Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $42.4 Million In DOT Raise Grant Funds for Illinois Projects
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive $42,454,810 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant funding for five Illinois-based transportation projects, ranging from planning freight rail connection to constructing electric vehicle charging stations and designing pedestrian trails. “Today’s funding is a major investm… Continue Reading
06.26.24
Durbin, Duckworth, Budzinski Announce $21 Million For Multimodal Transportation Improvements In Edwardsville
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 that Edwardsville, Illinois will receive $21,241,730 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant funding for the Goshen Road and Liberty Trail Multimodal Transportation Improvements. “I’m pleased to see more federal funding coming home to Illinois to improv… Continue Reading
06.05.24
Durbin, Rounds Introduce Legislation To Protect Rural Postal Processing Facilities
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) today introduced legislation that would require the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to protect mail processing centers in rural communities by mandating a study on the consequences of downsizing or closing these facilities, which is already required before the closure of a storefront post office, but not for Processing and Distribution Centers (P&DCs). The Postal Processing Protection Act would ensure t… Continue Reading
06.04.24
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $11 Million In Federal Funding For Multiuse Cycling Trail In Energy, Illinois
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $11.145 million in federal funding to the Crab Orchard Greenway Multimodal Network at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The grant, funded through the Fiscal Year 2023 National Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program, will go toward supporting the construction of 12 miles of a multiuse cycling trail near … Continue Reading
05.30.24
Durbin, Duckworth Announce That Illinois School Districts Will Receive $48.4 Million In Rebates For EPA Clean School Bus Program
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced that 28 Illinois school districts will receive significant rebates, a combined total of more than $48 million, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2023 Clean School Bus Program (CSBP) rebate competition. The program, a $5 billion effort established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, aims to convert the nation’s school bus fleets to low- or zero-emission v… Continue Reading
05.29.24
Durbin Discusses Impact Of FAA Reauthorization Act On Decatur Airport And Additional Federal Funding For Local Infrastructure Projects
DECATUR – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe to discuss the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024, which was recently signed into law by President Biden. The legislation, among other things, provides increased investment for Essential Air Service (EAS) program airports, like Decatur Airport. The EAS program was established to ensure that smaller communities maintain a sufficient level of air service. Durbin also discussed additional federa… Continue Reading
05.24.24
Durbin Secures Illinois Priorities In Senate's Committee Passed Water Resources Development Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Environmental Justice Caucus, today announced that the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) advanced the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) out of Committee with several key provisions he secured for Illinois. These provisions – ranging from adjusting the cost share for the Brandon Road Project to improving water infrastructure in Cahokia Heights, Illinois – aim to accelerate and fund m… Continue Reading
05.08.24
Durbin Meets with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District's (MWRD) leadership to discuss the department’s ongoing projects and top priorities. In their meeting, Durbin received an update on the design and construction of Thornton Reservoir, which was built to reduce chronic flooding. In Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), Durbin secured a $20 million for MWRD to address excessive flooding in historically underserved communities in the Chicagoland area… Continue Reading
03.15.23
Durbin, Duckworth, Krishnamoorthi, Ramirez Statement on Surface Transportation Board's Decision To Approve Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern Merger
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08) and Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03) today released the following statement regarding the U.S. Surface Transportation Board's (STB) decision to allow Canadian Pacific (CP) to acquire Kansas City Southern (KCS): "We are deeply disappointed that the Surface Transportation Board has sided with corporations over our constituents in the Chicago region. As we h… Continue Reading
09.08.22
Durbin Meets With Amtrak Board Of Directors Nominee And Mayor Of Normal, Illinois, Chris Koos
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Normal, Illinois, Mayor Chris Koos during his visit to Washington for his nomination hearing, in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, for the Amtrak Board of Directors. As a result of Durbin's recommendation, President Biden nominated Mayor Koos to the Amtrak Board earlier this year. "Mayor Koos has long been a powerful voice in Illinois' transportation industry. He understands the importance of … Continue Reading
09.08.22
