Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Jobs and the Economy
Durbin Discusses Priorities for Creating Jobs and Growing America's Middle Class
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a press conference with Senate Democratic Leadership, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) discussed Senate Democrats' commitment to creating jobs and providing economic certainty for America's middle class. Senator Durbin spoke on several issues including extending federal unemployment benefits, helping hardworking families tackle the burden of student loan debt, and raising the federal minimum wage. The first bill the Senate will consider when it returns in January will … Continue Reading
12.11.13
Durbin: Biofuels Critical to Achieving Energy Independence, Protecting Our Environment, and Supportin Rural Economy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following an oversight hearing today held by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reiterated his commitment to working with his Congressional colleagues and Illinois' industry stakeholders to improve the proposal. The biofuels industry is a major job creator, especially in rural ar… Continue Reading
12.11.13
Durbin: Amtrak Ridership in Illinois is on the Rise
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As Amtrak ridership numbers continue to grow, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with Amtrak Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Coscia and former Mayor of Macomb, Illinois and current member of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Thomas Carper. A photo of today's meeting is available here. "Amtrak made incredible progress under Chairman Carper's leadership, and we have already seen that trend continue with Chairman Coscia," Durbin said. "Congress must also do its part … Continue Reading
12.05.13
Durbin Visits Macomb Transit Facility
[MACOMB, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited the Macomb Transit Facility today to see firsthand how the new facility is functioning as a central hub for mass transit service in McDonough County. The facility was built from repurposed factory space with the help of a $12.8 million federal investment, including $5.6 million in earmarks secured by Durbin beginning in 2002. "The Macomb Transit Facility is an example of the value of federal investment in transportation projects," Durbi… Continue Reading
12.05.13
Durbin Visits Carl Sandburg Community College to Discuss Closing "Skills Gap"
[GALESBURG, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited Carl Sandburg Community College (CSCC) today to discuss legislation he introduced to help community colleges train workers for high-needs technical jobs, many of which are currently going unfilled due to a lack of qualified employees in the workforce. Durbin toured labs and met with students in CSCC's medical imaging, electrical, and diesel programs. He also talked with representatives from the BNSF Railroad, which has partnered with CS… Continue Reading
12.03.13
Durbin Tours Gifford Tornado Damage
[GIFFORD, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Gifford to take a firsthand look at the damage from last month's tornado and get an update on the recovery efforts from IEMA. "The tornado damage that I saw firsthand here in Gifford and last month in Washington is some of the worst I have ever seen," Durbin said. "The rebuilding process will be a lengthy one, but I wanted to come to Gifford today to see that recovery in action and learn what more I can do to help. President Oba… Continue Reading
12.02.13
Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Decision Not to Consider Online Sales Tax Collection Case
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after learning the Supreme Court has decided not to consider a case involving whether states can require the collection of sales and use taxes already owed under state law by out-of-state businesses under the Commerce Clause. Specifically, the case involved a New York law requiring retailers with affiliate advertisers in New York but no physical presence such as a warehouse or distribution center to collect … Continue Reading
11.15.13
Durbin Statement on New EPA Renewable Standard Proposal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). "The Renewable Fuel Standard has long been a successful driver of investment in the biofuels industry - a key tool in domestic energy independence - which supports more than 5,400 direct jobs in Illinois alone. Reducing the standard as the EPA prop… Continue Reading
11.14.13
Durbin Announces Nearly $3.9 Million in HUD Funding for St. Clair County Housing and Community Development
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that St. Clair County communities and housing agencies will receive $3,866,426 in grant funding through two programs administered by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help develop urban communities in the area. "This federal funding will give local development agencies in St. Clair County the ability to offer affordable housing to the people in their community who need it the most," Durbin said. Communi… Continue Reading
11.14.13
Durbin, Gillibrand Introduce Legislation to Promote Entrepreneurship and Innovation Through 'Fab Lab' Network
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced legislation to invest in the next generation of American entrepreneurs and innovators by establishing a national network of fabrication laboratories, known as "fab labs." Fab labs are small, community-based workshops that give members of the public - from students to small businesses - access to educational resources and high-tech equipment that can design, develop, and create new pro… Continue Reading
11.14.13
