Press Releases
Durbin Statement on New Swipe Fee Reforms Taking Effect
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today regarding new regulations which finally bring fairness, transparency and competition to the debit swipe fee system: "Today, swipe fee reforms take effect and will finally help bring fairness, transparency and competition to a debit card system that for years has operated without them." "These rules will give small businesses some relief from the unreasonably high fees that the Visa and … Continue Reading
September 29, 2011
Durbin Meets with Community Stakeholders to Discuss Economic Impact of Amtrak Service to Western Illinois
[QUINCY, IL] - Rail service throughout Illinois - including the route between Chicago and Quincy - is at serious risk of being eliminated if the transportation spending bill proposed by House Republicans becomes law, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today. The funding bill for the 2012 fiscal year released last week by the House Transportation Appropriation Subcommittee prohibits Amtrak from helping states pay for state-sponsored routes, which will effectively eliminate all … Continue Reading
September 29, 2011
Durbin: $1.2 Million SBA Investment Will Help Illinois Small Businesses
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has recently awarded a $1,265,477 grant to help small businesses in Illinois. Today's funding was awarded as a part of the State Trade and Export Promotion Program (STEP) which is designed to help increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and also to raise the value of exports for small businesses that are already exporting. "Small businesses are the … Continue Reading
September 29, 2011
Durbin Statement on Bank of America Fee Announcement
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after Bank of America announced it would begin charging debit card users a monthly fee for the use of their cards: "It seems that old habits die hard for Bank of America. After years of raking in excess profits off an unfair and anti-competitive interchange system, Bank of America is trying to find new ways to pad their profits by sticking it to its customers. It's overt, unfair and I hope their … Continue Reading
September 26, 2011
Durbin Urges Passage of Bill that would Modernize Schools and Prevent Teacher Layoffs
[MORTON GROVE, IL] - With schools across Illinois struggling to upgrade their facilities and prevent teacher layoffs, passage of legislation to invest in school modernization and help keep teachers is critically important, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said this morning after meeting with administrators and teachers at Golf Middle School in Morton Grove. At Golf Middle School, Durbin met with the district superintendent, principals of the middle and elementary schools and the president … Continue Reading
September 24, 2011
Durbin Applauds Faith Leaders for Holding DREAM Sabbath
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) commended religious leaders from a broad variety of faith traditions today for celebrating the DREAM Sabbath - an initiative enlisting churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples around the country to dedicate time during their regular weekly worship service to a conversation about the DREAM Act. The nationwide event began this weekend, and will continue into the fall. The DREAM Sabbath was created to build on the broad grassroots support for … Continue Reading
September 22, 2011
Durbin Commends Announcement of a Nearly $1.8 Million Federal Grant Award to Support Development of Aerospace Industry in Rockford
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the Obama Administration's announcement $1,769,987 in federal funding for a project - designed by seven Rockford Area groups - that aims to strengthen the local aerospace industry. The Rockford project is one of 20 winning projects awarded a total of $38 million in funding today through President Obama's Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge which awarded funds to support a wide range of economic and workforce … Continue Reading
September 21, 2011
Durbin-Lautenberg-Feinstein-Landrieu Amendment Restores $100 Million in Funding for High Speed Rail
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has accepted their amendment on a bi-partisan basis to restore $100 million in funding for High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail grants. As rail travel continues to grow in popularity as an alternative to other forms of transportation, this investment will create jobs by putting unemployed construction … Continue Reading
September 21, 2011
Durbin Announces Over $4.8 Million DOJ Investment to Enhance the Justice System in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $4,850,881 in grants to support the establishment or enhancement of several justice system programs in Illinois. These programs provide support and services to a number of Illinois communities through research and education initiatives, family or adult drug treatment courts, and juvenile delinquent rehabilitation programs. The following Illinois … Continue Reading
September 20, 2011
Durbin, Kirk Ask Metra to Justify Fare Increases, Consulting Fees
[CHICAGO, IL] - United States Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today sent a letter to Alex Clifford, Executive Director and CEO of Metra, asking him to offer an explanation of costs incurred by the agency, and justify the proposed 30% fare increase. Metra currently has a six-month, $225,000 contract with George Avery Grimes, a consultant brought on to increase agency efficiencies and reduce costs. Grimes' contract is under review for a six-month extension. In their letter, … Continue Reading
