Durbin Statement Regarding Mayor Richard M. Daley

[CHICAGO, IL] -- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement in response to a decision by Mayor Daley to not seek re-election: "I spoke with Mayor Daley after his announcement and know this was a personal, family decision. After 21 years as Mayor and almost 40 years in public life, Rich Daley knew it was time. The job of a big city mayor is one of the hardest in America. The fact that Chicago is one of the best, most energized, most attractive places to live in our… Continue Reading

Durbin Says Illinois Must Seize Opportunities for Clean Energy Jobs

[TAYLORVILLE, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that Illinois now stands "at a crossroads" when it comes to the future of energy and the creation of good-paying jobs. He said that two projects - the Taylorville Energy Center and FutureGen 2.0 - will mean good-paying jobs, increased economic activity and provide important environmental benefits. But Durbin said federal, state and community leaders must act now before the opportunities pass us by. "Earlier today, I met with comm… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $500,000 in Funding for Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $500,000 grant to the Springfield Airport Authority. This funding will be used to acquire new snow removal equipment at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois. "Central Illinoisans depend on the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport for their air travel," said Durbin. "Today's funding will help the airport keep its runways safe year-… Continue Reading

Durbin: Congress Must Take Steps to Curb Exploitative Practices at For-Profit Colleges

[CHICAGO, IL] - The for-profit colleges that have raked in federal dollars while leaving students poorly trained and drowning in debt have flourished, in part, because of a lack of federal oversight, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today at a forum he hosted in Chicago. Durbin was joined by Michelle Zuver, a former student at Westwood College; Denise Parnell, a former student at the Illinois School of Health Careers; Chef William Reynolds, Provost, Washburne Culinary Institute, Kennedy… Continue Reading

Durbin Commends Education Department for Release of $415 Million for Illinois Education Jobs Bill

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the Department of Education for the release of $415 million in funding to save a projected 5,700 education jobs in Illinois. The funding was included in legislation - Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act - passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President earlier this month. On August 11, Durbin and Mayor Richard M. Daley announced at Robeson High School in Chicago that the $415 million in funding would be made av… Continue Reading

Durbin: Victims of Pakistan Flooding Need Our Help

[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged area businesses and members of the public to assist relief efforts for the victims of severe flooding in Pakistan following a meeting with members of Chicagoland's Pakistani-American community over the weekend. "The devastation in Pakistan is clear in the images of entire towns under water as families flee in search of higher ground," Durbin said. "The resulting humanitarian crisis threatens the lives of thousands of Pakistanis wh… Continue Reading

Durbin: Disaster Declaration for Seven Illinois Counties will Help Severe Storm Recovery

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today praised the decision by President Obama to declare seven Illinois counties - Carroll, Cook, DuPage, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago - federal disaster areas. The President's disaster declaration triggers the release of federal funds to help people and municipalities recover from severe storms, flooding, and flash flooding that occurred in late July. "Although the flood waters have receded and the storms are long gone, resid… Continue Reading

Durbin and Illinois Delegation Members Call On President to Provide Federal Relief for Seven Illinois Counties

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) were joined by members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation today in requesting that President Obama declare seven Illinois counties - Carroll, Cook, DuPage, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago - federal disaster areas. Members signing on to today's letter include Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) Representatives Melissa Bean (D-IL), Judy Biggert (R-IL), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Danny Davis (D-IL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL),… Continue Reading

Durbin Has Small Mass Removed From Stomach

[CHICAGO, IL] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today underwent surgery at the University of Chicago Medical Center to have a small gastro-intestinal stromal tumor (GIST) removed from his stomach. The tumor was not present in the lining cells of the stomach; it was completely removed and preliminary biopsy results demonstrate a favorable prognosis. According to Durbin's doctors, there was no evidence that the tumor had spread beyond the site from which it was removed. Dur… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Illinois to Receive $415 Million Through Education Jobs Bill

[CHICAGO, IL] - A projected 5,700 education jobs in Illinois will be saved as a result of legislation passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President last night, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today at Robeson High School in Chicago. The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act delivers federal assistance to state governments, many of which are facing record budget deficits for the upcoming fiscal year, in order to protect teacher and support personnel jobs in local scho… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement Regarding Coles Together Decision on FutureGen 2.0

