Press Releases
Durbin Joins Four Other Senators in Asking for Investigation into Gasoline Price-Fixing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As the average gas price remains above $4.00 per gallon in Illinois and climbing to nearly $5.00 per gallon in some parts of the state, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined four other Senators in asking the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate potential price fixing of gasoline by U.S. refiners. Later today, the Senate will vote on a bill that would eliminate tax breaks and subsidies for big oil companies and divert the $21 billion in savings over the … Continue Reading
May 12, 2011
Durbin: EPA Decision is an Important Opportunity to Make Chicago River Accessible for Generations to Come
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require improved water quality standards for the Chicago River is an important opportunity to make this iconic waterway accessible to generations of boaters, kayakers and even swimmers. Durbin also pledged to work with MWRD, the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois to identify federal resources that can be made available to meet the EPA's new standard. … Continue Reading
May 12, 2011
Durbin, Lautenberg, Harkin Call Tobacco CEO Comments: "Reckless and Scientifically Inaccurate"
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) today set the record straight on the addictive nature of cigarettes after hearing a statement by the CEO of Philip Morris International, Louis Camilleri, claiming that while smoking cigarettes is addictive, "it is not that hard to quit." In reality, a 2010 Surgeon General's report indicates that in recent years tobacco companies have altered cigarettes to make them more addictive. "As the … Continue Reading
May 12, 2011
Durbin and Hinchey Introduce Bill to Protect America's Red Rock Wilderness
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In an effort to preserve 9.1 million acres of Utah's spectacular red rock country as wilderness, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today introduced legislation in the Senate and House that would ensure the public land remains in its natural, undeveloped state. Durbin and Hinchey's bipartisan America's Red Rock Wilderness Act, which was introduced with 66 cosponsors in the House and three in the Senate, would protect the land from … Continue Reading
May 12, 2011
Durbin: Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Rock Island Resident's Nomination for Federal Judgeship in the Central District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which he is a member, has unanimously approved Sara Darrow for a federal judgeship on the U.S. District Court in the Central District of Illinois. Her nomination will now proceed to a vote by the full Senate."Ms. Darrow has an impressive record of service in the Rock Island area, prosecuting some of the most challenging cases, said Durbin. "Having served with distinction as a state … Continue Reading
May 11, 2011
Durbin Urges Sears to Remain in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) urged Sears Holding Corp. to remain at its headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Illinois and offered assistance as Sears' evaluation process moves forward. Citing the company's long history with Illinois and the 6,000 people employed at its headquarters, Durbin encouraged the President and CEO of Sears, Louis D'Ambrosio, to look for ways to continue to grow that partnership."Sears has had a long history with Illinois beginning with Sears and … Continue Reading
May 11, 2011
Durbin, Reid, Menendez, 30 Others Introduce the DREAM Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and 30 other Senators introduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act today - a narrowly tailored bill to give undocumented students a chance to earn legal status if they came here as children, are long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character, and complete two years of college or military service in good … Continue Reading
May 09, 2011
Durbin: Senate Bill Aims to End Joyride for Big Oil Companies as Gas Prices Hover Near Record Highs in Chicago
[CHICAGO, IL] Unless legislation to end their "joyride" is passed, the five largest oil companies, which recorded more than $30 billion in profits during the first three months of this year alone, will continue to receive $4 billion per year in tax breaks from the federal government, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today outside a gas station in Chicago. A bill eliminating the subsidies for big oil companies and diverting the savings to offset the deficit will be introduced this … Continue Reading
May 09, 2011
Durbin, Kirk, Quinn Announce $268 Million for High Speed Rail Cars in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) were joined by Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn in announcing that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $268 million in high speed rail funding to Illinois for the purchase of 48 new passenger rail cars and 7 locomotives that will be equipped to travel at high speeds. Today's funding comes from the $2 billion that was rejected by the governor of Florida earlier this year. It is in addition to the … Continue Reading
May 06, 2011
Durbin and Manzullo Statement Following Rockford Courthouse Walk-Through
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today released the following statement after the completion of a walk-through of the Rockford Courthouse that was led by representatives from the General Services Administration and the Court. Manzullo participated in today's tour along with representatives from Durbin's office. "The new Rozkowski Courthouse is a beautiful building. Over a hundred local workers did a wonderful job constructing a state … Continue Reading
