Press Releases
Durbin Meets With Rock Falls Mayor Bill Wescott To Discuss Regional Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Rock Falls, Illinois Mayor Bill Wescott who was Washington, D.C. to discuss 2015 regional priorities including infrastructure initiatives. A photo from today's meeting is available here. "Mayor Wescott proudly serves the City of Rock Falls, Illinois and it was great to meet with him today," said Durbin. "I look forward to continuing our work together this year by finding ways to improve the community and the local economy … Continue Reading
March 10, 2015
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Marketplace Fairness Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A bipartisan group of Senators today introduced a bill that would allow local brick-and-mortar retailers to compete on a level playing field with out-of-state sellers. The Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015 would give states the option to require out-of-state businesses, such as those selling online or through catalogs, to collect and use taxes already owed under State law the same way local businesses do. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) along with Assistant Senate … Continue Reading
March 10, 2015
Durbin Introduces Bill To Help American Workers, Families Avoid Asbestos Exposure
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With asbestos-related diseases still claiming as many as 10,000 American lives every year, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation today that will help Americans avoid exposure to the potentially deadly substance by increasing the amount of information available to the public about where it is found. Asbestos is a carcinogenic substance that increases the risk of mesothelioma and other cancers in those who are exposed to it. The World Health Organization … Continue Reading
March 10, 2015
Durbin: President's Student Aid Bill Of Rights Will Better Protect Student Borrowers But Is No Substitute For Debt Relief
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), author of the Student Loan Borrower's Bill of Rights, today applauded President Obama's decision to provide additional protections to both federal and private student loan borrowers, but said that work remains to bring immediate relief to millions of struggling borrowers. Today's announcement of a Student Aid Bill of Rights will simplify how students interact with student loan servicers. It incorporates many improvements from Durbin's own … Continue Reading
March 09, 2015
Durbin Urges Senate To Confirm Loretta Lynch As Attorney General This Week
March 09, 2015
Durbin meets With Illinois Firefighters, Speaks At The International Association Of Firefighters Conference
[WASHINGTON, DC]. - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with firefighters from across Illinois today to discuss labor rights, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant programs that support local fire stations, and first-responder issues. A photo from the meeting is available here. Earlier in the day, Durbin spoke at the International Association of Firefighters 2015 legislative conference. In his speech, Durbin discussed labor issues, including his support for the National Labor … Continue Reading
March 09, 2015
Durbin Statement On Senate GOP Letter To Leaders Of Iran
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding an open letter signed by Senate Republicans to the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran: This is a cynical effort by Republican Senators to undermine sensitive international negotiations-it weakens America's hand and highlights our political divisions to the rest of the world. Understand that if these negotiations fail, a military response to Iran developing their nuclear capability … Continue Reading
March 06, 2015
Durbin Statement On Train Derailment In Western Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement on the oil train derailment near Galena, Illinois. "First and foremost - though the situation on the ground is far from over - I am extremely grateful that it appears no one has been hurt. I have spoken with federal, state and local agencies responding to the disaster and will continue to closely monitor developments. "Nationally, the rising number of fiery train derailments across the country is … Continue Reading
March 05, 2015
Durbin, Baldwin Introduce Expansion of VA Caregiver Program That Could Help Thousands More Veterans and Their Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced the introduction of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Family Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act, a bill that would open the VA Family Caregivers Program to all eligible veterans who were severely injured while serving our country. The Family Caregivers Program provides home health training, peer support, and a small financial stipend to caregivers of severely injured veterans. The caregivers also have access … Continue Reading
March 04, 2015
Durbin Meets With Chicago Transit Leaders To Discuss Upcoming Legislation Reauthorizing Critical Transportation Programs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With Congress preparing to consider a legislation to reauthorize federal surface transportation programs, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with representatives from the Chicago region's transit, light rail, and bus organizations to discuss the importance of robust federal support for mass transit and our national transportation network. Today's meeting was attended by Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Chairman Kirk Dillard and representatives from Metra, … Continue Reading
March 04, 2015
Middle Class Tax Cuts: Senate And House Democrats Introduce Bills To Put More Money In Pockets Of Working Families, Reduce Costs Of College, Child Care
