Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin Chairs Hearing on Closing the Prison at Guantanamo Bay
[WASHINGTON, DC] Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today chaired a hearing to examine the national security, fiscal and human rights implications of closing the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The hearing was the first on this issue in the Senate since 2009 and comes two months after President Obama's May 23rd national security speech, in which he announced new steps towards the closure of Guantanamo. "The President's authority to close Guantanamo Bay has been limited by … Continue Reading
July 23, 2013
An Important Tool to Reduce Gun Violence
CSI is one of the hottest shows on television. Brilliant investigative minds use all the tools to catch criminals and make us safer. Now it's time for Illinois law enforcement to use the most basic tool to fight gun violence: tracing crime guns. It costs the police nothing and solves crimes, yet hundreds of Illinois law enforcement agencies still don't use this basic crime-fighting tool. Here's how the crime gun tracing system works. When a gun is recovered in a criminal … Continue Reading
July 22, 2013
Durbin Bill Urges Law Enforcement to Take Advantage of Federal Gun Tracing Resources
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on law enforcement agencies to take advantage of the federal gun tracing resources available to help them crack down on gun violence. Durbin announced he is introducing a bill that creates strong incentives for law enforcement agencies to report 100 percent of the crime guns they recover to the ATF National Tracing Center, a practice many agencies do not currently follow. Crime gun tracing can help generate leads in criminal … Continue Reading
July 18, 2013
Durbin: Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Federal Judicial Nominees in Northern & Central District District of Illinois
[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 Ellis and Andrea Wood for federal judgeships on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and Colin Bruce for a federal judgeship on the U.S. District Court in the Central District of Illinois. Their nominations will now proceed to a vote by the full Senate. "Both Sara Ellis and Andrea Wood will make … Continue Reading
July 18, 2013
Durbin, Bustos: Senate Committee Calls for Activation of Thomson Prison
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (IL-17) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which Durbin is a member, today approved funding for the activation of the Thomson correctional facility in Thomson, Illinois at the level that was requested by President Obama in his fiscal year 2014 budget proposal which was delivered to Congress last April. Durbin and Bustos plan to meet with officials from the Department of … Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
Durbin Forwards Recommendations for Federal Judges in the Southern District to White House
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Based on recommendations made by a bipartisan screening committee, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today forwarded a list of names to the White House for consideration when filling vacant judgeships on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Durbin forwarded the names of the following five individuals - George A. Norwood, Nancy J. Rosenstengel, Stephen Stone, Lisa M. Wood and Staci M. Yandle - to President Obama for consideration for filling … Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
Durbin Statement on the Supreme Court's Decision on the Voting Rights Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today, after the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. "For almost 50 years, the Voting Rights Act has protected minority populations from discrimination at the ballot box, whether in the form of poll taxes, literacy tests or voter identification laws and discriminatory redistricting. We need look no further than the last election cycle to understand the … Continue Reading
June 24, 2013
Durbin Statement on the Supreme Court's Decision in Fisher v. University of Texas
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today, after the Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of the University of Texas's admission policy. In its 7-1 ruling, the Court reaffirmed the principle that universities may consider racial and ethnic diversity as one factor among many in a narrowly tailored admissions policy. "Today's decision reaffirms our nation's commitment to racial and ethnic diversity" Durbin said. "This … Continue Reading
June 20, 2013
Durbin, Kelly to Mayor Parks: Extending Club Hours Will Increase Risk of Violence, Undermine Federal Law Enforcement Efforts
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a letter to East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks and members of the East St. Louis City Council, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and St. Clair County State's Attorney Brendan Kelly today said that extending night club hours in East St. Louis will increase the risk of violence and killings while undermining federal law enforcement efforts that Durbin has fought to bring to East St. Louis. Their letter was sent following a report by the Belleville News-Democrat that the … Continue Reading
June 19, 2013
Durbin Introduces Bruce, Ellis & Wood at Senate Committee Hearing on Illinois Judicial Nominations
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today chaired a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which he is a member, on President Obama's nomination of Sara Ellis and Andrea Wood to fill vacancies on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and President Obama's nomination of Colin Bruce to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Central District of Illinois that will open up on June 30th. Their nominations are expected to receive votes in the … Continue Reading
