Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief With Illinois Mayors
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke by phone with Illinois mayors from cities on the coast of the Mississippi River about the Heroes Act and its provisions to support local governments in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic's economic impact. With Illinois expecting to lose more than $10 billion in revenue by next summer, Durbin spoke about the $1 trillion in fiscal relief funding for states and localities that the Heroes Act would provide to replace lost revenues. The Rep… Continue Reading
07.27.20
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $700,000 For Housing Programs In Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that three housing authorities across Illinois will receive a total of $696,023 in federal funding to support public housing needs in the community. This funding comes through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Emergency Safety and Security Grant (ESSG) program. "This federal investment will give local housing agencies in Cairo, Danville, and Belleville the ability to improve publi… Continue Reading
06.24.20
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $4 Million For Southern Illinois Mass Transit Districts
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that two mass transit districts in Southern Illinois will receive more than $4 million in federal funding to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding, awarded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and appropriated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act¸ will go to Rides Mass Transit District (RMTD) and Jackson County Mass Transit District (JCMTD). "This fundi… Continue Reading
06.01.20
Durbin And Davis Introduce Legislation To Increase Broadband Service
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-IL-7) visited the Illinois Medical District Office to discuss their new legislation to improve access to broadband service and address internet access disparities, which impact education, health care, and livelihoods. "Our lives have shifted drastically amid the global coronavirus pandemic. It is clear just how essential the role of internet access has become in our country. Access to the internet allows patients … Continue Reading
05.29.20
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Announce Nearly $3 Million For Rock Island Mass Transit
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today announced $2.9 million in grant funding for the Rock Island Co. Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLINK). The funding, awarded by the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Low or No Emission (Low-No) Bus Program, will be used to purchase new low-emission transit buses. "The funding announced today will not only create a better experience for the thousands of peopl… Continue Reading
05.27.20
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $12 Million For Metra Improvements
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Metra will receive $12,482,600 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for rail improvements. The funding will support the modernization of three interlockings on the Milwaukee North Line in Illinois, which will help lead to improved reliability and fewer delays for Metra and Amtrak commuters. "For many Illinoisans, Metra and Amtrak are the only affordable and accessible trans… Continue Reading
05.19.20
Durbin Joins Bipartisan Letter Outlining Priorities To Support First Responders In The Next COVID-19 Relief Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), and nine of his colleagues on a bipartisan letter to Senate Leadership encouraging additional support for first responders in the next COVID-19 relief package. "During a time of crisis, communities rely on local first responders as the first line of defense for protection and emergency response," the Senators wrote. "As Congress considers further legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandem… Continue Reading
05.18.20
Durbin Statement On Nomination Of Normal Mayor Chris Koos To Serve On Amtrak Board Of Directors
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after President Donald Trump nominated Normal, Illinois, Mayor Chris Koos to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors: "I recommended Mayor Koos for this important position, and I'm glad the President nominated him today. Mayor Koos understands the importance of passenger rail to communities in Illinois and across the country. He will be an important voice for Illinois and the Midwest in support of growing and pr… Continue Reading
03.11.20
Durbin Meets With Illinois Public Transportation Officials
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois public transportation officials from the Chicago Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Metra, and PACE to discuss transportation priorities in Illinois. The group discussed Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation and the importance of providing federal funding to improve surface transportation. "Investing in Illinois' public transportation infrastructure helps create jobs and improves the safety and efficiency of travel… Continue Reading
03.09.20
Durbin Meets With Association Of Illinois Firefighters
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Association of Illinois Firefighters to discuss legislation to support fire departments, firefighters, and paramedics in Illinois. Durbin discussed his support for the Assistance for Firefighters grant program and SAFER grant program that provide critical resources, training, and equipment to fire departments across Illinois. Before his meeting with members of the Illinois Association of Firefighters, Durbin spoke to th… Continue Reading