[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - Sen Durbin today made the following statement in response to a decision by the economic development organization for Coles County, Coles Together, to decline participation in the FutureGen 2.0 program: "I am disappointed by the decision of community leaders in Mattoon and Coles County to forgo participation in the FutureGen 2.0 project, but as I said at the outset, I will abide by their decision. This week, I will ask the Department of Energy to solicit other Illinois… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Recovery Act Funding To Train Workers In Renewable Energy Field

[JOLIET, IL] - More than 100 area workers will receive green industry job training and a leg up in the job market as a result of a $380,000 Energy Training Partnership Grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today. The funding, distributed through the National Ironworkers Training Fund (NITF), will train displaced workers in the specific skills needed for wind turbine construction and maintenance. "During the past year, 3 million America… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Nearly $1.9 Million in DOT Grants for Chicago/Rockford International Airport

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded two grants totaling $1,882,715 to the Greater Rockford Airport Authority. This funding will be used for equipment and improvements at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. "Today's grants will help expand the capacity and efficiency of the Chicago/Rockford International Airport and ensure that one of the region's premiere airports can continue to serve passeng… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses $550 Million For Illinois Medicaid Program With Local Hospital Leaders

[KANKAKEE, IL] - Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact that recently passed federal assistance to state governments, including more than $550 million for Illinois' Medicaid program, will have on local hospitals. The legislation, which will extend and phase down the Federal matching rate for Medicaid (FMAP) for an additional 6 months, passed the Senate last week and will be taken up by the House on Tuesday. "As a result of the recession, Illinois is facing a budget shortfall o… Continue Reading

Durbin Tours Rock Island Neighborhood Revitalized By Stimulus Funding

[ROCK ISLAND, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and U.S. Representative Phil Hare today visited a neighborhood that has seen vacant homes turned into affordable housing as a result of more than $21 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. "The dramatic increase of foreclosures in cities and towns across America is at the heart of the economic crisis," Durbin said. "The Quad Cities competed fiercely… Continue Reading

Durbin And Hare Name Springfield Post Office After John H. Wilson, Jr.

[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) celebrated today the renaming of the United States Post Office located at 2105 East Cook Street in Springfield, Illinois after Colonel John H. Wilson, Jr., the first African-American in Illinois to achieve the rank of Colonel. Durbin and Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) authored the federal legislation naming the Springfield Post Office Building at 2105 East Cook Street in Wilson's honor. The legislation was signed into law on March 9, 2009. "… Continue Reading

Durbin Helps Break Ground at New Multimodal Transportation Center in Normal

[NORMAL, IL] - Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) celebrated the groundbreaking today for a new multimodal transportation center in Upper Normal. More than 70 percent of the project was funded with federal dollars, including more than $10.6 million Durbin secured through his position on the Senate Appropriations Committee. "With the construction of this multi-modal center, funded to completion by a $22 million grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Normal is poised to become a sho… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Confirms Wigginton as U.S. Attorney in Southern District

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate has unanimously confirmed Stephen Wigginton to serve as U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Illinois. "Throughout his years as a lawyer in Southern Illinois, Stephen Wigginton has shown integrity and independence that I am sure he will bring to the position of U.S. Attorney," said Durbin. "It was an honor recommending his name to President Obama and voting on his nomination today." Wigginton has … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement On The Confirmation of Elena Kagan as An Associate Justice on the Supreme Court

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Senate voted to confirm Elena Kagan as an Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court: "Today's confirmation of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court is an historic achievement. For the first time in our nation's history, three women are serving together on the highest court in the land." "Ms. Kagan is a remarkable lawyer who has worked in private practice, clerke… Continue Reading

Durbin, Quinn Statement on New FutureGen to Move Forward at Mattoon and Other Illinois Locations

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today responded to the Secretary of the Department of Energy, Steven Chu's announcement that the Department will be moving forward with FutureGen 2.0 in Illinois. FutureGen 2.0 a cutting edge clean coal repowering program and a carbon dioxide (CO2) storage network that can be a model for the nation. Governor Quinn and Senator Durbin released the following statement: "Three years ago, Illinois was announced … Continue Reading