Durbin: Senate Committee Approves over $15.05 Million in Transportation and Economic Development Funding for Illinois

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $15,050,000 in federal funding for Illinois transportation and economic development projects. ? The Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations bill for the Department of Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations includes funding for the following projects:? ? Department of Transportation & Federal Tr… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Committee Approves $4 Million in Department of Justice Funding for Illinois

[Washington, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $4,000,000 for projects in the state of Illinois in the Commerce, Justice and Science spending bill. The Fiscal Year 2011 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill includes funding for the following projects in Illinois: Department of Justice Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL), Chicago: $450,000 in funding to provide a youth-focused violence pr… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Passage of the Extension of Unemployment Insurance

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate passed an extension of unemployment insurance, providing much needed financial assistance to over 2.5 million unemployed Americans who have seen their benefits expire because of Republican obstruction: "The extension of unemployment benefits literally means bread on the table and a roof over the heads of millions of families around the country who have fallen victim to t… Continue Reading

Durbin Urges Coast Guard Commitment to Keeping Helicopter Mission in Waukegan

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged the Coast Guard to commit to keeping the Coast Guard helicopter station in Waukegan, Illinois. Last week, Durbin secured a legislative provision that will prevent the closure of the Waukegan-based Coast Guard helicopter station in the 2011 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill which was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member. "I have worked with the Senate Appropriations Homeland… Continue Reading

Durbin Demands Federal Extension of Unemployment Insurance

[CHICAGO, IL] - More than 115,000 workers in Illinois have lost their unemployment insurance benefits due to Republican opposition to legislation that would extend the benefits through November, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today. "There are now five jobless workers for every job opening in our country, and the unemployment rate in Illinois is over ten percent. Unemployment insurance is critically important not only because it keeps food on the table for millions of desperate famili… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Appropriates Committee Approves Nearly $6.3 Million for Illinois Agriculture Projects

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $6,268,000 for Illinois projects with the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Durbin is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA includes funding for the following Illinois projects and programs: • Biotechnology Research Development Center, Peo… Continue Reading

Durbin: Effort To Prevent Waukegan Helicopter Station From Closing Moves Forward In Senate

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that he secured a legislative provision that will prevent the closure of the Waukegan-based Coast Guard helicopter station in the 2011 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which Durbin is a member, earlier today. "The Coast Guard helicopters stationed in Waukegan are critical to the safety of Illinoisans who use the Great Lakes for both recreation and busine… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves More Than $58 Million for Military Construction Projects in Illinois

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, has approved $58,488,000 in federal funding for military construction projects in Illinois. The Fiscal Year 2011 Appropriations Bill for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs includes funding for the following Illinois projects: United States Army Reserve Center, Rockford: $13,200,000 in funding for acquisition of 15 acres and construction of a… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Approrpriations Committee Approves Nearly $6.3 Million for Illinois Agriculture Projects

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $6,268,000 for Illinois projects with the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Durbin is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA includes funding for the following Illinois projects and programs: Biotechnology Research Development Center (B… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Committee Approves $1 Million for Springfield Emergency Center

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $1,000,000 for upgrades to the Emergency Operations Center in Springfield. The 2011 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill includes funding for the following project: Illinois State Emergency Operations Center, Springfield: $1,000,000 in funding for computer and security systems improvements at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). This project will… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on the Passage of Sweeping Wall Street Reform Bill

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Senate passed the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: "In opposing reform, Wall Street 'lays an egg.' This landmark, bipartisan reform package will end taxpayer bailouts for Wall Street and the high-flying bank schemes that can kill our economy. It contains the strongest financial consumer protections in our nation's history and empowers consumers to m… Continue Reading

Durbin: CEQ Chair Says Coordinated Response Commander to be Named Within 30 Days

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After a meeting with the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Nancy Sutley, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Obama Administration is working to appoint a Coordinated Response Commander for Asian carp - which Durbin requested in a June 25 letter to the President - within the next 30 days. Sutley also assured Durbin that the Obama Administration views the effort to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes as a top priority. … Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Illinois Farm Bureau President to Discuss Agricultural Priorities

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Philip Nelson, president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, to discuss the importance of utilizing homegrown biofuels and extending the biodiesel and ethanol tax credits."Illinois farmers are ready, willing, and able to contribute to our energy independence and security. Decreasing our use of Mideast oil and replacing it with Midwest biofuels is good for America," said Durbin. "When we use our state's agricultural expertise to reduce… Continue Reading

Bi-Partisan Group of Lawmakers Team Up to Combat Prescription Drug Abuse

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) along with U.S. Representatives Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Bart Stupak (D-MI) and John Shimkus (R-IL) joined forces to introduce legislation in their respective chambers to reauthorize the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Drug Reporting Act (NASPER), a program critical to combating the abuse of prescription drugs. "Each year more than 20,… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More Than $1.3 Million in Grants for Illinois Museums

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded 10 Museums for America grants totaling $1,319,185 to museums in the Chicago metropolitan area and northern Illinois. These funds will help allow recipient institutions to better serve the public by supporting high-priority activities that support their mission and strategic goals."Illinois is home to many of the nation's finest museums," said Durbin. "Today's fund… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Confirms Coleman for Federal Judgeship in Northern District

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the United States Senate has unanimously confirmed Justice Sharon Coleman to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois."Sharon Coleman has devoted her entire legal career to public service," said Durbin. "Her extensive experience and reputation for fairness and impartiality will be an asset to the Northern District of Illinois. It was an honor recommending her name to President Obama … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More Than $9 Million in DOT Funding for Illinois Transportation Agencies

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $9,356,359 in grants to Illinois transportation agencies. "Today's grants will allow airports and transit agencies in Illinois make needed improvements and upgrades to help them serve travelers more safely and efficiently," said Durbin. "These important projects will also create good paying jobs throughout Illinois during the current construction season."The following… Continue Reading

Durbin: $35 Million Will Help Reduce Congestion, Expand Access and Promote Economic Development in Chicago

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) commended the Department of Transportation (DOT)'s decision to award a total of $35,650,000 in funding to Chicago transportation agencies for two transit projects that will help reduce congestion, expand access to public transportation and encourage economic development. The funding was part of a nationwide announcement of nearly $300 million in federal funding through the Obama Administration's Livability Initiative. "Many … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces A $116,000 FEMA Grant to Glenwood Fire Department

[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 $116,096 grant to the Glenwood Fire Department in Glenwood, Illinois, for hiring initiatives aimed at increasing the number of frontline firefighters."Our nation's firefighters 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 mus… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces A More Than $125,000 FEMA Grant To The Bourbonnais Fire Protection District

[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 $125,956 grant to the Bourbonnais Fire Protection District in Bourbonnais, Illinois, for operations and safety."Our nation's firefighters 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 th… Continue Reading