Press Releases
Durbin Meets with Champaign County Officials to Discuss Local Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with leaders from Champaign County First who were in Washington, D.C. for their annual fly-in to discuss local economic development and transportation priorities, including job-creating high speed rail and road construction projects. A photo from today's meeting is available here. Attendees at today's meeting included: Champaign Mayor Don Gerard, Champaign County Board President Alan Kurtz, Champaign Councilman Tom Bruno, … Continue Reading
May 06, 2013
Durbin: Majority of Senate Stood Up for Main Street Businesses Today
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today celebrate the Senate's overwhelming approval of a bill he co-authored to level the playing for Main Street businesses by allowing local brick-and-mortar retailers to compete more effectively against out-of-state internet sellers. The bill must now be considered by the House of Representatives where a bipartisan group of 66 Representatives have already signed on as cosponsors of the legislation. "I am proud to have joined … Continue Reading
May 06, 2013
Durbin, Maloney Re-Introduce Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act today, which will allow employees to take unpaid leave to care for a same-sex spouse or partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, grandchild or grandparent. "Regardless of the make-up of one's family, all employees should be given the same rights to care for a sick loved one in a time of need," Durbin said. "For 20 … Continue Reading
May 03, 2013
Durbin, Kirk, Schneider Visit Great Lakes Naval Station LEARN Charter School
[NORTH CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Great Lakes Naval Station with Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) to discuss the future of the station with Base Commander CAPT Randy Lynch and other leaders. Earlier this year Durbin was named the chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the military and intelligence community, the nation's security requirements and the daily needs of over two … Continue Reading
May 02, 2013
Durbin: Court Ruling Will Clear the Air for Amtrak and Metra Passengers at Union Station
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded U.S. Federal Court Judge Harry Leinenweber's approval of a Consent Decree that requires the owner of the former main Chicago Post Office, International Property Developers (IPD), to operate all the exhaust fans "seven (7) days a week, twenty-four (24) hours a day" to provide ventilation for the tracks at Union Station in Chicago. The Consent Decree also allows regular inspections by Amtrak, which owns the station through its Chicago … Continue Reading
May 02, 2013
Durbin Statement on President Obama's Nomination of Penny Pritzker as Commerce Secretary
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after President Obama nominated Penny Pritzker as his next Commerce Secretary: "In the world of business Penny Pritzker has broken through the glass ceiling with her extraordinary intelligence and business acumen. I believe Penny will bring a new perspective to a Department that is charged with leading America forward in business growth and job creation. I look forward to supporting her nomination and … Continue Reading
May 01, 2013
Durbin, Enyart to Students and Parents: Beware Dramatic Differences Between Student Loan Options
[GRANITE CITY, IL.] - College-bound high school seniors who must decide today which school they will attend in the fall should take care to exhaust every federal financial aid option available to them before turning to private student loans, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today while meeting with students and their parents at Granite City High School. Noting that two-thirds of student loan borrowers were not aware of the difference between federal students loans and risky, … Continue Reading
May 01, 2013
Durbin and Bustos Announce a More Than $23,000 Investment in Peoria First-Responder Capabilities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has made a $23,600 investment in the Peoria Fire Department in Peoria, Illinois for fire prevention and safety. Today's funding will help support and improve the capability of the department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "Our nation's firefighters are called … Continue Reading
May 01, 2013
Durbin and Kelly Announce a More Than $123,000 Investment in Lansing First-Responder Capabilities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has made a $123,287 investment in the Lansing Fire Department in Lansing, Illinois. Today's funding will help support and improve the capability of the department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "Our nation's first-responders are called upon day after day to … Continue Reading
May 01, 2013
Durbin and Schneider Announce a More Than $54,000 Investment in Zion First-Responder Capabilities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has made a $54,450 investment in the Zion Fire and Rescue Department in Zion, Illinois for fire prevention and safety. Today's funding will help support and improve the capability of the department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. Last month, Durbin and Schneider … Continue Reading
May 01, 2013
Durbin Announces a More Than $322,000 Investment in Illinois First-Responder Capabilities
[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 $322,233 in grants to fire departments and municipalities throughout Illinois. Today's funding will help support and improve the capability of the department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. … Continue Reading
