Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure in the 111th Congress
Durbin Announces $350,000 in DOT Funding for O'Hare Noise Mitigation
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $350,000 in funding to the Board of Education of the City of Chicago District 299 for noise mitigation measures at Farnsworth Elementary School near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. This grant will fund sound proofing efforts - including acoustic window unit, ceiling, vestibule and doorway installment, mechanical and electrical system revision and existing soundproofing related … Continue Reading
September 14, 2009
Durbin Announces $2.5 Million in DOT Funding for Springfield Airport
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded a $2,516,560 grant to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois. The grant will provide funding for a project to widen a taxiway. "Widening of this taxiway will put Illinoisans to work immediately on a project that will contribute to the long term ability of the Springfield Airport to serve travelers safely and efficiently," said … Continue Reading
August 27, 2009
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces $2 Million in Recovery Act Grant
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the cities of Centralia and Wamac, Ill., to help make roadway updates to improve access to Centralia Industrial Park #1. The project, made possible because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is expected to create additional jobs and private investment in the region. "Improvements to the Centralia industrial park will enhance the … Continue Reading
August 06, 2009
Durbin Launches Bipartisan Midwest High Speed Rail Caucus
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that formation of a bipartisan, bicameral Midwest Congressional High Speed Rail Caucus to advance the Midwest's plan for high speed rail. The Caucus will also provide an avenue to keep members of Congress and staff educated and engaged on the Midwest's effort by hosting briefings on relevant issues such as reviving the domestic rolling stock manufacturing industry and expanding Amtrak service to new cities … Continue Reading
July 30, 2009
Durbin: Senate Committee Approves Over $27 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 $27,004,744 in federal funding for Illinois transportation and economic development projects. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 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 Transit … Continue Reading
July 29, 2009
Durbin Discusses Importance of Air Service in Downstate Communities at Senate Confirmation Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discuss the importance of air service in rural communities while introducing Susan Kurland of Chicago, Illinois to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee which was holding a hearing on her nomination by President Obama to be Assistant Secretary of Aviation and International Affairs. Durbin has introduced three Presidential nominees to this committee: Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood; … Continue Reading
July 27, 2009
Durbin Announces More Than $6 Million in FEMA Grants for Chicago Transit
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made $6,539,988 in grants available for Chicago area transit security. "The funding announced today will help increase passenger safety along Chicago area transit lines that provide nearly two million rides each week day," said Durbin. "As more and more people are choosing to leave their cars at home for their daily commute, we must ensure that public transit is not … Continue Reading
July 16, 2009
Durbin Announces One-Year Extension for Firefighters at 183rd
[WASHINGTON, DC] - The F-16 maintenance mission and the National Guard firefighter unit at Springfield's Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport has been granted a one-year extension through September 2010, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today. The Director of the Air National Guard, General Harry Wyatt informed Durbin of the temporary extension of the 183rd Fighter Wing's F-16 maintenance mission which will keep open the option to find a permanent flying mission at … Continue Reading
July 15, 2009
Durbin, Costello: DOT Will Maintain Air Service in Marion, Quincy, Decatur
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will require Great Lakes Airlines to provide air service in Marion, Quincy and Decatur with no interruption until a new carrier is found. In letters sent to Durbin and Costello, the DOT announced that it has already begun the process of soliciting proposals from air carriers interested in providing service in the downstate … Continue Reading
July 09, 2009
Durbin, Costello Urge DOT to Begin Search for New Air Carrier in Quincy, Decatur, and Marion
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Jerry Costello (D-IL) today asked the Department of Transportation to begin soliciting proposals from air carriers interested in providing service in the communities of Quincy, Decatur and Marion. In a letter to the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, the Illinois members expressed disappointment with Great Lakes Airlines - the current service provider's - inability to fulfill their original … Continue Reading
July 08, 2009
Durbin Unveils 2010 Financial Services and 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, today unveiled the subcommittee's appropriations package for fiscal year 2010. The bill covers $46.4 billion in overall spending for a number of agencies within the Executive Branch; the Federal Courts; District of Columbia; and independent agencies including the nation's financial services regulators. "White-collar … Continue Reading
July 07, 2009
Durbin Announces $675,000 in DOT Funding for Springfield Airport
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded a $675,379 grant to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois. The grant will provide funding for the following five projects at the airport: • Rehabilitation of the terminal building lighting. The existing lighting is past its useful life and inefficient. The new lighting will be more efficient and reliable; • Acquisition … Continue Reading
July 02, 2009
Durbin: FAA Should Follow Recommendations to Mitigate Air Traffic Controller Fatigue
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement the recommendations found in a Department of Transportation, Inspector General Report on air traffic controller fatigue released earlier today. Citing a December 2007 GAO Report which pointed to controller fatigue as a key issue affecting runway safety at the nation's busiest airports, Durbin requested this investigation into conditions at three Chicago air … Continue Reading
June 25, 2009
Durbin Announces $94 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Metra Repairs
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Metra a $94,222,481 grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. "The Recovery Act funding announced today will create good paying jobs in Illinois and increase the appeal of public transit as an affordable, reliable, environmentally friendly alternative to car travel," said Durbin. Last week, Metra was awarded a $46.6 million grant for bridge … Continue Reading
June 19, 2009
Durbin Announces $46 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Metra Repairs
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Metra a $46,603,124 grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Today's funding will be used for bridge rehabilitation and reconstruction specifically on the Electric District and the Union Pacific North Line. The funding will also be used for the replacement of fiber optic cable on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe commuter rail line. "Today's … Continue Reading
June 17, 2009
Durbin Announces $2.7 Million in DOT Funding for Illinois Airports
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $2,738,572 in grants to two Illinois airports. "Today's grants will allow the airports in Rockford and Marion to make needed improvements and upgrades to help them serve travelers more safely and efficiently," said Durbin. The following airports will receive funding under today's announcement: • Chicago / Rockford International Airport, Rockford: … Continue Reading
June 10, 2009
Durbin Announces $1 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $1,000,000 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District. Today's funding will be used for the purchase and installation of a safety and security system at transit district's facilities and bus stop locations. Cameras with motion detectors will be installed at the Illinois Terminal, … Continue Reading
June 03, 2009
Durbin, Quinn, Daley Call on Midwest Governors to Increase Efforts to Secure High Speed Rail Funding
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn joined Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in calling on seven Midwestern Governors to increase their efforts and regional coordination on high speed rail through a regional Rail Summit held in Chicago - the Midwest rail system's hub - this summer. Today's announcement followed a meeting between Durbin and Quinn where they also discussed moving forward with Illinois's bid for the $8 billion … Continue Reading
June 02, 2009
Durbin Announces Nearly $16 Million in DOT Funding for Illinois Airports
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $15,978,467 in grants to five Illinois airports. "Today's grants will allow airports 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 airports will … Continue Reading
May 20, 2009
Durbin Meets with Northern Illinois Officials to Discuss Passenger Rail to Rockford
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with several communities leaders from Winnebago, Stephenson and Boone Counties to discuss the proposed Chicago-Rockford-Dubuque Amtrak route as part of the group's annual trip to Washington. Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) attended today's meeting which included the following officials: Mayor of Rockford, Larry Morrissey; Mayor of Freeport, George Gaulrapp; and Mayor of Belvidere, Fred Brereton. "The officials … Continue Reading