03.06.20
Durbin, Colleagues Introduce Bill To Restore Amtrak Riders' Legal Rights & Protections
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives Conor Lamb (D-PA-17) and Denny Heck (D-WA-10), introduced legislation to restore legal rights and protections to Amtrak riders who are currently prevented from seeking justice in the courts and joining together to seek accountability for their claims. Amtrak implemented its forced arbitration and class action ban policy last January, specifically writing it to be "as broad as leg… Continue Reading
03.05.20
Durbin, Duckworth Host Chicago Infrastructure Meeting
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Chuy Garcia (D-IL04), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), and Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), today met with Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner Jamie Rhee, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) Commissioner Gia Biagi, and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) President Dorval Carter to discuss infrastructure priorities in Chicago. The group discussed funding to help addres… Continue Reading
03.05.20
Durbin Meets With Bloomington-Normal One Voice
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of Bloomington-Normal One Voice, who represent local government, labor, education, and business. Durbin discussed transportation priorities, including the recently announced $13 million federal BUILD grant for a new underpass in Normal. Durbin also discussed rural broadband and the new Rivian vehicle manufacturing plant in Normal. Amazon plans to purchase 100,000 electric delivery vans from Rivian by 2030. "It was great to s… Continue Reading
03.05.20
Durbin Meets With Chicago Army Corps Commander To Discuss Shoreline Protection
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Colonel Aaron Reisinger, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, to discuss funding to help address the impacts of climate change on the Chicago lakeshore. The Trump Administration did not fund the Great Lakes Resiliency Study or a reevaluation of the Chicago Shoreline Project in their Fiscal Year 2020 Corps Work Plan and Fiscal Year 2021 Budget request. In the meeting, Durbin urged the Corps to push the Trump Admin… Continue Reading
03.04.20
Durbin Meets With Rock Island Army Corps Commander To Discuss Quincy Bay
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Colonel Steven Sattinger, Commander and District Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, to discuss funding to restore Quincy Bay, one of the largest natural bays of the Upper Mississippi River. Durbin also discussed funding for the much needed modernization of seven locks along the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. "The environmental need for the restoration of Quincy Bay is obvious," said Durbin. "F… Continue Reading
03.02.20
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $13 Million For Pullman Junction Rail Improvements
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Cook County has been awarded $12.9 million in federal funding for the CREATE (Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency) Program's Pullman Junction project on Chicago's South Side. Today's investment, awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program, will support improvements to increase the effi… Continue Reading
02.21.20
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Announce More Than $2.6 Million For Chicago Rockford International Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today announced $2,699,192 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) grant funding to reconstruct a deicing containment facility at Chicago Rockford International Airport in Rockford. "Federal investments have helped improve operations at Chicago Rockford International Airport, and today's funding will ensure the deicing facility can be upgraded. I look forward to continuin… Continue Reading
02.19.20
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $11 Million For Housing And Homeless Assistance In Central Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Central Illinois communities will receive a total of $11,601,766 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for affordable housing and homelessness programs. "These federal programs are critically important to addressing homelessness and housing insecurity throughout Central Illinois," Durbin said. "I will continue fighting alongside Senator Duckworth for federal … Continue Reading
02.19.20
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $5 Million For Housing And Homeless Assistance In Rockford And Quad Cities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Northwest Illinois communities will receive a total of $5,255,185 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for affordable housing and homelessness programs. "These federal programs are critically important to addressing homelessness and housing insecurity throughout Rockford and the Quad Cities," Durbin said. "I will continue fighting alongside Senator Duckworth… Continue Reading
02.19.20
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $170 Million For Housing And Homeless Assistance In Chicagoland Area
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Chicagoland communities will receive a total of $170 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for affordable housing and homelessness programs. "These federal programs are critically important to addressing homelessness and housing insecurity throughout the Chicagoland area," Durbin said. "I will continue fighting alongside Senator Duckworth for federal … Continue Reading