April 30, 2013
Durbin: White House Nominates Three to Fill Federal Judicial Vacancies in Central & Southern Districts
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that President Obama will nominate Sara Ellis and Andrea Wood to fill two current vacancies on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. President Obama also announced his intent to nominate Colin Bruce to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Central District of Illinois that will open up on June 30th. "All three of the President's nominees are excellent candidates for federal judgeships … Continue Reading
April 26, 2013
Senators Durbin, Lautenberg, Harkin, and Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Stop Tobacco Smuggling, Close Tobacco Tax Loopholes, and Increase Federal Tobacco Taxes
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced the "Tobacco Tax and Enforcement Reform Act," legislation that would reduce illegal tobacco trafficking, eliminate tax disparities between different tobacco products, and increase the federal excise tax rate on tobacco products. The legislation lays out a comprehensive set of reforms that would help the federal government and states collect … Continue Reading
April 25, 2013
Durbin: Stricter Requirements, Harsher Penalties & More Transparency Needed in S.S. Badger Deal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In comments filed with the Department of Justice, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the consent decree formally lodged by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last month should specify larger reductions of coal ash discharges - a 40% reduction in 2013 and a 60 % reduction in 2014 - and include stricter penalties if the S.S. Badger does not meet those requirements. Durbin also called for an explicit agreement that no more extensions will be granted to … Continue Reading
April 16, 2013
Senators Call on FDA to Restrict the Sale, Distribution, and Marketing of E-Cigarettes
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Calling e-cigarettes a possible pathway to traditional cigarettes and other tobacco products, five U.S. Senators today called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue "deeming regulations" asserting regulatory authority over tobacco products, such as electronic cigarettes, and to restrict the sale, distribution and marketing of e-cigarettes and other nicotine products to children and young adults. Though the number of U.S. adults who have tried e-cigarettes has … Continue Reading
April 16, 2013
Durbin Reflects on Tragedy in Boston on the Senate Floor
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the United States Senate Floor today regarding the tragic events that occurred yesterday during the Boston Marathon. "Our nation is saddened by what happened yesterday in Boston," Durbin said. "It is a moment of grave concern across America, expressed well by the President last night. We wait for information and details to build a case for those who are responsible. I don't want to rush to judgment until we have the facts, but … Continue Reading
April 15, 2013
Durbin Announces Bipartisan Screening Committee to Consider Applications for Federal Judiciary in the Southern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced the formation of a bipartisan screening committee to assist in selecting Federal District Court Judges for the Southern District of Illinois. It has been announced that a judicial vacancy will open up in the Southern District in December, and the immediate task of the screening committee is to review applications and make recommendations to Durbin for filling current and future vacancies. The screening committee will be … Continue Reading
April 12, 2013
Durbin Meets with Urban Prep Students to Discuss Overcoming Influence of Gangs, Gun Violence
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Urban Prep Academy's West campus to meet with students and hear how they overcame difficult circumstances while growing up in some of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods. The students shared stories of how, despite growing up in high-crime communities, they have opted to avoid street violence and instead enroll at Urban Prep, a high-performing network of charter schools in the city. "Guns and gangs can be an enticing draw for young men … Continue Reading
April 11, 2013
Durbin, Boozman, and Coons Introduce Bill to Increase U.S. Exports to Africa
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Boozman (R-AR) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced legislation today that will help create American jobs by dramatically increasing the number of U.S. exports to Africa. The bill also aims to improve America's competiveness throughout the continent by forcing better coordination between U.S. government agencies and departments, establishing comprehensive strategic goals, and marshaling private investments to improve U.S.-Africa business … Continue Reading
April 10, 2013
Durbin, Markey, Blumenthal: Energy Drinks Report Shows Labeling, Marketingf, Ingredients Create Questionable Concoction for Consumers
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Three Democratic lawmakers today released a report entitled, What's all the Buzz about?, that shows inconsistencies in the labeling and classification of energy drinks, extensive marketing to adolescents and young adults through social media and events, and high caffeine levels that exceed the level considered safe in soda by the Food and Drug Administration. The report was compiled using responses from fourteen energy drink companies received by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) and … Continue Reading