Durbin, Leahy, and Feingold Introduce Legislation Making Crimes Against Humanity a Violation of US Law

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader and Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law, Dick Durbin (D-IL), introduced the Crimes Against Humanity Act today - legislation that would make it a violation of U.S. law to commit a crime against humanity. This legislation is needed to ensure that perpetrators of the worst human rights violations do not find safe haven in our country. "The United States led the first prosecutions for crimes against humanity in … Continue Reading

Durbin, Akaka, Bean: Lovell Health Center One Step Closer to Completion

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) was joined today by the Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Daniel Akaka (D-HI) in introducing legislation needed to complete the James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center. The legislation - which Durbin has asked the Senate Armed Services Committee to consider for inclusion in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act later this week - gives authority to the Navy and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly operate th… Continue Reading

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Boost Program That Helps Law Enforcement Quickly Find Missing Persons

WASHINGTON - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Mel Martinez (R-FL), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and 10 other Senators in introducing legislation (S. 1301) that would make a federal investment in an effective program that assists law enforcement efforts to locating missing persons quickly. They are seeking $5 million per year for six years for the non-profit organization A Chi… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $46 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Metra Repairs

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Metra a $46,603,124 grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Today's funding will be used for bridge rehabilitation and reconstruction specifically on the Electric District and the Union Pacific North Line. The funding will also be used for the replacement of fiber optic cable on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe commuter rail line. "Today's funding … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $1.3 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Eaton Water District in Annapolis

[WASHINGTON, D.C] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a $1,375,000 loan with funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Eaton Water District in Annapolis, Illinois. Today's funding announcement is part of a nationwide announcement of $125 million in funding for water and environmental projects that will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems for … Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Travel Promotion Bill That Will Support Illinois Tourism

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 on the floor of the United States Senate. The legislation will promote tourism to the U.S. while streamlining the process visitors go through to enter the county. More than that, the bill advances Chicago's interest in being awarded the 2016 Olympic Games by setting up stronger entities to promote internationally the benefits of visiting America. "In Illinois, tourism add… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Plans for Financial Regulatory Reform

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Obama Administration announced a plan for comprehensive financial regulatory reform: "For the past two years, we have been dealing with the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. The current crisis has many causes, but perhaps the most significant, was the breakdown of our financial regulatory system which left consumers and our markets unprotected." "It's… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $2.7 Million in DOT Funding for Illinois Airports

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $2,738,572 in grants to two Illinois airports. "Today's grants will allow the airports in Rockford and Marion to make needed improvements and upgrades to help them serve travelers more safely and efficiently," said Durbin. The following airports will receive funding under today's announcement: • Chicago / Rockford International Airport, Rockford: $1,680… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $90.9 Million in FEMA Funding for Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded $90,983,282 in preparedness grants to Illinois. Today's funding is part of a nationwide announcement of $1.8 billion in grants designed to help states, urban areas, tribal governments and non-profit agencies improve their readiness by enhancing protection, prevention, response and recovery capabilities for all disaster… Continue Reading

Durbin and Illinois Delegation Members: FutureGen Alliance Board Approves Agreement

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the FutureGen Alliance Board of Directors for overwhelmingly approving the agreement that was recently negotiated between the Department of Energy (DOE) and members of the FutureGen Alliance. "For nearly a year and a half, the people of Illinois have endured delays, reversals and disagreements over costs and funding of FutureGen. Today, patience and perseverance pay off - FutureGen at Mattoon is finally … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Senate passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 - a bill which restricts the marketing and sale of tobacco products to children; requires tobacco companies to disclose the ingredients in their products; gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) power to regulate tobacco products; and requires larger, stronger health warnings on tobacco products.… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $127 Million in CDBG Funding for Disaster Recovery in Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be releasing $127,270,128 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for disaster recovery in Illinois. This is the remaining CDBG funding for relief efforts following the flooding along the Mississippi River in June 2008 bringing the total amount of CDBG funding for disaster recovery to $186.5 million for Illinois. "Nearly a year has… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $1 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $1,000,000 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District. Today's funding will be used for the purchase and installation of a safety and security system at transit district's facilities and bus stop locations. Cameras with motion detectors will be installed at the Illinois Terminal, maintenan… Continue Reading

Durbin Moves to Bring Down Credit Card Costs

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation to allow large and small businesses to negotiate directly with credit card companies to reduce the interchange fees that are charged on every credit card transaction. "Higher interchange fees mean higher costs for retailers and consumers," said Durbin. "Every time you make a purchase with plastic, the bank that issued your credit card gets a cut of the sale amount. American businesses and consu… Continue Reading

Durbin Chairs Hearing on Treasury Department's Budget

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired a hearing today reviewing the FY10 budget request for the Department of the Treasury. The President's FY10 budget request for the Treasury Department for programs under the jurisdiction of the subcommittee is $13.36 billion - over 90 percent ($12.13 billion) of which is designated for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax administration. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Com… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Passes Resolution in Support of Chicago 2016

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the United States Senate passed a resolution supporting Olympic Day on June 23, 2009 and encouraging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to select Chicago, Illinois as the host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. "It has been over 100 years since a Midwestern city has hosted the Olympics and the return of the Games is long overdue," said Durbin. "Organizers of Chicago's bid to host the 2… Continue Reading

Durbin Urges More Transparency into General Motors Restructuring Process

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the CEO of General Motors, Fritz Henderson, to bring more openness and transparency into the company's restructuring process while in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As dealerships throughout Illinois are notified that GM does not intend to renew their contract, many owners are left frustrated and confused. "A vibrant automotive sector is crucial to the future of our manufacturing base in Illinois and throughout the… Continue Reading

Durbin Introduces Bill to Aid Reforestation Efforts in Haiti

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation today to aid reforestation efforts in Haiti. Once covered by thick tropical forest, Haiti is now 98 percent deforested. That deforestation has caused widespread soil erosion; the destruction of natural barriers from hurricanes; and contributes to widespread and abject poverty. The Haiti Reforestation Act seeks to end the rapid and near total deforestation of the island-nation and restore Haiti's n… Continue Reading

Durbin, Quinn, Daley Call on Midwest Governors to Increase Efforts to Secure High Speed Rail Funding

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn joined Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in calling on seven Midwestern Governors to increase their efforts and regional coordination on high speed rail through a regional Rail Summit held in Chicago - the Midwest rail system's hub - this summer. Today's announcement followed a meeting between Durbin and Quinn where they also discussed moving forward with Illinois's bid for the $8 billion availa… Continue Reading

Durbin, Quigley Commend EPA for Swift Action to End BP Violations

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL) today spoke with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson regarding yesterday's decision by the Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 to cite BP for alleged Clean Air Act violations at its Whiting refinery. "For years, I have worked with members of the Illinois Delegation to shed a light on the companies like BP that have operated without concern for the protection of one of our nation's … Continue Reading