Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Jobs and the Economy
Durbin, Hawley Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Protect Employees When Businesses File For Bankruptcy
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today introduced the Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act. The bipartisan legislation would correct abuses of the bankruptcy process that deprive employees and retirees of their hard-earned wages, benefits, and retirement savings. As businesses’ bankruptcy filings have increased, jobs, pen… Continue Reading
10.11.24
Durbin Calls On Stellantis To Uphold Its End Of The Deal To Reopen Belvidere Plant
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement ahead of United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain’s visit to Belvidere, Illinois, and as UAW calls on Stellantis to uphold its end of the deal to restart the Belvidere Assembly Plant and add on an electric vehicle battery plant to the facility: “Last year, the Belvidere Assembly Plant was idled and more than 1,000 people were out of work. But thanks to direct investment from the Biden-Harris … Continue Reading
08.01.24
Durbin Statement On Senate Republicans Voting Against The Tax Relief For American Families And Workers Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted against the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. The bill expands the Child Tax Credit (CTC), restores certain business tax breaks that help small businesses, and increases subsidies for affordable housing and disaster assistance. Earlier this year, this legislation passed the House of Representatives on a large bipartisan basis, 357-70. “As cost… Continue Reading
07.11.24
Durbin, Duckworth, Foster, Sorensen Announce $334.7 Million In Federal Funding For Retooling Of Stellantis Plant In Belvidere
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11) and Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding Stellantis $334,763,050 in Domestic Auto Manufacturing Conversion Grant program funds to assist in the reopening of the Belvidere Assembly Plant and in the construction of the plant’s new electric vehicle battery production facility. Stellantis has pledged to… Continue Reading
09.14.22
Durbin Meets with Illinois Manufacturers Association
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) to discuss opportunities for electric vehicle production in Illinois, the CHIPS and Science Act, which will help relieve supply chain issues, and the economy. Durbin also secured key priorities in the Inflation Reduction Act that will benefit the more than 550,000 manufacturing workers in Illinois. "I appreciate the opportunity to hear firsthand about the concerns and priorities… Continue Reading
09.08.22
Durbin: Democrats Are Rebuilding America And Rewarding American Workers
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) highlighted how the legislative accomplishments of Congressional Democrats and President Biden are improving the lives of Americans and boosting our economy. Durbin began his speech by highlighting the CHIPS and Science Act, critical legislation for our economy and national security that provides billions to expand our domestic semiconductor manufacturing and scientific research capabilities. He also… Continue Reading
09.02.22
Durbin Visits Local Farm To Discuss Impact Of Inflation Reduction Act On Illinois Agriculture Industry
CARBONDALE - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today visited a local farm to discuss the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act on the Illinois agriculture industry. "Illinois' agriculture industry is not immune to climate change, with droughts in some parts of the state and flooding in others," said Durbin. "These weather changes are not exclusive to Illinois-they're a global issue. Congress designed the Inflation Reduct… Continue Reading
08.10.22
Durbin, Duckworth Secure Key Illinois Priorities In Senate-Passed Inflation Reduction Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) secured key provisions for Illinois in the Senate-passed Inflation Reduction Act. These priorities include investing in domestic energy production and manufacturing right here in the U.S., reducing carbon emissions by roughly 40 percent by 2030, investing in clean energy tax credits, lowering prescription drugs, extending the Affordable Care Act subsidies, and more. "The Inflation Reduction Act is… Continue Reading
08.07.22
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of The Inflation Reduction Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act, groundbreaking legislation that will fight inflation, make drug prices more affordable, reduce costs, and make the nation's largest investment in our share of the climate fight ever: "Senate Democrats have heard the American people: do something to fight inflation, lower prescription drug prices, and combat the climate crisis. Today's histori… Continue Reading
08.06.22
Durbin Urges Colleagues To Pass The Historic Inflation Reduction Act
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) urged his colleagues to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, historic legislation that will lower health care costs, combat climate change, reduce the federal deficit, and fight inflation. Durbin began his speech by highlighting the various bills the Senate has passed in the last six weeks-thanks to Senate Democrat's leadership. On Tuesday, the Senate passed the Honoring Our PACT Act, legislation that … Continue Reading
