Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin Meets with Urban Prep Students to Discuss Overcoming Influence of Gangs, Gun Violence
[CHICAGO] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Urban Prep Academy's West campus to meet with students and hear how they overcame difficult circumstances while growing up in some of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods. The students shared stories of how, despite growing up in high-crime communities, they have opted to avoid street violence and instead enroll at Urban Prep, a high-performing network of charter schools in the city. "Guns and gangs can be an enticing draw for young men … Continue Reading
April 02, 2013
Durbin Meets with Peoria Law Enforcement Leaders to Discuss "Don't Shoot" Program
[PEORIA, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with local law enforcement leaders and elected officials to hear how the City of Peoria is using the Don't Shoot program to fight violent crime. Peoria's crime rate has fallen in the first three months of 2013 and city law enforcement estimates the number of gun-related emergency calls has dropped fifteen to thirty percent. "Gun violence is plaguing many Illinois communities from Chicago to East St. Louis," Durbin said. "Peoria's … Continue Reading
March 27, 2013
Durbin Meets with Law Enforcement Leaders to Discuss Gun Violence in East St. Louis
[EAST ST. LOUIS] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with state, county and regional law enforcement leaders from the Metro East area to learn about the challenges they face in their jurisdiction related to gun violence and gun trafficking and, in turn, brief them on the gun violence legislation the U.S. Senate is expected to debate next month. "Over the last few months, as Congress has begun to debate legislation to reduce gun violence, I have met with law enforcement leaders … Continue Reading
February 28, 2013
Durbin Statement on the Passage of Bipartisan Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed a five-year reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, sending the bill to the President for his signature. The legislation will help ensure that all victims of sexual assault and domestic violence are protected and that organizations across the country assisting these victims continue to have access to critical funding and resources. … Continue Reading
February 04, 2013
Durbin Statement on Federal Bureau of Prisons Assessment of Its Solitary Confinement Practices
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today announcing that the Federal Bureau of Prisons has agreed to a comprehensive and independent assessment of its use of solitary confinement in the nation's federal prisons. This first-ever review of federal segregation policies comes after Durbin chaired a hearing last year on the human rights, fiscal and public safety consequences of solitary confinement. Last week, Durbin and Bureau of … Continue Reading
January 29, 2013
Durbin Psys Tribute to Hadiya Pendleton on Senate Floor
On the one-year anniversary of shooting victim Hadiya Pendleton's tragic death, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today paid tribute to her memory on the Senate Floor, and commended her family and friends' ongoing efforts to help reduce gang and gun violence in Chicago. Durbin has co-sponsored a measure with Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) named in Hadiya's honor that would prohibit the trafficking and straw purchase of firearms. "I rise today to pay tribute to Hadiya Pendleton, lost one year ago … Continue Reading
January 23, 2013
Durbin Joins Leahy in Introducing Legislation to Combat Illegal Straw Purchasing and Firearms Trafficking
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, last evening joined the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) in introducing legislation that aims to combat the practice of "straw purchasing" and illegal trafficking in firearms. The Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2013 provides law enforcement officials with the tools they need to investigate and prosecute the all-too-common practice of straw purchasing, … Continue Reading
January 16, 2013
Durbin Statement on Administration's Plan to Reduce Gun Violence
[Washington, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after President Obama unveiled a series of proposals to reduce gun violence following the tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut last month. Today's proposals were spearheaded by Vice President Biden and come after a series of meetings with law enforcement, gun safety organizations, sportsmen's groups, the entertainment industry and mental health professionals. "Today's comprehensive … Continue Reading
January 15, 2013
Durbin Forwards Recommendations for Federal Judges in the Northern District to the 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 Northern District of Illinois. Durbin forwarded the names of the following seven individuals to President Obama for consideration: Jorge Alonso, Michael Brody, Sara Ellis, Caryn Jacobs, Patricia Martin, Mary Smith and Andrea Wood. "One of … Continue Reading
January 10, 2013
Durbin Hosts Gun Violence Listening Session with Chicago Area Law Enforcement Officials
[CHICAGO] - 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 Chicago metropolitan 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 … Continue Reading
