Congress—on a bipartisan basis and with enhanced transparency and accountability—restored its authority to include Congressionally Directed Spending in the FY27 federal appropriations process.  All congressionally-directed spending requests must comply with Senate Rule XLIV, which requires rigorous procedures for transparency and accountability, as well as the Senate Appropriation Committee’s requirements.

Senator Durbin has submitted the following Illinois initiatives to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. This list will be updated on a rolling basis as requests are submitted to the Committee. Please note that submission of an initiative does NOT guarantee that it will receive funding. 

In compliance with Senate Rule XLIV and Committee requirements, Senator Durbin has certified that he, his spouse, and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the initiatives he has requested.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 

Capital Improvements, Peoria, Illinois. $1.5 million to the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), a federal laboratory that has been responsible for countless agriculture, food safety, environmental, and health care discoveries since its inception, for necessary modernizations to the federal buildings that house laboratories of the Agricultural Research Service. These improvements include the replacement of the fire alarm system, components of which are no longer supported by the manufacturer, posing a life safety issue at the facility.

New Library Project, Greenville, Illinois. $1 million to the Greenville Public Library for construction of a new library. This facility will provide community access to technology access, educational materials, and public meeting space in an ADA accessible building.

Hospital Improvements, Benton, Illinois. $385,000 for the Franklin Hospital District to expand its current emergency room space to accommodate increased nursing station space and a larger trauma room. The renovations would provide a separate entrance for walk-in patients.

Information Technology Upgrades, Sparta, Illinois. $1 million to provide essential improvements in the electronic records system at Sparta Community Hospital District. Such upgrades will streamline patient care and improve security of hospital records.

Infrastructure Improvements, Carlinville, Illinois. $450,000 to Blackburn University for campus initiatives to increase safety and accessibility to students, faculty, and visitors, including replacement of sidewalks and entryways and updated interior and exterior lighting.

Medical Facility Expansion, Havana, Illinois. $1 million to Mason District Hospital for construction of a provider building on the medical campus. This facility will improve care coordination and increase access to services.

Medical Technology Upgrades, Pittsfield, Illinois. $262,000 to the Blessing Care Corporation for essential technological upgrades and renovations at Illini Community Hospital to provide 3D mammography imaging and renovation of the mammography screening facilities.

Rural Education Initiative, Statewide, Illinois. $400,000 to the Illinois Literacy Foundation to expand an online adult education program in more than 200 rural library branches across Illinois. This program will enable participants to complete their high school education.