05.17.16

Durbin Announces Measures to Address Massive Delays at Chicago Airport Security Lines

O’Hare to receive 58 additional security officers and four additional canine units

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today taped a video statement after announcing that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will commit 58 additional security officers and 4 additional canine units to Chicago O’Hare International Airport to address massive delays at airport security lines.
  
Video of Durbin’s statement can be accessed on YouTube HERE.
  
Audio of Durbin’s statement can be accessed HERE.
  
Televisions stations using FTP can access his remarks in in high definition HERE and in standard definition HERE.
  
Earlier today, Durbin released the following statement after a call with DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson: “As summer approaches, the number of people traveling increases dramatically—that means long lines at airport security checkpoints. Protecting the safety of passengers remains priority number one, but poor planning and inadequate funding have led to huge lines and unreasonable delays at airports in Chicago and across the country. We need more security officers and more screening lines open and running to bring down wait times, and Secretary Johnson assured me that DHS and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are moving quickly to hire and train additional security officers. They will send 58 new security officers and four additional bomb-sniffing canine teams to O’Hare immediately. More travelers signing up for the TSA’s Pre-Check program will also help shorten the regular security lines, and I pressed Secretary Johnson to improve and expedite the enrollment process for that program. Airlines must also encourage more travelers to check bags instead of hauling them through the main security lines, and I’ll be calling on them to waive their checked baggage fees during these peak travel months. I will convene a meeting with state and local officials and the airlines this week to ensure everyone is on the same page about fixing this problem right now.”