December 17, 2012
Senate Approves Durkin Nomination for Illinois Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that the Senate has approved the nomination of Thomas Durkin to fill a pending vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. "Tom Durkin has the qualifications, independence and integrity to serve with distinction on the federal bench. Throughout his career, Tom Durkin has demonstrated strong leadership in his community and a solid commitment to public service." said … Continue Reading
December 12, 2012
Durbin Holds Hearing on Ending the School-to-Prison Pipeline
[Washington, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, held a hearing today on the school-to-prison pipeline. The first-ever Congressional hearing on the matter investigated the troubling increase in the number of young people sent to the juvenile delinquency system as a result of relatively minor school discipline issues. "For many young people, our schools are increasingly a … Continue Reading
December 03, 2012
Durbin and Kirk Send Four Finalists for U.S. Attorney to the White House
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today recommended four finalists for the position of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois to President Obama for consideration. The four finalists are, in alphabetical order: Jonathan Bunge; Zachary Fardon; Lori Lightfoot; and Gil Soffer. "I'm pleased to recommend four exceptional candidates to be the next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois," Durbin said. "Each brings a range of legal … Continue Reading
November 16, 2012
Durbin, Schakowsky, Emanuel Urge French Justice Minister to Ensure Justice Is Done During Hans Peterson Retrial
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel today urged the Minister of Justice of France to ensure that justice is served in the retrial of Hans Peterson, who confessed to murdering Chicago physician Dr. David Cornbleet in 2006. Peterson was initially convicted of murder in a 2011 trial in the French justice system and received the most severe sentence available. Peterson exercised his right under French law … Continue Reading
October 02, 2012
Durbin, Quinn Announce Sale of Thomson Correctional Center to the Federal Government
[THOMSON, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the Obama administration and the Federal Bureau of Prisons will purchase the underutilized, state-of-the-art maximum security Thomson Correctional Center to house federal criminal offenders. More than 1,100 jobs are expected to be generated once the facility is fully operational. "At the direction of President Obama, the Department of Justice, on behalf of the federal Bureau of Prisons, … Continue Reading
September 20, 2012
Durbin Announces More Than $567,000 in Funding to Enhance Programs Addressing Violence Against Women on College Campuses
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $567,196 in grants through the Office of Violence Against Women to support programs at Illinois institutions of higher education aimed at preventing and combating violent crimes against women on campus. The funding is made available through the Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program. … Continue Reading
September 19, 2012
Durbin Chairs Hearing on Hate Crimes and the Threat of Domestic Extremism
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, chaired a hearing today on hate crimes and the threat of domestic extremism. Today's hearing, which comes just a month after the mass shooting by a white supremacist at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, asked what the federal government is doing to prevent hate crimes from taking place and whether sufficient resources are … Continue Reading
September 17, 2012
Durbin Announces Nearly $4 Million in Funding to Enhance Illinois Justice Programs Focused on Addressing Violence Against Women
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $3,859,210 in grants through the Office of Violence Against Women to support the establishment or enhancement of several justice system programs in Illinois. These programs provide support and services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in a number of Illinois communities through research and education initiatives, as well as legal … Continue Reading
September 13, 2012
Durbin Announces More Than $5.6 Million in DOJ Funding to Enhance Illinois Justice Programs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $5,671,165 in grants to support the establishment or enhancement of several justice system programs in Illinois. These programs provide support and services to a number of Illinois communities through research and education initiatives, as well as legal assistance and support services. "Our nation's law enforcement officers are called upon day after … Continue Reading
September 10, 2012
Durbin Announces More Than $1 Million in DOJ Funding to Enhance Illinois' Justice System
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $1,089,638 in grants to support the establishment or enhancement of several justice system programs in Illinois. These programs provide support and services to a number of Illinois communities through research and education initiatives, as well as legal assistance and support services. The following Illinois entities and programs will receive … Continue Reading