Durbin Announces $1.3 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Eaton Water District in Annapolis

[WASHINGTON, D.C] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a $1,375,000 loan with funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Eaton Water District in Annapolis, Illinois. Today's funding announcement is part of a nationwide announcement of $125 million in funding for water and environmental projects that will help provide safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment systems … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $5.9 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Illinois Floodplain Easement

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $5,946,931 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for floodplain easement in Illinois. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s floodplain easement program allows for the acquisition of private, local government or state owned lands that have been damaged by flooding at least once in the last 12 months or twice in the past 10 years. Once the easements have been … Continue Reading

Durbin: Congress Approves $34.6 Million to Prevent Spread of Emerald Ash Borer

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Congress has approved $34,625,000 for nationwide efforts to combat and prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Additionally, the Omnibus Appropriations Act includes special language directing the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to work collaboratively with the City of Chicago to manage the infestation and provide appropriate resources. "Emerald … Continue Reading

Congress Gives Approval to Nearly $230 Million in Funding for Illinois Projects

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the Omnibus Appropriations Act that was approved today by Congress includes $229,727,154 in funding for Illinois projects. SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS: CHICAGO TRANSIT ($36 MILLION): Today's legislation includes over $36 million in funding to create a new transit line, the Circle line, in Chicago and expand transit service along the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) … Continue Reading

Mine Safety Enforcement, Reporting, and Training Act

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Mine Safety Enforcement, Reporting, and Training Act. This bill will raise the minimum fine for safety violations from $60 to $500, require coal mine operators to pay fines up front, require a public yearly report of fine payments, and double funding for education and training grants to States from $10 million to $20 million. The recent tragic events in West Virginia and Kentucky have captured the Nation's attention and exposed the serious … Continue Reading