May 04, 2011
Durbin Expansion of VA Caregiver Program Could Help Thousands More Family Members
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded the decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand the number of caregivers that are eligible for the Family Caregiver Program which provides technical, financial and practical support to family caregivers of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans seriously injured in the line of duty. The decision significantly improves an earlier, more restrictive draft and expands the eligibility the pool of eligible veterans from … Continue Reading
May 04, 2011
Durbin and Manzullo Express Concern Over Delay of Rockford Courthouse Opening in Meeting with GSA Administrator
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today met with the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA), Martha Johnson, to express their concerns over reports that the opening of the Roszkowski Courthouse in Rockford, Illinois will be delayed until mid-September due to the need to address poor workmanship. Durbin and Manzullo urged Johnson to do everything possible to safely expedite the process while ensuring the highest quality … Continue Reading
May 04, 2011
Durbin, Kirk, Quinn Announce $186 Million for Chicago to St. Louis High Speed Rail
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) joined Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn in announcing that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $186 million in high speed rail funding to finance track and other improvements on the Chicago to St. Louis corridor between Dwight and Joliet. Earlier today, the Department of Transportation notified Congressional Appropriators that they have reprogrammed $400 million of the $2 billion in funding that was … Continue Reading
May 04, 2011
Durbin Writes China's Largest Search Engine About Web Censorship, Possible Facebook Deal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) has written to Baidu, China's largest search engine, about its censorship of the internet. Durbin, who recently returned from a week-long trip to China, asked the company to take immediate steps to protect human rights, including freedom of expression and privacy."I appreciate that Baidu has given millions of Chinese citizens the ability to access information. At the same time, your company has a moral obligation to … Continue Reading
May 04, 2011
Durbin Holds Budget Hearing on SEC and CFTC
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today chaired a hearing which reviewed the funding requests of the nation's primary financial market regulators - the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro and CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler were witnesses before Durbin's Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee. "With our markets on the rebound, record high gas … Continue Reading
May 03, 2011
Durbin Statement on Southern Illinois Flood Control Efforts
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after being briefed by federal and state officials on the impact of yesterday's decision by Major General Michael Walsh of the Army Corps of Engineers to intentionally breach the levee at Birds Point in order relieve pressure to levees downstream and potentially save Cairo, Illinois - a town of roughly 3,000 people - from devastating floods. "While breaching the levee at Birds Point has relieved … Continue Reading
May 02, 2011
Durbin Statement on Army Corps Decision to Intentionally Breach Levee in Order to Save Cairo, Illinois from Devastating Floods
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after Major General Michael Walsh of the Army Corps of Engineers announced that they will intentionally breach a levee in order relieve pressure to levees downstream and potentially save Cairo, Illinois - a town of roughly 3,000 people - from devastating floods. "I talked with General Walsh several times over the weekend and made clear that I would stand by whatever decision he made. I know he is … Continue Reading
May 01, 2011
Durbin Statement on the Killing of Osama bin Laden
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement tonight after President Obama announced that Osama bin Laden has been killed. "I was advised by Vice President Biden this Sunday evening that Osama bin Laden has been killed. Though this is not the end of the threat of terrorism, it is a clear warning to our enemies that when they threaten and kill Americans, they will be pursued and held accountable. Our nation owes a great debt of … Continue Reading
April 28, 2011
Opening Statement at For-Profit College Forum
Good morning. I am pleased to convene this forum to examine the role of the for-profit college industry in educating students in Illinois and to discuss the additional federal oversight needed to end abusive practices and improve student outcomes.I am pleased to be joined by my colleague from the House, Congressman Danny Davis. Thank you all for being here.As a beneficiary of federal investment in higher education, I have always voted to support Pell grants and federal student loans.We must … Continue Reading
April 28, 2011
Durbin Responds to American Bankers Association on Interchange... Again
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) has responded to yet another letter from the American Bankers Association reiterating their opposition to any and all reforms of the interchange system. Durbin's letter to the ABA today seeks to "cut to the chase" regarding the motivations behind the ABA's criticisms of the interchange reform law that Congress enacted last year. "You say in your letter that your members are concerned about the Federal Reserve's draft … Continue Reading