Durbin, Franken Introduce Legislation to Help Make College Textbooks More Affordable
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Al Franken (D-MN) today introduced legislation designed to help students manage costs by making high quality textbooks easily accessible to students, professors and the public for free. This bill, known as the Affordable College Textbook Act, would create a competitive grant program for institutions of higher education, working with professors and other organizations, to create and expand the use of textbooks that can be made available onl… Continue Reading
11.06.13
Durbin Discusses Thomson Prison at Senate Oversight Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - At a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee examining the Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the important job creation that Thomson prison will bring to both Illinois and Iowa. "The opening of Thomson prison is going to create good paying jobs for people living in Iowa and my home state of Illinois," said Durbin. "It is going to lessen the overcrowding in the prison system and provide critical beds that are necessary for the … Continue Reading
10.31.13
Durbin to Farm Bill Negotiators: Now Is Not the Time to Further Cut Food Assistance for Hard-Working Illinoisans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - On the floor of the Senate, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said the claims that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as 'food stamps', is growing out of control are false and that now is not the time to cut this important assistance for hard-working Illinoisans and their families. "The recent economic downturn caused hard-working people to lose their jobs. SNAP is an important safety net that caught those families while they worked… Continue Reading
10.30.13
Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Advances Durbin-Sponsored Legislation to Expan Student Loan and Housing Assistance for Servicemembers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A hearing today of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee made legislative advances on three bills to provide additional assistance to servicemembers and military families sponsored by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL): the Servicemember Student Loan Affordability Act, the Servicemember Housing Protection Act, and the Benefits Fairness for Filipino Veterans Act. The bills must receive a vote by the full Committee before proceeding to a vote on the Senate floor. "Our nation'… Continue Reading
10.03.13
Durbin Hosts Illinois Members at Bipartisan Delegation Luncheon
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation at the fifth bipartisan Illinois Congressional Delegation Luncheon of the 113th Congress. The members discussed the impact the federal government shutdown is having on Illinoisans. The luncheon today was attended by thirteen members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation: Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Representative… Continue Reading
10.01.13
Durbin Statement on the Government Shutdown
Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the House failed to pass a clean Continuing Resolution to fund the government. "Early this morning, the federal government shut down because the House of Representatives was unwilling to pass a short-term government funding measure," Durbin said. "So today, nearly a million federal workers were sent home without pay and government offices around the country were shuttered. This is no … Continue Reading
09.27.13
Durbin, Bustos Announce Nearly $1.4 Million in Funding for Peoria and Rockford Law Enforcement
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program has awarded the City of Rockford $625,000 in funding to hire or rehire five police officers and the City of Peoria $750,000 in funding to recruit or rehire six police officers. Today's funding is part of a nationwide announcement of $125 million in COPS grants that will be given to 263 different… Continue Reading
09.24.13
Durbin Meets with Fermi Director to Discuss Support for National Labs and Funding for Scientific Research
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the new Director of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Dr. Nigel Lockyer to discuss the importance of continued federal funding for scientific research and development programs. "Research and innovation are a fundamental part of the basic infrastructure that builds this country," said Durbin. "It is critical that we maintain our commitment to the scientific research taking place at our national labs that fuels American inno… Continue Reading
08.30.13
Springfield to Receive $14.4 Million in Federal TIGER Grant Funds for Carpenter Street Underpass
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers today announced that the City of Springfield, Illinois has been awarded $14.4 million for the construction of a railroad underpass at Carpenter Street - an important component of the Springfield Rail Improvement Project and the entire Chicago-to-St. Louis passenger rail corridor. In June, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) joined U.S. Representatives Aaron Schock (R-IL-18) and Rodney Davis (R-IL-13) united in sup… Continue Reading
08.15.13
Durbin Announces More Than $58,000 Investment in Quincy Area Communities to Create Jobs and Boost Development
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $58,165 in Economic Development District Planning funding to the Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials in Quincy, Illinois to create jobs and boost economic development in the region. "Today's funding will help Western Illinois create and implement a plan for continued economic growth - one that leverages new investm… Continue Reading