Island Arsenal with Secretary of Defense Nominee

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a meeting with President Obama's nominee to be Secretary of Defense and current Director of the CIA, Leon Panetta, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed his concerns about the possibility that an internal task force within Army could recommend closure of the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) at Rock Island Arsenal. Last week, after touring the JMTC facilities, Durbin spoke with Army Secretary John McHugh who assured him that there are no current p… Continue Reading

Durbin: Fighting Hunger Must Remain a Priority

[DECATUR, IL] - As the economy in Decatur continues to struggle, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited a local Summer Food Service Program site to discuss hunger and the rising demand for food pantry services with area food bank and food pantry representatives. "The struggling economy has put a strain on family budgets throughout Illinois," Durbin, a co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus, said. "Formerly middle-class families who have had a rough few years are increasingly turning to their … Continue Reading

America's Great Outdoors: Deputy Secretary Hayes, Senator Durbin Announce Designation of 41 New National Recreation Trails

[CHICAGO, IL] - Deputy Secretary of the Interior David J. Hayes and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced the designation of 41 trails in 17 states as National Recreation Trails, adding almost 650 miles of trails to the National Trails System. The announcement came in advance of National Trails Day on June 4, when hundreds of organized activities including hikes, educational programs, bike rides, trail rehabilitation projects, festivals, paddle trips, and trail dedications will take place nat… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Education Department's Gainful Employment Rule

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after reviewing the final version of the Gainful Employment rule on for-profit colleges that the Department of Education released earlier today. "This rule may stop the worst violators among the predatory for-profit schools but it will not protect thousands of young students who are being burdened with debt by many worthless diploma mills. If we are serious about protecting taxpayers and students, we… Continue Reading

Durbin and Kirk Announce Federal Grant to Prevent Layoffs at Waukegan Fire Department

[WAUKEGAN, IL] - The Waukegan Fire Department will be able to retain five fully trained and qualified firefighters as a result of a $1,229,990 federal grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) said today. The Waukegan Fire Department is being awarded the grant to pay the salaries and benefit costs of five additional firefighters for two years. "The firefighters here today embody public service-they are prepared and wi… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Rock Island Arsenal's Future Following Call with Army Secretary McHugh

[ROCK ISLAND, IL] - United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after speaking to the Secretary of the Army about the future of Rock Island Arsenal: "I had a positive conversation with Secretary McHugh today about the status and future of Rock Island Arsenal. Secretary McHugh said that there are no plans to close or relocate the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center. The Army is reviewing every program within the Material Command for ways to save… Continue Reading