Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure in the 111th Congress
Durbin Announces $2 Million in Funding for Chicago O'Hare Airport
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $2 million grant to the city of Chicago for O'Hare International Airport. Today's funding will be used to rehabilitate an already existing runway at the airport in order to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration's annual runway … Continue Reading
May 19, 2009
Durbin Announces $6 Million in Recovery Act Funding for O'Hare Noise Mitigation
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $6,000,000 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the City of Chicago for noise mitigation measures at public buildings near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. This grant will fund sound proofing efforts - including acoustic window unit, ceiling, vestibule and doorway installment, mechanical and electrical system revision and existing … Continue Reading
May 12, 2009
Durbin Announces More Than $5.2 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Illinois Airports
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $5,281,580 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the state of Illinois for airport improvements. "Rehabilitation of airport infrastructure will put people to work immediately on projects that will help Illinois airports serve travelers safely and efficiently," said Durbin. The following airports will receive … Continue Reading
May 08, 2009
Durbin Announces $3.8 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Illinois Airport Security
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded a $3,860,677.60 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to streamline baggage screening and enhance security capabilities at Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport in Springfield and Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The funding distribution will be determined at a later date based on plans to be submitted by each airport. … Continue Reading
April 30, 2009
Durbin: Legislation Needed to Repair Rail Transit System for Chicago and Rest of Nation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that he is drafting legislation - for consideration in the next surface transportation bill - that will set a goal of bringing the nation's largest transit systems into a state of good repair. According to a study requested by Durbin and released today by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), 1/3 of the facilities, stations and vehicles used in the seven largest rail transit systems - Chicago, Boston, … Continue Reading
April 29, 2009
The Confirmation of Joseph Szabo
Delivered on the floor of the United States Senate Mr. President, I would like to congratulate Mr. Joseph Szabo on his confirmation as the next Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. Joe Szabo has made a significant contribution to my State of Illinois, and I believe he is going to bring great success to the Department of Transportation. Joe Szabo understands better than most the long days, unpredictable schedules, and sometimes hazardous working conditions that come … Continue Reading
April 29, 2009
Durbin: Senate Confirms Illinois' Szabo and Rivkin for DOT Positions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the Senate approval of Joseph Szabo to be the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Bob Rivkin to be the Department of Transportation General Counsel. "Joe Szabo has a long and distinguished career as an advocate for sound rail transportation policy," said Durbin. "He now brings his passion for the railroad industry and his experience with rail labor to the national stage. I am … Continue Reading
April 17, 2009
Durbin Announces $49.4 Million in Recovery Act Funding for EJ&E Bridge
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded $49.4 million in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to improve the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern (EJ&E) Bridge on the Illinois River near Morris, Illinois. On March 12, 2009, Durbin sent a letter to the Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard requesting that the EJ&E Bridge reconstruction project be considered for Recovery Act … Continue Reading
April 16, 2009
Durbin: Midwest is Well Positioned to Utilize High Speed Rail Funding in President's Plan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood for identifying the Chicago Hub Network as a potential recipient of federal funding under their new vision for high speed rail in America. Their strategic plan identifies $8 billion available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for high speed rail and an additional $1 billion per year for five years … Continue Reading
April 15, 2009
Durbin Announces $6.3 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Greater Peoria Regional Airport
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $6.3 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to construct a new terminal facility at Greater Peoria Regional Airport. "Construction of a new terminal facility will put Illinoisans to work immediately on a project that will contribute to the long term ability of the Peoria Airport to serve travelers safely and … Continue Reading
April 09, 2009
Durbin and Illinois Delegation Ask DOT to Support Revival of Illinois Train Car Industry
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today led the Illinois Congressional Delegation in asking the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, to support their effort to revive the passenger rail car manufacturing industry in Illinois. The Department of Transportation recently announced that $90.8 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been committed to rehabilitating train cars in the United States and returning them to service - the … Continue Reading
April 03, 2009
Durbin and Midwest Senators Urge President to Consider Recovery Act Funding for Midwest Rail
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today led a group of Senators from Midwestern states in urging President Barack Obama to consider investing funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in rail corridors in the Midwest. The Recovery Act designates $8 billion to high speed passenger rail - a significant investment which is 17 times more funding than the federal government has invested over the last 10 years combined. "We believe the Midwest … Continue Reading
April 03, 2009
Durbin Announces Over $4 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Illinois Airports
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded $4,238,655 in grants to Illinois airports. Today's funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will create jobs in Illinois and strengthen the region's infrastructure to serve passengers safely and efficiently. • Springfield Airport Authority: $2,448,855 in funding to reconstruct a ramp at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport. This project … Continue Reading
April 01, 2009
Durbin: Secretary LaHood Says Illinois Ahead in Obligating Highway Funding
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a meeting with Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced that Illinois is well ahead of most other states when it comes to putting highway dollars to work. So far under President Obama's Recovery Plan, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has approved the state's plan to spend $629 million on 243 projects. In all, Illinois has $935 million … Continue Reading
March 25, 2009
Durbin Commends Amtrak Decision to Commit $80 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Illinois Rail
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended Amtrak's decision to commit $80 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Illinois to modernize Amtrak's repair shops and improve accessibility and security at Amtrak stations and facilities in the state. Earlier today, Amtrak announced the recipients of $1.3 billion in Recovery Act funding for rail projects nationwide. The announcement also includes $90.8 million to … Continue Reading
March 19, 2009
Durbin Announces Nearly $10 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Illinois Airports
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded $9,731,580 in grants to airports in Rockford, Decatur and the Quad Cities. Today's funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will create jobs in Illinois and strengthen the region's infrastructure to serve passengers safely and efficiently. • Greater Rockford Airport Authority: $1,052,632 in funding to expand a terminal building at … Continue Reading
March 18, 2009
Durbin Meets with Quad City Development Group to Discuss Regional Priorities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with fifty-five community leaders from the Quad Cities to discuss their regional priorities as part of the Quad City Development Group (QCDG) trip to Washington. "The Quad City Development Group does a great job of coming together to promote a unified agenda for the entire region," said Durbin. "Their record with the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), fighting for the Rock Island Arsenal was excellent. Now … Continue Reading
March 18, 2009
Durbin Praises Nomination of Joe Szabo for Federal Railroad Administrator
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) praised President Obama's choice of Joseph Szabo to be the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), U.S. Department of Transportation. "Joe Szabo is uniquely qualified to serve as the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration," said Durbin. "Five generations of his family have worked on the railroad and he has worked as a yard switchman, road trainman and commuter passenger conductor. Joe has a long and … Continue Reading
March 18, 2009
Durbin Announces More Than $12 Million in Stimulus Funding for Chicago O'Hare Airport
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $12,294,387 in funding to the city of Chicago for O'Hare International Airport. Today's funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be used to rehabilitate an already existing runway at the airport in order to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration's annual runway inspections. "Rehabilitation of this runway at will put … Continue Reading
March 10, 2009
Congress Gives Approval to Nearly $230 Million in Funding for Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the Omnibus Appropriations Act that was approved today by Congress includes $229,727,154 in funding for Illinois projects. SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS: CHICAGO TRANSIT ($36 MILLION): Today's legislation includes over $36 million in funding to create a new transit line, the Circle line, in Chicago and expand transit service along the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) … Continue Reading