Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin Calls on Federal and Local Law Enforcement Officials to Develop Action Plan to Apprehend International Fugitives
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Prompted by a Chicago Tribune investigation, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on federal and local law enforcement officials to develop an action plan to apprehend international fugitives wanted for committing serious crimes in Illinois. While noting a shared concern over the growing problem, Durbin asked for a meeting between federal, state and local law enforcement officials to make sure that all efforts are coordinated in order to bring these dangerous … Continue Reading
November 01, 2011
Durbin: Bill to Fund Departments of Agriculture, Transportation, Justice, Others Protects Several Illinois Priorities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate has approved a bill to fund several federal agencies for the 2012 fiscal year that includes funding that will enhance programs and create jobs in Illinois. Many of these priorities were included in President Obama's 2012 Budget and supported by Durbin. High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail On September 21, Durbin - a Co-Chair and founding member of the Bi-Cameral High- Speed & Intercity Passenger … Continue Reading
September 24, 2011
Durbin Applauds Faith Leaders for Holding DREAM Sabbath
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) commended religious leaders from a broad variety of faith traditions today for celebrating the DREAM Sabbath - an initiative enlisting churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples around the country to dedicate time during their regular weekly worship service to a conversation about the DREAM Act. The nationwide event began this weekend, and will continue into the fall. The DREAM Sabbath was created to build on the broad grassroots support for … Continue Reading
September 21, 2011
Durbin Announces Over $4.8 Million DOJ Investment to Enhance the Justice System in Illinois
[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 $4,850,881 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, family or adult drug treatment courts, and juvenile delinquent rehabilitation programs. The following Illinois … Continue Reading
September 14, 2011
Durbin Unveils 2012 Financial Services, General Government Appropriations Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), today unveiled the subcommittee's appropriations package for fiscal year 2012. The bill covers $21.73 billion in discretionary spending for the nation's consumer and financial watchdogs, over two dozen agencies within the Executive Branch; the Federal Courts; District of Columbia; and independent agencies. "This … Continue Reading
September 13, 2011
Durbin Announces Nearly $1.9 Million DOJ Investment in Illinois Law Enforcement
[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 $1,896,780 in grants to support the enhancement of two programs that provide research and technology for Illinois law enforcement. "Our nation's law enforcement officers are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As these brave men and women put themselves in harm's way, we must ensure that they are equipped with … Continue Reading
September 08, 2011
Durbin: States Making it Harder for People to Vote
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, chaired a hearing today which examined a rash of new state voting laws that threaten to suppress turnout across the country. New laws in over a dozen states significantly reduce the number of early voting days, require voters to show restrictive forms of photo identification before voting, and make it harder for volunteer organizations to register new … Continue Reading
September 08, 2011
Durbin Announces More Than $600,000 in DOJ Funding for Illinois Judiciary 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 $652,570 in grants to support the enhancement of two Illinois programs that seek to provide representation for potentially wrongly convicted defendants and to provide better services through drug treatment courts. The following Illinois entities and programs will receive funding: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL: $202,879 in funding has … Continue Reading
September 08, 2011
Durbin Announces Over $6.2 Million Investment in Illinois Housing Agencies
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that Illinois Housing Agencies will receive $ 6,289,102 in grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grants provide funding for housing counseling along with funding for local units of government. "Improvements to public housing will enhance the quality of life for individuals who rely on this important service - including nearly 80,000 people in Illinois," said … Continue Reading
September 06, 2011
Durbin Announces More Than $5 Million in DOJ Funding to Enhance Community and Law Enforcement Safety
[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 $5,118,812 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to support Illinois law enforcement officers. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, named in memorial of a young police officer who was killed while on duty, is administered by The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The grants are awarded to states … Continue Reading
September 02, 2011
Durbin to Chair Hearing Examining New State Voting Laws that Threaten to Suppress Turnout Nationwide
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, today announced a hearing examining a rash of new state voting laws that threaten to suppress turnout across the country. These new laws significantly reduce the number of early voting days, require voters to show restrictive forms of photo identification before voting, and make it harder for volunteer organizations to register new voters. Supporters of … Continue Reading
August 18, 2011
Durbin Lauds Obama Administration Announcement on Dream Act Deportation Cases
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, in a letter to Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and 21 other Senators, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that the Administration has established a new process for handling the deportation cases of DREAM Act students and other sympathetic individuals. If fully implemented, the new process should stop virtually all DREAM Act deportations. "The Obama Administration has made the right decision in changing the way they … Continue Reading
August 15, 2011
Durbin Announces More Than $9.5 Million in DOJ Funding to Enhance Community and Law Enforcement Safety
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded a total of $9,593,477 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to support Illinois law enforcement officers. "Our nation's law enforcement officers are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As these brave men and women put themselves in harm's way, we must ensure that they are equipped with the best tools possible to do their … Continue Reading
August 12, 2011
Durbin: Mayor's Decision to Enforce 1 A.M. Cutoff for Liquor Sales is Step In Right Direction, but More Still Needs to be Done
[EAST ST. LOUIS, IL] - The East St. Louis Mayor's decision to enforce the 1 a.m. cutoff for liquor store sales is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to reduce the violence that is plaguing the area, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), an East St. Louis native, said today. On Wednesday, Durbin talked to Mayor Alvin Parks by phone following a meeting with residents of the John DeShields Housing Development and the Working Against Violent Elements (WAVE) Task Force, a … Continue Reading
August 10, 2011
At Durbin's Urging, Federal Agencies Devote Additional Resources to Combat Violent Crime in East St. Louis
[EAST ST. LOUIS, IL] - Federal law enforcement agencies have begun committing greater attention and resources to the violent crime problem in East St. Louis, which is among the worst in the nation, but more needs to be done to reduce the violence, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today after meeting with the Working Against Violent Elements (WAVE) Task Force. The task force is a collaboration of federal, state and local agencies which works to combat violent crime in the East St. Louis … Continue Reading
August 09, 2011
Durbin Announces Nearly $2.3 Million in DOJ Funding to Protect Illinois Youth
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded a total of $2,299,205 to government agencies in Illinois for programs focused on protecting juveniles and promoting child Internet safety. "Today's funding will help combat juvenile delinquency in Illinois and strengthen and improve safeguards for our children against Internet predators," said Durbin. The following Illinois government offices and programs will … Continue Reading
July 06, 2011
Durbin Forwards Recommendations for Federal Judges in the Northern 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 Northern District of Illinois. Durbin forwarded the names of the following four individuals to President Obama for consideration: Julie Bauer, Edward Feldman, John Lee and Sheldon Zenner. "Making recommendations to the White House on … Continue Reading
June 28, 2011
Opening Remarks at the First-ever Senate Hearing on the DREAM Act
Thousands of immigrant students in the United States were brought to the United States as children. It was not their decision to come to this country, but they grew up here pledging allegiance to our flag and singing our national anthem. They are American in their hearts. The DREAM Act would give these young people a chance to earn legal status if they have good moral character and go to college or serve in the military. The DREAM Act would make America a stronger country by giving … Continue Reading
May 18, 2011
Remarks in Support for the Nomination of Goodwin Liu
I rise in support of the nomination of Professor Goodwin Liu to serve on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Professor Liu has been nominated to fill a seat that has been vacant since January 2009. This vacancy has been declared a judicial emergency by the non-partisan Administrative Office of the United States Courts. So no one questions that this seat needs to be filled. Professor Liu is eminently qualified And no one can seriously question Professor … Continue Reading
May 17, 2011
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