Press Releases
Durbin Urges Eligible Veterans to Apply for Caregiver Benefits
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - The families of America's most seriously wounded warriors who have taken on the enormous task of caring for their loved ones can now apply through the Department of Veterans Affairs' Family Caregiver Program for assistance, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today. The Family Caregiver Program provides technical, financial and practical support to family caregivers of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans seriously injured in the line of duty. Earlier this month, the Department … Continue Reading
May 27, 2011
Illinois / Iowa Delegation Seeks Substantive Answers from Army on Arsenal
[WASHINGTON, DC] - In a letter sent today by the bi-state delegation that represents the Rock Island Arsenal, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Congressman Bobby Schilling (R-IL-17), Bruce Braley (D-IA-01), and Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02) pushed for substantive answers to questions surrounding the future of the Rock Island Arsenal from General Ann Dunwoody, Commanding General of the Army Materiel Command (AMC). Following the letter the … Continue Reading
May 27, 2011
Durbin Meets with Evanston Mayor
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) discussed community health centers and other local issues with Evanston Mayor, Elizabeth Tisdahl. Mayor Tisdahl was in Washington, D.C. along with Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz, and Erie Family Health Center CEO, Dr. Lee Francis. Photos from today's meeting can be seen on the Senator's website. Related Links Photo of the meeting can be found … Continue Reading
May 27, 2011
Durbin Urges Quick Action After CPSC Recalls Hazardous Pool Drain Covers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged families and pool operators to be aware of a recent voluntary recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) of pool and spa drain covers. According to the CPSC, the drain covers from eight different manufacturers were incorrectly rated to handle the flow of water through the cover, which could pose a hazard to swimmers and bathers. "As thousands of local pools across the country get ready to open for Memorial Day … Continue Reading
May 26, 2011
Illinois & Iowa Delegations Call for Meeting with Army Secretary to Discuss Reports of Possible JMTC Closure at Rock Island Arsenal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After learning that an internal task force at the Army Materiel Command (AMC) is considering relocating Rock Island Arsenal's Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC), a bipartisan group of lawmakers from both the Illinois and Iowa Congressional Delegations called for a meeting with the Secretary of the Army, John McHugh, as soon as possible to discuss their concerns about the cost associated with conducting such a move as well as the impact it would have on the … Continue Reading
May 26, 2011
Durbin, Cohen and Others Introduce Legislation to Restore Fairness in Student Lending
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Al Franken (D-MN) today joined U.S. Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN), Danny Davis (D-IL), George Miller (D-CA) and John Conyers (D-MI) to introduce legislation in both the Senate and the House that will restore fairness in student lending by treating privately issued student loans in bankruptcy the same as other types of private debt. Before changes were made to the bankruptcy code in 2005, only government … Continue Reading
May 25, 2011
Durbin: Illinois Among Finalists in Innovative Race to the Top Education Reform Competition
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Education has named Illinois among nine finalists for a continuation of its Race to the Top competition. The Race to the Top Fund provides competitive grants to encourage and reward states like Illinois that are creating the conditions for education innovation and reform. In 2010, Illinois was a finalist in both rounds of competition, but did not win a grant. "Maintaining the … Continue Reading
May 25, 2011
Durbin Chairs Hearing on Funding for Programs that Aid Small Businesses and Distressed Communities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired an Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the FY12 budgets of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) Fund today, where he highlighted the important work these agencies do to improve our economy and our communities. "In the face of recent pressure to reduce the federal deficit, I've made it a priority to maintain investments in SBA and CDFI … Continue Reading
May 24, 2011
Durbin Meets with Former Lithuanian President Landsbergis
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Vytautas Landsbergis, the first president of Lithuania and current member of the European Parliament. Landsbergis was joined by a number of senior Lithuanian officials. Today's meeting follows the EU's Monday announcement that revealed toughened sanctions against Lithuania's neighbor county, Belarus. The new sanctions extended asset freezes and travel restrictions to thirteen additional Belarusian … Continue Reading
May 24, 2011
Durbin, Kirk and Delegation Call on President to Provide Federal Relief for Southern Illinois Counties
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) were joined by the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation today in sending a letter to President Obama asking him to issue a major disaster declaration for the State of Illinois and to provide relief to the 14 Southern Illinois counties affected by a series of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in April and May. A Presidential disaster declaration would allow cities and counties to apply for federal reimbursements … Continue Reading
