Press Releases
Durbin: Defense Appropriations Bill Invests in Groundbreaking Research & Protects Illinois Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, announced today that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Bill - which provides $572.8 billion in funding for the military and intelligence community, our national security requirements and the daily needs of over two million active duty and reserve servicemembers - funds Illinois defense installations and protects important Illinois priorities. The legislation was … Continue Reading
12.15.15
Durbin Appeals to Pope Francis Regarding Dominican Cardinal's Hostile Statements Against Openly Gay U.S. Ambassador
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to Pope Francis regarding Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and the United States Ambassador to that country, Wally Brewster. Cardinal Rodriguez has been openly hostile in public remarks and even helped organize a protest against Ambassador Brewster, who is openly gay. "The Church's teachings on gay marriage are well known, but the Church also teaches us to … Continue Reading
12.14.15
Durbin: Anti-Muslim Bigotry Has No Place in America
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After attending an interfaith peace vigil last night at the Islamic Society of Springfield, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate Floor today to commend Springfield's faith and community leaders for joining together to speak out against inflammatory rhetoric directed at refugees and Muslims. In his remarks, Durbin also condemned a recent increase in hate crimes and other anti-Muslim bigotry and praised his Senate colleague, U.S. Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) for sh… Continue Reading
12.14.15
Durbin Pays Tribute to Fallen Chicago Firefighter, Daniel Capuano, On Senate Floor
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate Floor today to honor the service and sacrifice of Chicago Firefighter Daniel Capuano, who died early this morning in a warehouse fire on the South Side of Chicago. "Daniel Capuano went to work this morning, just like he has done every day for the past fifteen years - ready to fight fires and save lives. Not many people can say they've woken up every day ready to sacrifice their life to protect their community. But thi… Continue Reading
12.14.15
Durbin Leads Illinois Members in Registering Concern with Oversight Agency Over Proposed Freight Merger
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to a proposed merger between two of Illinois' rail operators - Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) led a letter to the Surface Transportation Board urging the agency to carefully consider the potential negative impact of the proposal on Illinois' freight network. In their letter, the Members requested careful review of the possible effects of CP's proposed acquisition of NS on Illinois communities … Continue Reading
12.14.15
Durbin: Failed Westwood College Should Not Be Allowed to Sell Campuses to Other For-Profit College Systems Under Investigation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Department of Education to prevent failed Westwood College campuses - including four in Illinois - from being sold to other for-profit college systems that are under investigation by local, state or federal agencies. Recently, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan settled a lawsuit with the company for $15 million after finding that Westwood was lying to students about its criminal justice program. "As I understand… Continue Reading
12.13.15
Durbin Statement on Historic Paris Climate Agreement
SPRINGFIELD-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the President announced that a historic deal to combat climate change had been reached tonight in Paris: This is a momentous agreement for all of us here on planet Earth, but even more importantly for our children and our children's children. The threats posed by climate change have been linked to drought, food shortages, severe and dangerous storms, poverty, and even terrorism. Committing to reducing carbon… Continue Reading
12.11.15
Durbin Calls on Gov. Rauner to Take State Action to Close Loophole That Allows Suspected Terrorists to Buy Guns
SPRINGFIELD-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter calling on Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to take action at the state level to close a dangerous loophole in law that allows suspected terrorists to purchase guns in Illinois: "The horrific terror attacks in Paris, Colorado Springs, and San Bernardino have given new urgency to the need to close dangerous loopholes in our laws that allow would-be terrorists to buy guns. The highest priority for both the Governor and I is to kee… Continue Reading
12.11.15
Senate Approves Bill to Child-Proof Liquid Nicotine Bottles
[WASHINGON, D.C.] - The Senate last night approved a measure to require manufacturers to put child-proof caps on the small bottles of liquid nicotine available for purchase in stores across the country. It's the first time the Senate has taken up and passed a bill aimed at regulating liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes and other vaping devices. "There is a word for the toxic candy-flavored liquids found in electronic cigarettes: poison. Just this week, a study found that a chemical … Continue Reading
12.11.15
Durbin Meets with Local Education Leaders to Discuss Overhaul of No Child Left Behind
SPRINGFIELD, IL - A day after President Obama signed the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Gill, representatives from the Illinois Education Association and Illinois Federation of Teachers, and other educators to discuss the new education law that will overhaul No Child Left Behind. The Every Student Succeeds Act provides a more flexible approach to student testing and school accountability. … Continue Reading
