Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Justice and Civil Rights
Durbin: White House Nominates First Two to Fill Federal Judgeships in Northern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that President Obama has nominated the first two individuals to fill five pending vacancies on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois: Sharon Coleman and Gary Feinerman. "Sharon Coleman and Gary Feinerman will each bring a great depth of experience and legal ability to the bench," said Durbin. "I was honored to recommend their names to President Obama, and am pleased that he has nominated them to … Continue Reading
February 19, 2010
Durbin and Whitehouse React to Report on Torture Authorizations
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today reacted to the release of a report on the Office of Professional Responsibility's (OPR) investigation of Justice Department attorneys who provided legal advice regarding waterboarding and other abusive interrogation techniques for the Bush Administration. Whitehouse and Durbin first requested the investigation in a February 12, 2008 letter to OPR and the Office of Inspector General during the previous … Continue Reading
January 21, 2010
Durbin Statement on the Supreme Courts Decision to Overturn Campaign Finance Laws
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision to overturn a ban on corporate spending on political campaigns. "Today's decision by Supreme Court is a triumph for special interest and judicial activism at its worst. Overturning the ban on corporate spending on political campaigns opens the floodgates for the corrupting influence and the dominant hand of special interest … Continue Reading
January 06, 2010
Durbin, Quinn Statement on Recommendation to Approve Sale of Thomson Correctional Center
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today commended the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) for their 7-4 decision in favor of the closure of the Thomson Correctional Center. Senator Durbin and Governor Quinn issued the following statement: "We are pleased the bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has endorsed the sale of the Thomson Correctional … Continue Reading
December 18, 2009
Durbin Forwards New Recommendation for U.S. Marshal to White House
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today forwarded a new name to the White House for consideration when filling the U.S. Marshal position in the Northern District of Illinois - Darryl McPherson, who currently serves as a Deputy U.S. Marshall Senior Inspector. The candidate whose name was previously sent to the White House, Kenton Terrell, this week withdrew his name from active consideration due to family reasons. Durbin was able to quickly select a new name because of … Continue Reading
December 16, 2009
Durbin's Human Rights Enforcement Act Passes House, Sent to President for Signature
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A bill that would create a new human rights section at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) was passed by the House of Representatives late yesterday and has been sent to the President for his signature. The bill, the Human Rights Enforcement Act, introduced by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) was unanimously approved by the Senate last month. The legislation would combine the two offices in the Justice Department with … Continue Reading
December 15, 2009
Durbin, Quinn Praise Administration Decision to Purchase Thomson Correctional Center
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today praised the decision by the Obama Administration to proceed with the acquisition of a state of the art correctional facility in Thomson, Illinois. "Thomson Correctional Center - a high security prison - has been sitting empty for eight years. The Obama Administration has put forward a plan to make it the safest prison in America and we are pleased that they have made this … Continue Reading
December 13, 2009
Durbin: Congress Approves More Than $126 Million in Funding For Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the final Omnibus spending bill which includes $126,432,544 in funding for several Illinois projects was approved by Congress. The bill will then go to the President for his signature. SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS: CHICAGO TRANSIT ($9,304,744): Today's legislation includes over $9.3 million in funding to advance the Circle line project in Chicago; expand capacity along the Chicago Transit Authority … Continue Reading
December 11, 2009
Durbin, Quinn Reaction to Draft White House Memo on Thomson Correctional Center
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn today issued the following statement after learning of a draft internal Obama Administration memo regarding the Thomson Correctional Center. "Late this afternoon, we learned of a draft internal Obama Administration memo signaling that the Administration has narrowed its focus to the Thomson Correctional Center to serve as a federal prison. We are told that the Administration has not made … Continue Reading
December 09, 2009
Durbin: Committee Recommends More Than $126 Million in Funding for Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the final Omnibus Appropriations Act which includes $126,432,544 in funding for several Illinois projects was approved by a joint House and Senate Conference Committee of which Durbin is a member. The House and Senate are expected to take up and pass the legislation before the end of the year. The bill will then go to the President for his signature. SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS: CHICAGO TRANSIT … Continue Reading