May 24, 2011
Durbin Announces FEMA Grant for Flood Protection Efforts in Gurnee
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the City of Gurnee has been awarded a $2,428,463 grant for from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for flood protection efforts in Gurnee, Illinois. The funding will be used to purchase and remove the old Gurnee Elementary School which has been damaged beyond repair by repeated flooding. The property will be returned to green space, allowing flooding from the Des Plaines River to occur without damage to … Continue Reading
May 24, 2011
Durbin Welcomes AIPAC President as Special Guest to Joint Session of Congress with Israeli PM
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today welcomed the President of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Chicago native Lee Rosenberg, as his guest to an address by the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, to a joint session of Congress. Durbin, the Assistant Senate Majority Leader, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a member of the council that oversees the U.S Holocaust Memorial Museum, met with Rosenberg prior to the … Continue Reading
May 22, 2011
Durbin, Kirk, Quigley Tour Chicago River in Wake of EPA Decision Calling for Improved Water Quality Standards
[CHICAGO, IL] - More stringent water quality standards are needed on the Chicago River to create a safer and healthier waterway for generations to come, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said following a boat tour today. Durbin was joined on the tour by U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region V Administrator Susan Hedman."Discharging sewage that has not been disinfected into the Chicago River … Continue Reading
May 19, 2011
Durbin, Kirk: FERC Decision on Quincy Appeal Extremely Disappointing
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today expressed disappointment in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decision to deny Quincy's appeal and stop the city from moving forward with the hydroelectric power plant at Lock and Dam 21. "The decision in February to halt the City of Quincy's work the on a hydroelectric power plant came as a shock. Though the City had been in regular contact with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Quincy … Continue Reading
May 19, 2011
Durbin Introduces Bill to Aid Reforestation Efforts in Haiti
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) has introduced legislation to aid reforestation efforts in Haiti. Once covered by thick tropical forest, Haiti is now 98 percent deforested. That deforestation has caused widespread soil erosion; the destruction of natural barriers from hurricanes; and contributes to widespread and abject poverty. The Haiti Reforestation Act seeks to end the rapid and near total deforestation of the island-nation and restore Haiti's … Continue Reading
May 18, 2011
Remarks in Support for the Nomination of Goodwin Liu
I rise in support of the nomination of Professor Goodwin Liu to serve on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Professor Liu has been nominated to fill a seat that has been vacant since January 2009. This vacancy has been declared a judicial emergency by the non-partisan Administrative Office of the United States Courts. So no one questions that this seat needs to be filled. Professor Liu is eminently qualified And no one can seriously question Professor … Continue Reading
May 18, 2011
Durbin Announces a More Than $9,000 FEMA Grant to Monmouth 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 $9,500 in a grant for fire prevention to the Monmouth Fire Department. The Monmouth Fire Department has two stations and protects 10,000 Illinoisans. "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, … Continue Reading
May 18, 2011
Durbin Announces Over $5 Million in Department of Labor Grants for Illinois Youth
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded five grants totaling in $5,499,644 to YouthBuild organizations throughout Illinois. YouthBuild assists out-of-school youth in obtaining their diplomas or GEDs while providing occupational training in the construction industry. Participants in the program include individuals who have been in the juvenile justice system, youth aging out of foster care, high school dropouts … Continue Reading
May 18, 2011
Durbin Asks State of Illinois to Comply with EPA Decision on Water Quality Standards for Chicago River
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After a briefing from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Lisa Jackson, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today asked the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to strengthen its water quality standards for the Chicago and Calumet Rivers as soon as possible. Yesterday, American Rivers - a national environmental group - named the Chicago River among the ten most endangered rivers in the country. The group estimates that sewage comprises … Continue Reading
May 18, 2011
Durbin Raises Concerns with FDA About Melatonin in Baked Goods
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today raised concerns with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about baked goods containing neurohormone melatonin that, because they are marketed as dietary supplements, do not require approval by the FDA for use as additives in food. Durbin asked the FDA to clarify its authority to regulate foods that contain additives, such as baked good that contain high doses of melatonin. "Products with names such as Lazy Cakes, Kush Cakes, and … Continue Reading