Press Releases
Durbin Announces a More Than $200,000 FEMA Grant to Chatham Firefighters
[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 a $235,272 grant to the Chatham Fire Protection District in Chatham, Illinois for hiring initiatives aimed at increasing the number of frontline firefighters. "Day after day, our nation's firefighters are called upon to protect communities in Illinois and around the country," Durbin said. "It's our job to ensure … Continue Reading
July 10, 2012
Durbin Announces $15,195 in DOJ Funding to Enhance Law Enforcement Capabilities in Carbondale
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $15,195 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to support law enforcement officers in Carbondale, Illinois. "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 the best tools possible to do … Continue Reading
July 10, 2012
Durbin, Kirk: After Train Derailment FRA Must Do More to Ensure All Railroads Are Equipped to Deal with Excessive Weather Events
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After excessive heat was cited as a factor in the recent Union Pacific train derailment and bridge collapse at the Northbrook-Glenview border, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today called for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to step up efforts to ensure that railroads have the proper training, inspection plans and protocol to deal with excessive weather events - like last week's extreme heat. They also urged FRA to make their investigation … Continue Reading
July 09, 2012
Federal Transportation Bill Creates Jobs While Investing in Illinois Mass Transit, Highways, Durbin Says
[CHICAGO, IL] - Approximately 68,000 Illinois jobs will be created or saved and the state's highway and mass transit systems will be improved as a result of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act signed into law last Friday, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said at a news conference at Ogilvie Transportation Center today. Durbin and U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello fought for Illinois priorities as the only members of the Congressional Delegation appointed to the conference committee … Continue Reading
July 09, 2012
Durbin: Postmaster General Should Follow Provision Included in Two Senate Bills by Proving Cost Savings Before Closing Quincy and Rockford Mail Processing Facilities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe urging him to adhere to a provision - included in the Senate Financial Services and General Government Appropriations passed last month by the Senate Appropriations Committee - that would require the Postal Service to conduct a new audit that shows cost savings before moving forward with plans to close or consolidate facilities that were recently found to be efficient. The provision, … Continue Reading
July 07, 2012
Durbin Celebrates Rock Island Arsenal's 150th Anniversary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Rock Island Arsenal, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) entered a statement into the Congressional in honor of the Arsenal's impressive history and its impact on the Rock Island community and the nation. "I thank those who serve at the Arsenal today and those who have served in the past. And also to those who have join me in honoring Rock Island Arsenal in its 150 year anniversary celebration," said Durbin. "Rock Island is … Continue Reading
July 02, 2012
Durbin, Kirk Introduce Resolution Congratulating Northwestern Women's Lacrosse Team on National Championship
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) on Friday introduced a resolution congratulating the Northwestern Wildcats on winning the 2012 NCAA Women's Lacrosse National Championship. Led by head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller and reigning national player of the year Shannon Smith, the Northwestern Wildcats defeated Syracuse University 8-6 on May 27, 2012. The Northwestern team has won seven of the last eight women's lacrosse national championships. "This year, … Continue Reading
June 29, 2012
Durbin, Costello Support Final Transportation Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today voted for H.R. 4348, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012. Durbin and Costello were the only conferees from Illinois helping to craft the final version of this legislation, which provides an increase in Illinois' share of highway and transit funding. Enacting the bill into law will remove the uncertainty that has surrounded transportation spending during short-term funding … Continue Reading
June 28, 2012
Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Decision Upholding the Affordable Care Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act: "In one of the most closely followed decisions in its history, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Obama's Affordable Care Act was clearly constitutional." "This decision means that we can move forward to address the unsustainable increase in health care costs and expand the protection of health insurance coverage to … Continue Reading
June 27, 2012
Durbin, Kirk Resolution Commending Rotary Internation for Polio Eradication Efforts Passes the U,S, Senate Unanimously
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The United States Senate last night unanimously approved a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) commending Rotary International and other organizations for their efforts to prevent and eradicate polio around the world. The resolution, S. Res. 473, encourages the international community to remain committed to the effort to fully eliminate polio worldwide. Polio was successfully eradicated from India in January, 2011, and is … Continue Reading
June 25, 2012
