Durbin, Duckworth Announce $750,000 For Drug-Free Communities Programs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $750,000 in federal funding for Illinois communities through the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s (ONDCP) Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Program. This funding will be used by communities to achieve and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use, tackling issues ranging from tobacco prevention to opioid misuse. “It is our duty to ensure that every American has the opportun… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Department of Education’s Move to Approve Borrower Defense Claims for Former Ashford University Students

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement applauding the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement that the Department has approved more than 2,300 borrower defense claims filed by former Ashford University students, totaling $72 million in relief. Of the 2,300 claims discharged, 120 belonged to Illinois student borrowers, amounting to more than $3.6 million in relief. “After years of calling on the Department of Education to swiftly dischar… Continue Reading

ICYMI: “Credit Card Companies Urged by Senators to Cancel Plan to Raise Swipe Fees”

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, Bloomberg highlighted calls from U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) for Visa and Mastercard to withdraw their reported plans to raise credit card fees. Durbin and Marshall are lead sponsors of the Credit Card Competition Act, which would enhance competition and choice in the credit card network market which is currently dominated by the Visa-Mastercard duopoly. Building… Continue Reading

Durbin, Cassidy, Bipartisan Colleagues Call for Fair Democratic Primaries in Venezuela Ahead of 2024 Presidential Elections

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing concerns about ongoing efforts to undermine the pre-electoral and primary processes leading up to critical presidential elections scheduled in that country in 2024.  “The Venezuelan people cannot afford to see another fraudulent election, whic… Continue Reading

Durbin, Cassidy, Bipartisan Colleagues Call for Fair Democratic Primaries in Venezuela Ahead of 2024 Presidential Elections

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing concerns about ongoing efforts to undermine the pre-electoral and primary processes leading up to critical presidential elections scheduled in that country in 2024.  “The Venezuelan people cannot afford to see another fraudulent election, whic… Continue Reading

Durbin, Marshall Statement on Reports VISA & Mastercard Plan to Increase Swipe Fees on American Families and Businesses

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), lead sponsors of the Credit Card Competition Act, today released the following statement regardingreports that Visa and Mastercard plan to raise their interchange fee rates in October and April: “We strongly urge Visa and Mastercard to withdraw their plan to raise credit card fees on small business owners and hard-working American families. “Accordin… Continue Reading

Durbin, Marshall Statement on Reports Visa & Mastercard Plan to Increase Swipe Fees on American Families and Businesses

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), lead sponsors of the Credit Card Competition Act, today released the following statement regarding reports that Visa and Mastercard plan to raise their interchange fee rates in October and April: “We strongly urge Visa and Mastercard to withdraw their plan to raise credit card fees on small business owners and hard-working American families. “Accordi… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $6.2 Million to Help Close the Digital Divide in Schools and Libraries

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $6,279,820 for Illinois schools and libraries through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund. “Education is the cornerstone of our nation’s progress and prosperity, but fortoo long, we’ve allowed the digital divide to cast a shadow over the promise of equal opportunity,” said Durbin. “All students, whether they live in rural communities, urban neighbo… Continue Reading

Durbin Celebrates Lurie Children's Hospital's Mobile Health Unit Grand Opening

CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in Lurie Children’s Hospital’s ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate their new Mobile Health Unit, which Durbin secured $600,000 for in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This Mobile Health Unit will deliver physicals, immunizations, well-child visits, asthma care, and other services at community sites, health centers, and Chicago Public Schools. “Lurie Children’s is such a beacon forhope and healing, and a trusted … Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $650,000 to Support EMS Agencies in Rural Communities

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $653,923 in federal funding through Durbin’s Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act to support EMS agencies in rural communities. The funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which was created through Durbin’s SIREN Act, goes toward supporting EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and pu… Continue Reading

Durbin, Pritzker, Congressional Leaders, Immigration Coalition Urge President biden to Expand Work Authorizations