06.14.22
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Statement On Caterpillar Decision To Move Headquarters From Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today released the following statement regarding Caterpillar's plans to move its headquarters from the Chicago area to Texas after nearly 100 years: "Caterpillar's surprise decision to move its headquarters from Illinois after nearly 100 years is extremely disappointing. While in terms of jobs impact for Illinois, this transition will only directly aff… Continue Reading
06.08.22
Durbin, Grassley, Whitehouse, Cornyn Bill To Help Small Businesses & Families In Bankruptcy Heads To President Biden's Desk
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and John Cornyn (R-TX), applauded passage of their bipartisan legislation to help small businesses and individuals stay afloat during bankruptcy in the House of Representatives last night. The bill, which cleared the House on a vote of 392-21, was already passed unani… Continue Reading
05.19.22
Durbin Statement On Failed Vote To Provide Relief To Small Businesses
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate failed to pass the Small Business COVID Relief Act, legislation that would provide $48 billion in relief to restaurants and other small businesses: "Illinois small businesses, including restaurants, are the lifeblood of our communities. In the face of an unprecedented pandemic, Illinois small businesses showed resilience while Democrats worked persistently to provide them with the a… Continue Reading
05.09.22
In Speech On The Senate Floor, Durbin Highlights Impact Of American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law In Creating American Jobs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor praising the Biden Administration for the uptick in American jobs shown in the April 2022 jobs report and the unemployment rate of 3.6 percent, which reflects pre-pandemic levels. During his remarks, Durbin highlighted the efforts of Congressional Democrats and President Biden in passing the American Rescue Plan to provide relief to families and small businesses and Democrats' leadership succes… Continue Reading
05.05.22
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Boeing Decision To Move Headquarters From Chicago
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding Boeing's plans to move its headquarters from Chicago to Washington, D.C.: "Boeing's decision to leave Illinois is incredibly disappointing-every level of government in our state has worked to make Chicago and Illinois the perfect home for Boeing's headquarters for the past 20 years. We are working together to ensure Boeing leadership both understand… Continue Reading
04.27.22
Durbin Meets With Illinois Restaurant Association
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Restaurant Association to discuss pressing issues facing the state's restaurant industry. During the meeting, Durbin also spoke about the need for Congress to pass immigration reform, as immigrants play a crucial role in keeping the hospitality industry running. Durbin went on to express his support for replenishing the Small Business Administration's Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), which g… Continue Reading
04.26.22
Durbin Discusses Jobs Program & Appropriation Funding With Secretary Of Labor Marty Walsh
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Marty Walsh. During their meeting, Durbin and Walsh discussed the DOL Fiscal Year 2023 budget, which totals $14.6 billion. The funds would go toward Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, Reentry Employment Opportunities, apprenticeship grants, Job Corps, YouthBuild, and more. Durbin and Walsh also discussed health care workforce shortages that have been ma… Continue Reading
03.31.22
Durbin Joins Brown To Call On Regulators To Focus On Lending To Main Street
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in leading their colleagues in a letter to the Federal Reserve Board, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, National Credit Union Administration, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, urging them to work with banks and credit unions to ensure small businesses, especially those owned by people of color, women, and veterans, have access to safe and sound credit as Main Street recovers from t… Continue Reading
03.17.22
Durbin Talks Financial Security With Illinois Comptroller
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza about the state's unemployment insurance trust fund to ensure residents continue to have access to the program as Illinois recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. During their meeting, Durbin and Mendoza discussed his legislation, the Continued Waiver of Interest on State Unemployment Loans during the Pandemic Act, which would retroactively extend the waiver of interest payments on federal u… Continue Reading
03.14.22
Durbin Discusses Retirement Security With Illinois State Treasurer
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs about the state of retirement and financial security in Illinois. During their meeting, Durbin received an update from Frerichs about Illinois Secure Choice, a state-facilitated retirement program that helps Illinois employers provide their workers with access to a retirement savings vehicle. Durbin and Frerichs also discussed the ABLE Age Adjustment Act as a possible avenue to offer m… Continue Reading