Democrats to Republicans in weeks before GOP budget rollout: Tax cuts should go to the middle class, not the wealthiest Americans and biggest corporations Bill sponsors and supporters will be going to the floors of the Senate and House in the coming days to discuss bills, call on GOP to join them to increase middle class paychecks, and talk about Democrats' plans to grow the economy from the middle out, not the top down WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Durbin Meets With United We Dream To Discuss Comprehensive Immigration Reform
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with representatives from United We Dream, the largest immigrant youth organization in the country, to discuss comprehensive immigration reform, the DREAM Act, and executive action. A photo from today's meeting is available HERE. "United We Dream is a powerful voice for young immigrants nationwide," Durbin said. "Dreamers just want a chance to give back to the only country they've called home. The DACA program has been … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Durbin, Democrats: Additional Measures Needed To help Pregnant Women Get Health Care Coverage
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and 36 Democratic Senators wrote a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, encouraging her to further improve women's access to health care under the Affordable Care Act by instituting a special open enrollment period for women to enroll in health coverage when they find out they are pregnant. "We write to support your efforts to ensure that women have full access to the comprehensive, affordable … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Durbin Statement On Prime Minister Netanyahu's Address To Congress
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress: America's support for Israel has historically been bipartisan, forging the strongest of ties between our two nations. That is why I was deeply troubled by the manner in which Speaker Boehner invited the Prime Minister to address this joint session-without consultation with the White House or the Democratic leadership of the House … Continue Reading
March 02, 2015
Durbin Meets With The National Healthy Start Association
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with representatives from the National Healthy Start Association (NHSA) today who presented him with the 2015 Distinguished Healthy Start Legislator award. The award is presented annually to members of Congress who have made contributions toward improving birth outcomes. A photo from today's meeting is available HERE. "I would like to thank the National Healthy Start Association for this award," Durbin said. "NHSA does important work … Continue Reading
February 27, 2015
Durbin Announces Federal Funding For Rural Development Projects In Northern Illinois
[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 funding to two Illinois organizations - Resthave Home in Whiteside County, Illinois and the Village of Carbon Hill, Illinois - through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan Program. "This federal investment will help create local, good-paying jobs in Northern Illinois, in addition to helping protect the public health, safety and welfare of … Continue Reading
February 27, 2015
Durbin: First-Of-Its-Kind Report On Solitary Confinement Shows Need For More Improvement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the first-ever assessment of federal segregation policies, which he requested in 2013, has prompted the Bureau of Prisons to review and improve some of its standards, but there is considerably more work to be done. Durbin asked for the independent assessment of solitary confinement in federal prisons following a 2012 hearing he chaired on the human rights, fiscal and public safety consequences of solitary confinement. A copy … Continue Reading
February 26, 2015
Durbin, Bustos: Bureau of Prisons To Commit $58.7 Million in FY2015 Funding To Thomson Prison
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following a meeting with the Director of the Department of Justice's Bureau of Prisons, Charles Samuels, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced that the agency will commit a total of $58.7 million in funding to the activation of Thomson Correctional Center in Thomson, Illinois. The funding was approved by Congress in December as part of the Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2015. Of the $58.7 million in funding, … Continue Reading
February 26, 2015
Durbin Meets With Transcom Commander For Breifing On Servicemember Vehicle Transport Program
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met yesterday with Air Force General Paul Selva, Commander of U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) at Scott Air Force Base, to receive an update regarding TRANSCOM's progress resolving issues with International Auto Logistics (IAL), a contractor tasked with transporting servicemembers' private vehicles when they move stations. When IAL took over the contract for the vehicle transport program in May 2014, servicemembers and their families … Continue Reading
February 26, 2015
Durbin: GOP Bill Would Deport 600,000 Dreamers And Shut Down DACA Program
[WASHINGTON, DC] - [WASHINGTON, DC] - With just 37 hours left until funding for the Department of Homeland Security expires, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) came to the Senate Floor today to call on House Republicans to stop playing politics with the lives of young people impacted by immigration policies like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). During his speech, Durbin shared the story of Maria Ibarra-Frayre, a Dreamer from Detroit, Michigan who graduated from the University of … Continue Reading