December 07, 2009
Durbin Announces Slazinik Retained as U.S. Marshal in Illinois' Southern District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that President Obama has chosen Don Slazinik to be officially retained as U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois. Because he is currently the U.S. Marshal for that district - having been nominated and confirmed in 2002 - there is no need for him to be re-nominated and re-confirmed. Based on recommendations made by a bipartisan screening committee in the state, Durbin submitted Slazinik and two … Continue Reading
December 02, 2009
Durbin to Host Delegation Briefing on Thomson Correctional Center
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that TODAY, December 2, he will host a briefing for members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation to discuss the Thomson Correctional Center in Carroll County, Illinois as a possible site for a new federal maximum security prison. If the Thomson Correctional Center is purchased by the federal government, the seven-county area surrounding the facility is expected to experience an estimated increase in … Continue Reading
December 02, 2009
Durbin Statement Following Illinois Delegation Briefing on Thomson Correctional Center
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a briefing for members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation to discuss the Thomson Correctional Center in Carroll County, Illinois as a possible site for a new federal maximum security prison. Earlier today, top Illinois law enforcement officials - including Illinois State Police Director, Jonathan Monken, who attended today's meeting - wrote a letter to the Attorney General and the Secretary of … Continue Reading
November 20, 2009
Durbin: Participation in National Logbook Initiative Will Help Combat Meth in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the State of Illinois for working to implement a multi-state electronic tracking system to monitor sales of meth precursor chemicals and identify individuals who are illegally stockpiling those chemicals. The National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) will provide law enforcement agencies across the country with free access to an electronic log of cold and allergy medicine purchases. This state effort builds … Continue Reading
November 14, 2009
Durbin Statement on Thomson Correctional Facility
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) made the following statement regarding the potential acquisition and activation of the state correctional facility in Thomson, Illinois. "I am pleased the federal government is considering the possible acquisition of the Thomson Correctional Facility from the State of Illinois." "According to the proposal now under consideration, the Federal Bureau of Prisons would operate the facility as a maximum-security … Continue Reading
November 05, 2009
Durbin: Senate Approves $3.25 Million for Illinois Projects
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate has approved $3,250,000 for projects in the state of Illinois in the Commerce, Justice and Science spending bill. The Fiscal Year 2010 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill includes funding for the following projects in Illinois: Department of Justice • Ceasefire at the University of Illinois, … Continue Reading
October 20, 2009
Durbin: Congress Approves $1 Million for Chicago Emergency Center
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Congress has approved $1 million for upgrades to the Emergency Operations Center in Chicago. The legislation will now go to President Obama for his signature. The 2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill includes funding for the following project: • Emergency Operations System, Chicago: $1,000,000 in funding for computer systems upgrades and capital improvements to the … Continue Reading
October 15, 2009
Durbin Introduces Bill to Eliminate Sentencing Disparity Between Crack and Powder Cocaine
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), joined by Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Crime and Drugs Subcommittee Chairman Arlen Specter (D-PA), and seven other Senators, introduced legislation today to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. His bill, the Fair Sentencing Act, would refocus scarce federal resources toward large scale, violent traffickers and increase penalties for the worst drug offenders. According … Continue Reading
October 15, 2009
Durbin Meets with Attorney General to Discuss Chicago Youth Violence
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Attorney General Eric Holder to discuss the federal, state and local effort to combat youth violence in Chicago. Holder briefed Durbin on the outcome of last week's meeting with Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. They also discussed the role the federal government can play in assisting the state and local effort including: increasing funding for community-based violence … Continue Reading
October 14, 2009
Durbin Expands Bipartisan Screening Committee; Calls for Applications for Two Vacant Federal Judgeships in Central Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced the names of two new members to serve on a bipartisan screening committee to assist in selecting Federal District Court Judges for the Central District of Illinois. Durbin has asked small business owner and attorney, J. Victor Malkovich of Champaign and Macon County Assistant State's Attorney, Ruth Waller to serve on the Central Illinois Judicial Screening Panel. There are two federal judgeships in central Illinois that are … Continue Reading