Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin: Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Rock Island Resident's Nomination for Federal Judgeship in the Central District
[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 Darrow for a federal judgeship on the U.S. District Court in the Central District of Illinois. Her nomination will now proceed to a vote by the full Senate."Ms. Darrow has an impressive record of service in the Rock Island area, prosecuting some of the most challenging cases, said Durbin. "Having served with distinction as a state … Continue Reading
May 11, 2011
Durbin, Reid, Menendez, 30 Others Introduce the DREAM Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and 30 other Senators introduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act today - a narrowly tailored bill to give undocumented students a chance to earn legal status if they came here as children, are long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character, and complete two years of college or military service in good … Continue Reading
May 06, 2011
Durbin and Manzullo Statement Following Rockford Courthouse Walk-Through
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today released the following statement after the completion of a walk-through of the Rockford Courthouse that was led by representatives from the General Services Administration and the Court. Manzullo participated in today's tour along with representatives from Durbin's office. "The new Rozkowski Courthouse is a beautiful building. Over a hundred local workers did a wonderful job constructing a state … Continue Reading
May 04, 2011
Durbin and Manzullo Express Concern Over Delay of Rockford Courthouse Opening in Meeting with GSA Administrator
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today met with the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA), Martha Johnson, to express their concerns over reports that the opening of the Roszkowski Courthouse in Rockford, Illinois will be delayed until mid-September due to the need to address poor workmanship. Durbin and Manzullo urged Johnson to do everything possible to safely expedite the process while ensuring the highest quality … Continue Reading
April 15, 2011
Durbin Meets with Bureau of Prisons Director to Discuss Thomson Funding
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, Harley Lappin, to urge him to identify funding for the acquisition of Thomson Correctional Center in Carroll County, Illinois, in order to open it as a federal maximum security prison. The FY2011 budget agreement that passed Congress late yesterday provided the Bureau with the funds necessary to operate for the remainder of the fiscal year. "Director Lappin assured me that the … Continue Reading
April 04, 2011
Durbin: Obama Administration will not Transfer Prisoners from Guantanamo Bay to Thomson
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a letter to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Attorney General Eric Holder clearly stated that the Obama Administration has no intention of transferring prisoners from Guantanamo Bay to Thomson Correctional Center, a move that is already prohibited by federal law. Today's letter was sent in response to a February letter that Durbin had sent to Holder outlining the bipartisan support for the purchase of Thomson prison and a March letter from Durbin and Senator Mark Kirk … Continue Reading
March 29, 2011
Durbin Chairs First-Ever Hearing on the Civil RIghts of American Muslims
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired the first-ever Congressional hearing on the civil rights of American Muslims today where he highlighted the "First Freedom" - the freedom of religion - and the rights the Constitution affords all Americans. "Many of our nation's founders fled religious persecution, which is why our Constitution puts great importance on religious freedom."Durbin said. "Today, addressing anti-Muslim discrimination is an important … Continue Reading
March 22, 2011
Durbin to Chair First-Ever Hearing on the Civil Rights of American Muslims
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that he will hold the first-ever Congressional hearing on the civil rights of American Muslims on Tuesday, March 29, 2011. The hearing will be the first hearing before the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. Senator Durbin is the Subcommittee's Chairman. "Our Constitution protects the free exercise of religion for all Americans," Durbin said. "During the … Continue Reading
March 18, 2011
Durbin, Kirk Ask Attorney General to Clearly State that No Prisoners from Guantanamo Bay Will Be Transferred to Thomson
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today asked Attorney General, Eric Holder, to clearly state that his Administration has no intention of transferring prisoners from Guantanamo Bay to Thomson Correctional Center so that Congress can focus its efforts on acquiring and operating Thomson as a maximum-security federal prison. The activation of Thomson Correctional Center by the federal government is expected to create more than 1,100 jobs and inject at … Continue Reading
March 07, 2011
Central District Judge Confirmation
Mr. President, I rise in support of two of the nominees. I will vote for all three, but I rise in support of two of the nominees--Sue Myerscough and James Shadid for the Central District of Illinois. These are nominees whom I presented to the President and who passed through the review not only by the White House but also by the Senate Judiciary Committee and now come before us today to be considered by the Senate. This day has come not a moment too soon for the Central District of … Continue Reading
March 07, 2011