12.09.15
Durbin Announces New Cybersucirty Team to be Headquartered in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, announced today that the Illinois National Guard will be leading a new cyber protection team. The 39-person unit will be a joint mission with the Wisconsin National Guard and headquartered in Illinois. "This new squadron gives the Illinois National Guard a leading role in supporting our national cybersecurity operations, which are critically important to our homeland securit… Continue Reading
12.09.15
Durbin Applauds Passage of Bill that Promotes Student Success & Replaces No Child Left Behind
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded Senate passage of the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act Conference Report - a bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and replace No Child Left Behind. The legislation passed the House of Representatives last week and will now go to President Obama for his signature. "This bill is more directly tied to the future prosperity of the United States than virtually any other issue we face here in Co… Continue Reading
12.08.15
Durbin Meets with Amtrak Board Member Tom Carper to Discuss Passenger Rail in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following Congressional passage of a four-year reauthorization of Amtrak, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with former Mayor of Macomb, Illinois and current member of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Tom Carper, to discuss the importance of Illinois' passenger rail network. A photo of today's meeting is available here. "As a longtime Amtrak Board Member and the former Mayor of Macomb, which sits along Amtrak's Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandburg lines, Tom Carper … Continue Reading
12.08.15
ICYMI: Durbin Challenges For-Profit Colleges to Explain Why They Account for 40% of Student Loan Defaults by Only Educate 10% of Students
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) challenged the for-profit college industry to explain how they can account for 40% of student loan defaults but only educate 10% of students and only 20% of federal student aid. "The Department of Education has developed responsible criteria for determining whether career education programs adequately prepare their students for "gainful employment" as is required by law. The Gainful Employment Rul… Continue Reading
12.08.15
Durbin: Inflammatory, Hateful Rhetoric Does Not Reflect Who We Are as Americans
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Amid statements and inflammatory rhetoric that unfairly vilify billions of Muslims, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate Floor today to call for thoughtfulness and tolerance that reflect the "fundamental values of this country." Today, Durbin was also joined by Bishop Sally Dyck of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church at a press conference to speak out against inflammatory rhetoric directed at refugees and Muslims. "I've met some… Continue Reading
12.07.15
Durbin: Congress Must Close Dangerous Loopholes to Reduce Horrific Gun Violence
[WASHINGTON, DC] - In the wake of both recent mass shooting tragedies and the daily toll of gun violence across the America, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate Floor today to call for commonsense reforms to close loopholes in gun laws. During his remarks, Durbin discussed the proliferation of crime guns trafficked into Chicago from outside the city, where less stringent gun regulations make it easier to purchase firearms. "Can't we agree - even among those people who own g… Continue Reading
12.07.15
Citing Recent Outrageous Examples, Durbin Calls on FTC to Review Sharp Spikes in Drug Pricing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a meeting today with the Chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) called on the agency to make a timely review of any reported sharp spike in drug pricing - such as a 100% or more manufacturer price increase within a short time period - to determine if any anticompetitive actions have taken place. Citing FTC's authority to review and block pharmaceutical mergers if there is risk of diminished competition, Durbin also urged Chairwo… Continue Reading
12.07.15
Durbin on DOJ Investigation: This is an Opportunity, Not a Penalty
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced a Department of Justice Civil Rights Division investigation of the Chicago Police Department (CPD)'s policies and practices. Durbin asked for the investigation Thursday in a letter that can be found HERE. The overwhelming majority of our law enforcement officers do the right thing every day, and many risk their lives doing it. This investigation shouldn't be viewed as … Continue Reading
12.06.15
Durbin Statement on President Obama's Address to the Nation
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on President Obama's address to the nation from the Oval Office: The world has witnessed acts of evil in the past several weeks, from Beirut and Paris to Colorado Springs and San Bernardino. As the President said tonight, in our darkest moments, when innocent civilians are gunned down in horrific massacres, it is how we respond, how we band together to fight terror itself that defines who we are as Americans. The t… Continue Reading
12.06.15
Durbin, Schakowsky, Quigley Urge Illinoisans to Get Covered Before ACA Enrollment Deadline
CHICAGO - With an important Affordable Care Act deadline less than two weeks away, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) and Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Region V Director Kathleen Falk today urged the remaining uninsured and those wishing to re-enroll to take action before the December 15th deadline in order to get health care coverage that starts in January. Open enrollment for 2016 coverage runs from Novem… Continue Reading