Durbin Statement on the Supreme Court's Decision Not to Rehear Citizens United
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Supreme Court refused to revisit the Citizens United decision: "Citizens United has created a field day for American Oligarchs to dump millions of dollars into campaigns," Durbin said. "Today the Supreme Court refused to even reconsider this disastrous decision. Congress must now enact common sense reforms that cannot be overturned by the Supreme Court, and I will chair a … Continue Reading
June 25, 2012
Durbin Statement on the Supreme Court Decision Regarding the Arizona Immigration Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Supreme Court struck down three of the four provisions of the Arizona immigration law: "I am pleased that the Supreme Court agreed with the Obama Administration that federal immigration law prevents states from enacting their own immigration enforcement scheme. "While three of the Arizona law's provisions were struck down, one of its most troubling provisions - requiring … Continue Reading
June 25, 2012
Durbin, Emanuel: City of Chicago to Receive More Than $3 Million to Hire Veterans for Law Enforcement Positions
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that seven Illinois agencies including the City of Chicago will receive a total of $5,250,000 in funding from the Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) to recruit and hire post-9/11 veterans to serve as police officers and firefighters. Today's funding is part of a nationwide announcement of $111 million in COPS grants that will be given to 220 different … Continue Reading
June 25, 2012
$20 Million Federal Investment Will Jump Start Expansion of 95th Street CTA Station, Officials Say
[CHICAGO, IL] - The CTA will be able to move forward on major upgrades to one of the busiest stations in Chicago's transit system as a result of an infusion of $20 million in critical federal funding to the 95th Street Terminal Improvement Project, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Congressman Bobby Rush, Governor Pat Quinn and Federal Transit Administration Administrator Peter Rogoff announced Monday. The intermodal project will reduce pedestrian and bus congestion, cut travel … Continue Reading
June 25, 2012
Durbin Discusses Looming Deadlines for Transportation and Student Loan Bills, Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Farm Bill
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - While calling attention to end-of-the-week-deadlines for transportation and student loan interest rate legislation, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today that this week's Senate passage of the bipartisan Farm Bill demonstrates that Congress can still take effective action in the midst of an election year. Farm Bill "The Senate's bipartisan farm bill represents a major step towards putting our agriculture policy on the right track, while also saving more than … Continue Reading
June 25, 2012
Durbin Outlines Process to Nominate Next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the search process that he and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) have agreed to follow for the selection of the next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. "Earlier today, I met with outgoing U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. I thanked him for his service and the integrity he brought to the job and discussed with him the process Senator Kirk and I have established to select his replacement," Durbin said. … Continue Reading
June 20, 2012
Senate Votes to Reduce Crop Insurance Subsidies, Save Taxpayer Dollars
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) released the following statement today after the Senate accepted Coburn-Durbin amendment #2439 by a bipartisan vote of 66-33. This amendment is a reasonable step that asks our wealthiest farmers to cover more of their risk by reducing the level of federal premium support for crop insurance participants with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) over $750,000 by 15 percentage points for all buy-up … Continue Reading
June 20, 2012
Durbin Announces Over $6 Million in HHS Funding for Illinois Community Health Centers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that 11 Illinois community health centers will receive $6,497,417 in grant funding through the New Access Point (NAP) grant program, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In Illinois, NAP grants will help expand access to care for 79,943 additional patients and will create approximately 5,640 jobs nationwide by establishing new health center service delivery sites. "Community … Continue Reading
June 20, 2012
Durbin and Corker's Water for the World Act Passes the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The Water for the World Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), passed out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday, sending the bill to the Senate floor for a vote. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Reid (D-NV), Roberts (R-KS), Cardin (D-MD), Isakson (R-GA), and Leahy (D-VT). "Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation is a right that everyone in the world ought to enjoy … Continue Reading
June 20, 2012
Durbin Announces Additional NFL Reforms Related to Bounties and Player Safety
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that he would withhold a hearing into bounty programs in the NFL and other sports leagues after meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and discussing steps the League will take, at Durbin's request, to protect player safety and football's integrity. "The NFL has taken the issue of bounties in professional football seriously and has been open and willing to take additional steps to protect player safety and … Continue Reading