Durbin: Senate Confirms Myerscough and Shadid to Fill Federal Judgeships in Central District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate has unanimously approved Sue Myerscough and James Shadid for federal judgeships on the U.S. District Court in the Central District of Illinois. Prior to the vote, Durbin spoke in favor of the two nominees on the Senate floor. "This day has come not a moment too soon for the Central District of Illinois," said Durbin. "Since last August, the Central District of Illinois has had only one federal district … Continue Reading
March 01, 2011
Illinois Lawmakers Introduce House and Senate Resolutions Condemning Iran's Continued Persecution of Baha'i Minority
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), U.S. Rep. Robert Dold (R-Ill.) and U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) today introduced bipartisan resolutions in the House and Senate calling attention to the continued plight of Baha'is in Iran. Baha'is comprise the largest religious minority in Iran, where the Baha'i religion was founded in the 19th century. According to the 2010 U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report, "Since the 1979 … Continue Reading
February 17, 2011
Durbin on Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Federal Judicial Nominees in Central District
[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 Sue Myerscough and James Shadid for federal judgeships on the U.S. District Court in the Central District of Illinois. Their nominations will now proceed to a vote by the full Senate. "Justice Myerscough and Judge Shadid will each bring a great depth of experience and legal acumen to the federal judiciary," said Durbin. "Three of the four … Continue Reading
February 14, 2011
Durbin to Chair New Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights Subcommittee
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) made the following statement today after Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT) announced the creation of the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights Subcommittee and named Durbin as its Chairman: "Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt reminds us that many will risk their lives for the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. As Chairman of this subcommittee, I will do my best to honor the Constitution … Continue Reading
February 03, 2011
Durbin Named to Holocaust Memorial Council
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) has been named to the Holocaust Memorial Council, the board of trustees for United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. "It is a great honor to serve on the Holocaust Memorial Council," Durbin said. "The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is not only a place for remembering the millions of people who lost their lives to the Holocaust, it is also a place to teach a new generation about … Continue Reading
January 07, 2011
Durbin Announces Bipartisan Screening Committee for Federal Judges in the Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced the formation of a bipartisan screening committee to assist in selecting Federal District Court Judges for the Northern District of Illinois. There are currently three vacant judgeships in the Northern District, and the immediate task of the screening committee is to review applications and make recommendations to Durbin for filling current and future vacancies. The screening committee will be comprised of 10 distinguished … Continue Reading
January 05, 2011
Durbin: White House Nominates Myerscough, Shadid and Darrow to Fill Federal Judgeships in Central District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that President Obama has nominated Appellate Court Justice Sue Myerscough, Judge James Shadid and Sara Darrow to fill three vacancies on the U.S. District Court in the Central District of Illinois. All three were nominated by President Obama last year, but did not complete the Senate confirmation process before the end of the 111th Congress. "All three of the President's nominees are excellent candidates for federal … Continue Reading
December 21, 2010
Durbin Statement on Auction of Thomson
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the auction of Thomson Correctional Center concluded earlier today. "The federal Bureau of Prisons has informed me that, though they are still completing the necessary reviews of Thomson Correction Center, acquiring the facility is a top priority of the Obama Administration," said Durbin. "I am encouraged that the negotiations between the State of Illinois and that federal government are ongoing. In … Continue Reading
December 01, 2010
Durbin: Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Federal Judicial Nominees in Central District
[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 Sue Myerscough and James Shadid for federal judgeships on the U.S. District Court in the Central District of Illinois. Their nominations will now proceed to a vote by the full Senate. "Justice Myerscough and Judge Shadid will each bring a great depth of experience and legal acumen to the federal judiciary," said Durbin. "I look forward … Continue Reading
November 18, 2010
Durbin Chairs Hearing on Ratification of Women's Rights Treaty
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired a hearing today on U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). CEDAW is the only international treaty to focus solely on the rights of women and it addresses issues such as violence against women, sex trafficking, the right to vote and equal access to education. Today's hearing was the first ever Judiciary Committee hearing on whether to ratify a … Continue Reading