June 18, 2013
Durbin: I Want to Put the Gun Lobby on Notice
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] After a spike in gun deaths in Chicago over Father's Day weekend, and just six months after the tragic shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the United States Senate Floor regarding the continuing toll of gun violence in America. "This past week we lost too many Americans, too many Illinoisans to gunfire. Over the weekend, at least 6 were killed and dozens more were wounded in shootings across the Chicago area," Durbin said. "We … Continue Reading
June 18, 2013
Durbin Urges Chief Justice Roberts to Increase Transparency and Acess by Providing Live Audio of Court Proceedings
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With numerous high-profile Supreme Court opinions likely to be announced in the coming weeks, Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to Chief Justice John Roberts today urging him to provide live audio of the Court's public proceedings. Durbin applauded the Court's recent decision to release same-day transcripts and end-of-the-week audio of oral arguments and opinion announcements, but asked for additional steps to be taken to increase the public's access to … Continue Reading
June 12, 2013
Durbin Raises Concerns Over Collection of Americans' Personal Information by Government Agencies
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) raised concerns today at a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee with National Security Agency Director General Keith Alexander over Section 215 of the Patriot Act, which has been reportedly been used to obtain the phone records of hundreds of millions of Americans and can also be used to obtain other sensitive personal information, including medical records, internet search records, tax records, and credit card records. "Over … Continue Reading
June 07, 2013
Durbin Hosts Gun Violence Listening Session with Rockford Area Law Enforcement Officials
[ROCKFORD] - In preparation for the Congressional debate on gun violence expected to begin later this month, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with law enforcement leaders from the Rockford area to discuss the strategies being used to reduce violent crime and prevent mass shootings in the city and surrounding communities and what Congress can do to help. "The slayings of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School shocked … Continue Reading
June 06, 2013
Durbin Statement on NSA Phone Tracking and the Patriot Act
Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after it was reported that the National Security Agency secretly obtained phone records of Verizon calls made by innocent Americans in the United States. "For over a decade, we've debated how best to protect America from terrorism while preserving the most basic constitutional rights," Durbin said. "Today's revelation is disturbing, but it should not be surprising. I have tried to reform … Continue Reading
June 04, 2013
Durbin and Kelly Meet to Discuss Transportation, Economic Development Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) to discuss constituent services and economic development priorities in Illinois's 2nd congressional district, including job-creating infrastructure projects and efforts to train and educate workers in advanced manufacturing. "I am pleased to welcome Congresswoman Kelly to Illinois' congressional delegation. In her first few weeks in office, Congresswoman Kelly has already proven … Continue Reading
May 29, 2013
Durbin, Kirk Meet with U.S. Attorney Nominee Zachary Fardon to Urge Forceful Prosecution of Gun and Gang Violence in Chicago
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today met with U.S. Attorney for the Northern District nominee Zachary Fardon to discuss his confirmation process and the need to prioritize prosecution of violent crime in the U.S. Attorney's office upon his confirmation. Durbin and Kirk urged Fardon to use the full power of the office to pursue and prosecute violent criminals in Chicago and across the Northern District. "Zachary Fardon is a dynamic pick for … Continue Reading
May 28, 2013
Durbin, Bustos Meet with Rockford Law Enforcement Officials to Discuss Crime Reduction Strategy
[ROCKFORD, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) met today with senior federal, county and local law enforcement officials to be briefed about the violent crime facing Rockford and the law enforcement response. The meeting focused on ensuring cooperation between law enforcement agencies on crime prevention efforts and making sure important information is shared between jurisdictions. "While overall crime rates are down this year compared to … Continue Reading
May 06, 2013
Durbin, Maloney Re-Introduce Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act today, which will allow employees to take unpaid leave to care for a same-sex spouse or partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, grandchild or grandparent. "Regardless of the make-up of one's family, all employees should be given the same rights to care for a sick loved one in a time of need," Durbin said. "For 20 … Continue Reading
April 30, 2013
Durbin: White House Nominates Three to Fill Federal Judicial Vacancies in Central & Southern Districts
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that President Obama will nominate Sara Ellis and Andrea Wood to fill two current vacancies on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. President Obama also announced his intent to nominate Colin Bruce to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Central District of Illinois that will open up on June 30th. "All three of the President's nominees are excellent candidates for federal judgeships … Continue Reading