Press Releases
Durbin Meets With Democratic Senators-Elect
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Democratic Senators-elect, including Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), to congratulate them and discuss their goals for the 119th Congress. “It’s an honor to welcome these newly-elected Senators to Washington. They each bring a unique experience in public service and new energy to our efforts to address the issues … Continue Reading
November 13, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Senate Confirmation Of U.S. Magistrate Judge Hawley To Serve As A District Court Judge For The Central District Of Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm the nomination of U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Hawley to serve as a United States District Court Judge for the Central District of Illinois: “We are pleased that the United States Senate has confirmed U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Hawley to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge for … Continue Reading
November 13, 2024
Durbin: We Must Confirm Every Possible Federal Judge In The Lame Duck Session
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged his colleagues to confirm every pending judicial nominee before the end of the 118th Congress. Thanks to Durbin, Leader Schumer, and the Biden-Harris Administration, Senate Democrats have confirmed 214 judges to lifetime positions on the federal judiciary in the last four years. Right now, there are 16 nominees pending on the Senate floor—four circuit … Continue Reading
November 13, 2024
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Gun Conversion Devices That Are Amplifying The Gun Violence Pandemic
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “How Bump Stocks and Other Conversion Devices are Amplifying the Gun Violence Epidemic.” The hearing examined how firearm conversion devices like Glock switches, auto sears, bump stocks, and pistol braces make firearms more lethal and enable evasion of commonsense gun regulations. In 2018, the Bureau of Alcohol, … Continue Reading
November 13, 2024
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Gun Conversion Devices That Are Amplifying The Gun Violence Epidemic
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “How Bump Stocks and Other Conversion Devices are Amplifying the Gun Violence Epidemic.” The hearing examined how firearm conversion devices like Glock switches, auto sears, bump stocks, and pistol braces make firearms more lethal and enable evasion of commonsense gun regulations. In 2018, the Bureau of … Continue Reading
November 13, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth Lead Delegation Letter Urging GSA To Act To Remediate Elevated Levels Of Lead And Legionella Found In Federal Buildings In Chicago, Rockford
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Danny Davis (D-IL07), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), and Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03) sent a letter to the leadership of the General Services Administration (GSA) requesting answers on how the agency … Continue Reading
November 12, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Senate Confirmation Of April Perry To Serve As A District Court Judge For The Northern District Of Ilinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm the nomination of April Perry to serve as a United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois: “We are pleased that the United States Senate has confirmed April Perry to serve as a United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. Ms. … Continue Reading
November 12, 2024
Durbin Reflects On The Senate Judiciary Committee's Historic Achievements During Biden Administration; Vows To Continue These Efforts During The Incoming Trump Administration
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, highlighted the historic achievements of the Senate Judiciary Committee over the last four years. Thanks to the leadership of President Biden, Leader Schumer, and Chair Durbin, the Senate has confirmed 213 judges, and counting, to lifetime appointments on the federal bench during the Biden-Harris Administration. The Committee has also held hearings on the issues … Continue Reading
November 12, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $192 Million To Help Illinois Families Save On Home Energy Bills
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $192,607,773 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help Illinoisans afford the rising cost of home heating bills this winter. This announcement includes funding appropriated from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Durbin and Duckworth both supported. “In the … Continue Reading
November 09, 2024
Durbin Statement On The Passing Of Billy Lawless Sr.
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on the passing of Billy Lawless Sr.: “Billy Lawless Sr. was part of a long line of Irish immigrants to Chicago who made America a better nation. In the competitive world of hospitality and restaurants, he and his children worked hard to succeed and excel in Chicago. “I came to know Billy through his passionate advocacy for immigrants. Billy found a way to strike a balance between that man from Ireland … Continue Reading
November 08, 2024
Durbin Celebrates Completion of Willard Airport Taxiway Project
SAVOY - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today attended a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of University of Illinois’ Willard Airport’s midfield taxiway realignment project. This federally funded project is part of a broader effort by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure taxiways nationwide meet the latest safety standards. “By improving airport infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for increased connectivity and reliability,” said … Continue Reading
November 07, 2024
Durbin Statement On The Outcome Of The 2024 Election
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement: “To Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz—thank you. Thank you for running a campaign filled with hope, joy, and possibility. I am sorry that we will not see your vision for America come to be. “While the Administration will change in January, my belief in the promise of this country never will. I promise to work with all of my strength each day in the Senate to look out for the most … Continue Reading
November 01, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $87 Million In Federal Funding For Illinois Rail System Improvements
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $87,078,200 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program for four rail infrastructure improvement projects across Illinois. “Illinois holds a unique position as the converging point for railroads that cross our nation,” said Durbin. “This significant federal investment will ensure our state … Continue Reading
October 30, 2024
ICYMI: Durbin Holds Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing In Chicago On Reducing Prescription Drug Costs
CHICAGO - In case you missed it, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, held a Senate Judiciary Committee field hearing in Chicago entitled “Reducing Prescription Drug Prices: How Competition Can Make Medications Affordable for Patients.” During the hearing, Durbin examined the pharmaceutical industry’s anti-competitive tactics and highlighted the success of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in addressing high prescription drug prices for Medicare … Continue Reading
October 29, 2024
Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Committee Field Hearing In Chicago On Reducing Prescription Drug Costs
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during the Senate Judiciary Committee field hearing in Chicago, Illinois, entitled “Reducing Prescription Drug Prices: How Competition Can Make Medications Affordable for Patients.” The hearing included two witness panels, including Members of Congress from Illinois and advocates for prescription drug pricing reform, to examine recent legislative successes to address … Continue Reading
October 29, 2024
Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Field Hearing In Chicago On Reducing Prescription Drug Costs
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee field hearing in Chicago, Illinois, entitled “Reducing Prescription Drug Prices: How Competition Can Make Medications Affordable for Patients.” The hearing includes two witness panels, including Members of Congress from Illinois and advocates for prescription drug pricing reform, to examine recent legislative successes to … Continue Reading
October 28, 2024
Durbin Joins Warren, Whitehouse, Warnock To Push DOJ, ED For Expanded Outreach On Discharging Student Loan Debt In Bankruptcy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) in sending a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Education (ED) commending the agencies on their progress in helping borrowers who are struggling financially to discharge their student loans in bankruptcy and asking them to continue expanding awareness of the … Continue Reading
October 25, 2024
Durbin Applauds President Biden's Formal Apology To Native Communities For Federal Government's Role In Native American Boarding Schools
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded President Biden’s formal apology for the U.S. government’s actions in establishing and running hundreds of Federal Indian Boarding Schools: “Today, President Biden is taking a major step forward in our nation’s reckoning with the deeply painful history of Native boarding school policies that caused irreparable damage to Native communities. The scars of these unjust, hateful actions—the federal government’s attempts to … Continue Reading
October 25, 2024
Durbin Applauds President Biden's Formal Apology To Native Communities For Federal Government's Role In Native American Boarding Schools
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded President Biden’s formal apology for the U.S. government’s actions in establishing and running hundreds of Federal Indian Boarding Schools: “Today, President Biden is taking a major step forward in our nation’s reckoning with the deeply painful history of Native boarding school policies that caused irreparable damage to Native communities. The scars of these unjust, hateful actions—the federal government’s attempts to … Continue Reading
October 25, 2024
Durbin, Duckworth, Budzinski, Announce $157 Million In Federal Funding For Springfield Rail Improvements Project
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) today announced $157,126,494 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the final segment of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project (SRIP). The multi-phased project is a large-scale effort supported by local, state, and federal funding designed to alleviate rail congestion in downtown Springfield by consolidating … Continue Reading