September 20, 2011
Durbin Announced Nearly $2 Million Investment in Illinois Communities to Create Jobs and Boost Development
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that five Illinois communities - Chicago, Champaign, Macomb, Rock Island and Rockford - have received Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants to create jobs and boost economic development in the region. EDA is an agency within the U.S. Commerce Department and supports the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. Its mission is to lead the federal economic development … Continue Reading
September 20, 2011
Durbin Meets with Secretary of Transportation and FAA Administrator
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Randy Babbitt to discuss Illinois transportation priorities including the O'Hare Modernization Program and FAA Reauthorization. "Transportation is the key to creating and keeping jobs in the Midwest and Secretary LaHood understands that," said Durbin. "He also understands how important the O'Hare Modernization … Continue Reading
September 19, 2011
Durbin Statement on the Passing of U.S. Senator Charles Percy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today on the passing of former U.S. Senator Charles Percy (R-IL): "Chuck Percy was a political opponent in the Douglas and Simon campaigns but always a friend. That statement reflects a better moment in American politics and a man who was always viewed as honorable and honest in his representation of our state. "As a college student I was with Sen. Douglas in East St. Louis when he learned of the … Continue Reading
September 15, 2011
Durbin Provision Would Help Protect Jobs at Quincy Mail Processing Facility; Ensure Community Involvement in Postal Service Study
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that, in his role as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), he has inserted language in the committee's annual appropriations bill that would help protect jobs at the Processing and Distribution Annex in Quincy, Illinois and ensure community involvement in the study regarding consolidation and closure of the facility. The legislation was approved by the Senate … Continue Reading
September 15, 2011
Durbin, Kirk, Manzullo Concerned About New Postal Consolidation Study; Plan to Ask for Meeting with Postmaster General
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today plan to ask for a meeting with the U.S. Postmaster General to discuss the Postal Service's plan to conduct a study examining the possibility of moving operations performed at the Rockford Processing and Distribution Facility to an out-of-state facility in Madison, Wisconsin. This study is the second the Postal Service has conducted on the Rockford facility - which has … Continue Reading
September 14, 2011
Durbin Unveils 2012 Financial Services, General Government Appropriations Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), today unveiled the subcommittee's appropriations package for fiscal year 2012. The bill covers $21.73 billion in discretionary spending for the nation's consumer and financial watchdogs, over two dozen agencies within the Executive Branch; the Federal Courts; District of Columbia; and independent agencies. "This … Continue Reading
September 13, 2011
Durbin: Severe Weather Has Hit Illinois From Chicago to Cairo, State Needs Relief Funding Without Delay
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on members of Congress to support a supplemental appropriations bill for the Disaster Relief Fund as requested by President Obama. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin described the need for federal aid in a year that has seen a blizzard and two severe floods affect communities throughout Illinois as well as record breaking hurricanes and wildfires in other parts of the country. The disaster relief fund gives families and … Continue Reading
September 13, 2011
The Situation in Syria
Mr. President, the world has witnessed considerable upheaval across the Middle East this year as citizens from all walks of life have turned out by the millions to say enough to repressive regimes, stagnant political systems, and a lack of economic opportunities. In fact, we should probably look back to the summer of 2009 when thousands upon thousands of ordinary Iranians bravely took to the streets to peacefully protest the country's likely stolen election. These Iranian citizens were … Continue Reading
September 13, 2011
Durbin Announces Nearly $1.9 Million DOJ Investment in Illinois Law Enforcement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $1,896,780 in grants to support the enhancement of two programs that provide research and technology for Illinois law enforcement. "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 that they are equipped with … Continue Reading
September 13, 2011
Durbin Says Code of Conduct Shows Willingness of For-profit College Industry to Improve Transparency; Encourages Further Action
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after many for-profit colleges announced that they have signed on to a voluntary agreement called, "Standards of Responsible Conduct and Transparency". "For-profit colleges signing on to a voluntary code of conduct shows that some in the industry are willing to take a first step towards establishing standards of transparency and accountability. More needs to be done and those schools which resist even … Continue Reading