Press Releases
Durbin Meets With Rock Island County State’s Attorney Dora Villarreal
ROCK ISLAND - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with Rock Island County State's Attorney, Dora Villarreal, and other local attorneys to discuss criminal justice issues. During the meeting, they discussed mental health resources for kids who have witnessed traumatic events, support for restorative justice initiatives, and Durbin's efforts to protect kids online and combat child sex abuse material (CSAM). "I'm grateful to Rock Island … Continue Reading
June 26, 2023
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $1 Billion in Federal Funding for Affordable, Reliable High-Speed Internet Infrastructure in Illinois
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive $1,040,420,751 in federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This funding will help to deploy affordable, reliable high-speed internet infrastructure to help close the digital divide across Illinois. Today's announcement is part of more than $42 billion announced nationwide to expand high-speed … Continue Reading
June 26, 2023
Durbin Celebrates Amtrak’s Lincoln Service Schedule Changes
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Chicago Union Station to highlight schedule changes for Lincoln Service trains, which begin today following the successful implementation of the Chicago-to-St. Louis high-speed rail project. The schedule changes for Lincoln Service trains will enable passenger rail service to reach 110 mph. With this new high-speed schedule, passengers will see their travel time reduced by 15 minutes from 90 mph runtimes and 30 minutes from 79 mph … Continue Reading
June 23, 2023
Durbin & Graham Continue To Press The Biden Administration To Support The ICC’s Investigation Into Atrocities In Ukraine
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today sent a letter to President Joe Biden once again urging his Administration to support the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigation into the atrocities committed in Ukraine. Durbin and Graham previously wrote to President Biden in March to emphasize … Continue Reading
June 23, 2023
Durbin, Duckworth Join Senate Dem Caucus To Introduce Resolution Recognizing June As LGBTQ Pride Month
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined their Senate Democratic Caucus colleagues to introduce a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. The Senators' resolution highlights the contributions LGBTQ+ Americans have made to our country, notes several major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBTQ+ Americans, and resolves to continue efforts to achieve full … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Senate Passes Durbin, Duckworth Resolution Marking One Year Anniversary Of July 4th Mass Shooting In Highland Park
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) expressing the condolences of the Senate and honoring the memory of the victims on the first anniversary of the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, on July 4, 2022. Specifically, the Senators' resolution: 1) Expresses sincere condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of Katie … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Durbin Meets With Greater Springfield Chamber Of Commerce
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce to discuss local priorities, including economic development, transportation improvements through the Springfield Rail Improvements Project, and education initiatives at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and Lincoln Land Community College. "The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and its members are an important backbone of our economy in Southern Illinois. … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Durbin Statement On Failed Republican Effort To Weaken The National Firearms Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted against a Republican-sponsored Congressional Review Act resolution to repeal a vital gun safety regulation under the National Firearms Act. Reversing this common sense provision would have weakened the regulation of stabilizing braces that can convert pistols into short-barreled rifles and that have been used in multiple recent mass shootings. The resolution failed 49-50. Before … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
In Speech On The Senate Floor, Durbin Defends The Rights Of LGBTQ+ Americans
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today celebrated the historic progress made in protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans. He also called on his colleagues to remain steadfast in defending these rights against a tidal wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being introduced across the country, particularly targeting transgender youth. "This weekend, cities around the globe, including Chicago, will be … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Durbin: It’s Now Up To Congress To Protect Women And Health Care Providers From The Results Of The Disastrous Dobbs Ruling
WASHINGTON - Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor about the dangerous consequences for women and the doctors who care for them post-Dobbs. Two months ago, Durbin held a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "The Assault on Reproductive Rights in a Post-Dobbs America." Durbin said, "We had … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
ICYMI: Durbin Vows Action On Supreme Court Ethics Legislation In Senate Judiciary Committee
WASHINGTON - In case you missed it, the Washington Post highlighted the announcement by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, to hold a markup on Supreme Court ethics legislation after the July 4threcess. Key quotes: "Scrutiny of the Supreme Court intensified Wednesday after Justice Samuel A. … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Durbin Meets With Grain And Feed Association Of Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today met with the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois. During the meeting, they discussed the importance of transportation infrastructure, trade, and workforce needs in keeping Illinois agriculture strong. They also thanked Durbin for his work in securing federal funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve Illinois' locks and dams. … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
During Pride Month, Durbin & Duckworth Join Merkley, Baldwin, Booker To Introduce The Equality Act
WASHINGTON - Despite significant steps forward, LGBTQ+ Americans around the country are facing an uptick in discrimination and dangerous state-sponsored legislation. To combat these hateful actions, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) to introduce the bicameral Equality Act. The Equality Act is historic, comprehensive … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Durbin Statement On Confirmation Of 100th District Court Judge During The Biden Administration
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Natasha Merle to be a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, marking 100 district court judges confirmed during the Biden administration. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding this milestone: "With the confirmation of Natasha Merle to the Eastern District of New York, the Senate has now confirmed 100 district court judges during … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Durbin Meets With BOP Director Peters
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with Colette Peters, Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), to receive an update on the use of solitary confinement in federal facilities. They also discussed updates at the United States Penitentiary Thomson (USP Thomson). In February, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a report on the use of solitary confinement. The report showed a troubling trajectory for the number … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Durbin, Murphy, Welch, Coons Introduce Resolution Recognizing Tunisia’s Leadership In The Arab Spring & Calling Out Recent Democratic Backsliding
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Chris Coons (D-DE) today introduced a resolution recognizing Tunisia's leadership in the Arab Spring and expressing support for upholding its democratic principles and norms. Under the country's current President Kais Saied, Tunisia has seen a recent backslide of the democratic gains made in the years following the Arab Spring. This includes a notable increase in arrests … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
In Conjunction With Pride Month, Durbin Questions Witnesses At Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Defending The Rights Of LGBTQ+ Americans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Protecting Pride: Defending the Civil Rights of LGBTQ+ Americans." The hearing celebrated the historic progress made in protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans. It also served as a call to remain steadfast in defending these rights against a tidal wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being introduced across the … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Following Propublica Report Regarding Justice Alito, Durbin & Whitehouse Announce Markup In Senate Judiciary Committee On Supreme Court Ethics Reform Legislation During Next Work Period
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, today released the following statement regarding aProPublica report that alleges that Justice Samuel Alito accepted and failed to disclose a luxury fishing vacation with GOP billionaire Paul Singer who later had cases before the Court: "The … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
In Conjunction With Pride Month, Durbin Delivers Opening Statement At Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Defending The Rights Of LGBTQ+ Americans
WASHINGTON - 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 hearing entitled, "Protecting Pride: Defending the Civil Rights of LGBTQ+ Americans." The hearing will celebrate historic progress made in protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans. It will also serve as a call to remain steadfast in defending these rights against a tidal wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being introduced … Continue Reading
June 20, 2023
Senate Confirms Julie Rikelman To The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The First Circuit
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Julie Rikelman to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Ms. Rikelman's confirmation: "Julie Rikelman is a highly skilled litigator who has almost 25 years of experience in private practice, as in-house counsel, and in public interest law. She's worked on a wide range of matters at both the trial and appellate … Continue Reading