Durbin Meets With Springfield Community Leaders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a resident of Springfield, Illinois, today met with Springfield community leaders, including Mayor Jim Langfelder, to discuss the city's upcoming infrastructure projects. During their meeting, Durbin received an update about the Springfield Rail Improvement Project (SRIP), which will alleviate rail congestion in the city by building new underpasses and overpasses at critical rail crossings, and the construction of the Springfield-Sangamo… Continue Reading
08.17.22
Durbin, Duckworth, Lightfoot Announce $3 Million FRA Grant For Chicago Union Station
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced that Chicago Union Station will receive $3,000,000 in federal funding, awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration, to complete the design process for planned renovations to the train station's concourse level, which serves Amtrak and Metra passengers. "Chicago Union Station has been a central transportation hub in the Midwest since its original construction in 1925. Bu… Continue Reading
08.12.22
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $71 Million In Funding For Illinois Transit Systems From Department Of Transportation's Low-No And Buses And Bus Facilities Grant Programs
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $71,009,648 in grant funding awarded to Illinois transit systems by the Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Low-No and Buses and Bus Facilities Grant Programs. The Low-No Program will support the transition of the nation's transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy efficient transit vehicles by providing funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero… Continue Reading
08.10.22
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $83.5 Million In Funding For Illinois From Department Of Transportation's RAISE Grant Program
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $83,500,000 in grant funding awarded to Illinois communities by the Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program to help communities around the country carry out infrastructure and transportation projects with significant local or regional impact. "Investments in rebuilding and modernizing Illinois' infrastr… Continue Reading
07.28.22
Durbin Secures Key Illinois Priorities In Water Resources Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured several Illinois provisions in the Senate-passed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). These provisions include an increase in the federal cost share for the Brandon Road Lock and Dam Project to 90 percent that will save Illinois tens of millions in project costs. The project will construct a new engineered channel at Joliet's Brandon Road Lock, which will be used to test and dep… Continue Reading
07.28.22
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $519,000 In Funding For Rural EMS Agencies
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $518,916 in funding for several rural fire and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in Illinois. The funding, which was created through Durbin's Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act, will go toward supporting EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment. "Across Illinois, rural EMS agencies are first o… Continue Reading
07.27.22
Durbin: With The CHIPS And Science Act, We Can Kick-Start A New Generation Of Discovery
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) applauded the Senate passage of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, critical legislation for our economy and national security that provides billions to boost our domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. During his speech, Durbin highlighted the need to increase domestic microchip production, as microchips are used in everything from refrigerators to smartphones to cars. In 1990, America … Continue Reading
07.27.22
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of Bipartisan CHIPS And Science Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, critical legislation for our economy and national security that provides billions to boost our domestic semiconductor manufacturing and scientific research capabilities: "America needs to be at the forefront of innovation and scientific research once again. This once-in-a-generation, bipartisan bill makes strategic investments to boost … Continue Reading
07.25.22
Durbin, Duckworth, Krishnamoorthi, Newman Urge Surface Transportation Board To Oppose Canadian Pacific And Kansas City Southern Rail Merger
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-8) and Marie Newman (D-IL-3) today sent a letter to Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Martin Oberman urging the STB to oppose the Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) railroad merger as proposed because of concerns about noise pollution, blocked crossings, safety conditions, and commuter rail delays. "We write to express our… Continue Reading
07.22.22
Durbin Announces $1 Million For Chicago River Habitat Restoration And Conservation Efforts
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined officials from the Shedd Aquarium and Chicago Park District to announce $1 million in new federal funding he secured in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Omnibus appropriations bill to address habitat restoration and conservation needs in the polluted ecosystem on the South Branch of the Chicago River-commonly known as "Bubbly Creek." "For more than 100 years, this area was a dumping ground for animal waste, industrial waste, and sewage from the … Continue Reading