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined a press conference hosted by American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) Action to urge President Biden to use his existing legal authority to expand work authorizations and help address the labor shortage crisis. “I’m grateful to stand with felloww Members of Congress, business leaders, and immigrant community leaders to push for immigration reform today.  Like Illinois, many states are f… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Lead Illinois Delegation in Urging President Biden to Grant Federal Disaster Declaration for Central Illinois Following Severe Summer Weather

SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today led every member of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to President Biden urging the White House to grant Governor J.B. Pritzker’s request forfederal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Illinois, to help 27 Central Illinois counties recover from storm damage.  From late June to early July, severe… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth, Sorensen Statement on Permanent Conversion of Thomson Prison to Low-Security Facility

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) today released the following statement regarding the decision by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to permanently convert United States Penitentiary (USP) Thomson into a low-security prison while ensuring that all current Thomson employees will be retained: “We welcome today’s announcement by BOP Director Peters t… Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Rural Health Workforce Development at Southern Illinois Healthcare

CARBONDALE – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in a roundtable discussion with leaders from Southern Illinois Healthcare, Shawnee Health, the nursing program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and the Egyptian Health Department to discuss his “Roadmap to Grow Illinois’ Rural Health Workforce”. This partnership organized by Durbin with hospitals, community health centers, medical and nursing schools, community colleges, dentists, physicians, and nurses will coordinate ef… Continue Reading

Durbin, Blumenthal Request Information on FDA's Proposed Changes to the Office of Dietary Supplement Programs

SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highlighting concerns about their proposed changes to the Office of Dietary Supplement Programs (ODSP) following the June 27, 2023, announcement that FDA plans to reorganize the Human Foods Program (HEP) and the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA).  In the letter, the Senators request FDA responds to their questions by September 8, 202… Continue Reading

ICYMI: "Phenomenal Women are Improving the Federal Bench. We're Pushing for More."

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights highlighted the remarkable progress by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, President Biden, and Senate Democrats to nominate and confirm highly qualified, diverse women to the federal bench. The piece was published leading up to Women’s Equality Day, which will be celebrated on Saturday, August 26 to commemorate the 1920 adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment … Continue Reading

Durbin Visits Museum of Science and Industry To Tour 'The Blue Paradox' Exhibit Focused on Plastic Pollution

CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited the Museum of Science and Industry’s (MSI) ‘The Blue Paradox’ exhibit, an immersive experience focusing on the pervasiveness of plastics in the oceans and Great Lakes. “Reducing plastic production starts with educating the public, which is exactly what MSI’s ‘The Blue Paradox’ exhibit is doing,” said Durbin. “This exhibit opens our eyes to the realities of plastic use and its impact on the world around us, especially our waters. We must do… Continue Reading

Durbin, Duckworth Announce $2.1 Million in Federal Grant Funding for Fair Housing Efforts in Chicago-Area

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $2,125,000 in federal funding for Illinois housing non-profits from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The funding comes from the Fiscal Year (FY23) Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) Second- and Third-Year Private Enforcement Initiative (PEI) grants.  Continuing the funding these organizations secured in FY21 and FY22 FHIP competitions, today’s… Continue Reading

Durbin, Garcia Visit Franklin Park to Announce $8 Million for Rail Safety

FRANKLIN PARK – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL-4) joined Village of Franklin Park Mayor Barrett Pedersen today to announce $8 million in funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program to complete project development and final design for a grade separation of Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern tracks through the Village while closing one or more at-grade crossings… Continue Reading

Durbin Visit Brandon Road Project to Receive Updates

JOLIET – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project, a critical pinch point with several technologies to prevent upstream movement of invasive carp and other aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes from the Illinois Waterway, to receive updates on the Project Partnership Agreement and the site’s construction. “There is a looming threat posed by invasive carp to the invaluable economic and environmental resources of our Great Lakes,” sa… Continue Reading