Press Releases
Durbin Forwards Recommendations for Federal Judges and US Marshal to White House
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today forwarded a list of names to the White House to consider when filling positions for the U.S. District Court and U.S. Marshal in the Northern District of Illinois. There are currently three vacancies to be filled on the U.S. District Court and one position of U.S. Marshal for the Northern District; Durbin has already recommended that current U.S. Attorney for the Northern District, Patrick Fitzgerald retain his post. Based on … Continue Reading
August 07, 2009
Durbin, Coburn Continue to Press Tech Companies on Human Rights Code Of Conduct
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) sent a letter today to 26 tech companies, urging them to join a voluntary code of conduct known as the Global Network Initiative (GNI). Recent crackdowns in China and Iran have made the code of conduct, which regulates the actions of technology firms operating in countries that restrict freedom of expression, even more important to the protection of human rights. Durbin and Coburn, Chairman … Continue Reading
August 06, 2009
Durbin Announces Senate Approval of Legislation to Extend Hydroelectric Project at Melvin Price Locks and Dam
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the United States Senate approved legislation to authorize the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) to extend the license for the proposed hydroelectric power project at Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, IL. The legislation, sponsored by Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) and passed in the House of Representatives last month, will now go to President Obama for his signature. "This project … Continue Reading
August 06, 2009
Durbin Introduces Legislation to Ensure Anesthesia and Surgical Services in Rural Areas are Covered
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation late last night that would allow services provided by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to be reimbursed by Medicare. The Rural Access to Nurse Anesthesia Services Act would close existing loopholes to guarantee anesthesiology cost reimbursement for Critical Access Hospitals and enable these hospitals to continue to provide surgical services to residents in rural areas. "In my … Continue Reading
August 06, 2009
Durbin Works with FEMA to Clarify Disaster Assistance Policy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced FEMA's clarification of a controversial disaster assistance policy that was changed earlier this year. The clarification, which Senator Durbin worked closely with FEMA to accomplish, restores FEMA's previous practice of funding repairs to levees and other flood control works, including the removal of debris and the placement and removal of flood fighting measures. "For the past few months, I have been … Continue Reading
August 06, 2009
Durbin: Mail Processing Operation to Remain in Quincy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a letter to Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Postmaster General Jack Potter announced the termination of the Area Mail Processing study that was under way concerning the possible consolidation of operations of the mail processing and distribution center in Quincy, Illinois. Potter also assured Durbin that no positions will be eliminated at the facility due to the study. "This announcement is good news for the employees of the mail processing … Continue Reading
August 06, 2009
Durbin Statement on the Confirmation of Judge Sonya Sotomayor
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Senate voted to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor as an Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court: "When the doors of the Supreme Court open for Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the doors of opportunity open wider in America." "In the history of the United States, 110 Supreme Court Justices have served under our Constitution; 106 of them have been white males. We've … 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
August 04, 2009
Durbin: Senate Approves Nearly $8.5 Million for Illinois Agriculture Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that the Senate has approved $8,478,000 for Illinois projects with the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA includes funding for the following Illinois projects and programs: • Biotechnology Research Development Corporation (BRDC), Peoria. $3,500,000 in funding to facilitate the … Continue Reading
July 31, 2009
Durbin Announces Senate Committee Approval of $7 Million for Campus Safety
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $7 million in funding for colleges and universities to support their emergency management and campus safety efforts. The money will be used for a program passed into law last year and based on Durbin's legislation, the Campus Law Enforcement Emergency Response Act, which will help ensure that all colleges and universities develop emergency response procedures and … 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 30, 2009
Durbin Bill to Provide Financial Security to Families of Federal Judges Passes House, Sent to President Obama for Signature
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A bipartisan bill to provide the surviving family members of Federal judges with financial and health benefits, unanimously passed the US House of Representatives late yesterday, sending it to the president for his signature. The bill will provide for a limited 6-month open season for Federal judges to opt into the Judicial Survivors' Annuities System (JSAS). Earlier this month the Senate unanimously passed the legislation which is sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority … Continue Reading
July 30, 2009
Durbin Extends Impact Aid Funding Formula for Schools Serving the Great Lakes Naval Base
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Impact Aid Coalition, today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a Durbin authored amendment that will extend the practice of allowing the five public schools serving the Great Lakes Naval Training Base to pool their students to maximize federal education assistance through the Impact Aid program. This amendment - added to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services and … Continue Reading
July 30, 2009
Durbin: Senate Committee Approves $5.2 Million in Health and Education Projects for Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member, has approved $5.2 million in federal funding for health and education projects in Illinois. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 appropriations bill for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations includes funding for the following projects: • Alivio Medical Center, Cicero: $500,000 in funding for … Continue Reading
July 29, 2009
Durbin Announces $37 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Community Health Centers in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that 36 community health centers in Illinois will receive $ 37,435,380 in grant funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Capital Improvement Grants (CIP) grants, allocated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will support the construction, repair and renovation of health centers nationwide as well as allow health centers to purchase new health information … Continue Reading
July 29, 2009
Durbin: Senate Approves More Than $111 Million for Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Senate has approved $111,037,000 for energy- and water-related projects in Illinois. The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill includes funding for the following projects: Army Corps of Engineers: • Carlyle Lake, Carlyle. $5,171,000 in funding for operations and maintenance at Carlyle Lake, the largest man-made lake in Illinois, with over 26,000 acres of water and 11,000 acres of … 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 28, 2009
Durbin: Recovery Act Funding Will Put 50 More Cops on the Beat in Chicago
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois law enforcement agencies will receive a total of $25,867,708 in Recovery Act funding under the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP). Today's funding will be used to hire or rehire 106 new police officers in Illinois - 50 of which will be in Chicago. "At a time when tight budgets have forced many law enforcement … Continue Reading
July 27, 2009
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces $616,441 Recovery Act Grant
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $616,441 Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Village of Milledgeville, Ill., to help build roadways and sewer service for a new industrial park. The project, made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is expected to create additional jobs and generate private investment in the region. "The Obama Administration is committed to creating jobs, encouraging innovation … 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