Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
Illinois Congressional Democrats Urge Census Bureau To Ensure Full And Fair Count For 2020 Census
WASHINGTON - The Democratic members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation today sent a letter to U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham urging him to ensure a full and fair count of the State of Illinois with the upcoming 2020 Decennial Census. The members expressed concern with administrative and technological changes being made to the upcoming Census, and urged the Bureau to provide Illinois with the necessary resources to count all Illinois residents, especially vulnerable and hard… Continue Reading
08.09.19
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos, Loebsack Announce $1.2 Million In DOT Funding for Quad Cities Ferryboat Dock
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02), announced today that Quad Cities MetroLINK will receive $1,200,000 in federal grant funding to replace an old Channel Cat dock in Davenport. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Passenger Ferry Grant program. Today's grant will be used to rebuild Davenport's Lindsay Park dock. "I'm pleased that this… Continue Reading
07.26.19
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $673,000 For Veterans Airport Of Southern Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion will receive $673,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The funding will be the final reimbursement on the recently completed new airline terminal project. "Investing in our airports is key to Illinois' economic success," Durbin said. "The funding announced today will help modernize our aviation infrastr… Continue Reading
07.26.19
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $3 Million For Decatur Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Decatur Airport will receive $2,929,500 from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The funding will be used to support continued runway rehabilitation. "Investing in our airports is key to Illinois' economic success," Durbin said. "The funding announced today will help modernize our aviation infrastructure and improve the experience for Southern Illinois trave… Continue Reading
06.25.19
Durbin Meets With Officials From Springfield & Sangamon County in Washington
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with officials from Springfield, Illinois, and Sangamon County to discuss local priorities including the Illinois Air National Guard's 183rd Wing and transportation and infrastructure improvements. Durbin discussed progress on the Springfield Rail Improvement Program (SRIP) and various road and highway improvement projects the city is hoping to get federal support for. "Springfield is my hometown, and it's always great to welcome Mayor La… Continue Reading
06.24.19
Durbin Meets With Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Peoria, Illinois, Mayor Jim Ardis today to discuss transportation priorities and the importance of investing in our nation's infrastructure. Durbin discussed Peoria's interest in becoming a research hub for autonomous vehicle technology, including the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC) in the Greater Peoria Area's application for an Automated Driving System Demonstration Grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation. Durb… Continue Reading
06.24.19
Durbin, Duckworth, Lipinski Announce More Than $65 Million For Chicago Airport Improvements
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03), today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has awarded O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport grants totaling $65,276,900. O'Hare International Airport will receive $65 million to support runway construction and Midway International Airport will receive $276,900 to conduct a n… Continue Reading
06.19.19
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Push DOT To Support Quad Cities Amtrak Route
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), urged the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue an extension for federal funding for the Amtrak route between Chicago and Moline. After funding delays from former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker renewed the state's financial commitment to the proposed state-supported Amtrak route between Chicago and Moline by providing $225 m… Continue Reading
06.12.19
Durbin Meets With Champaign County Leaders To Discuss Transportation Priorities
WASHINGTON - In a meeting with local leaders from Champaign County today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) discussed central Illinois transportation priorities and the importance of investing in our nation's infrastructure. The group discussed improving the Illinois Terminal of the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, an intersection of I-57 and I-74 in the northwest corner of Champaign, and Amtrak on-time performance (OTP). "Illinois is in desperate need of improvements to our roads, bridg… Continue Reading
06.12.19
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $6 Million For Rail Improvements Around Peru, Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the City of Peru, Illinois, has been awarded a $6,081,036 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The federal funding will support the second phase of the Peru Intermodal, Safety, Congestion, and Energy Security Project (PISCES II), creating a more efficient and safe rail system around the City of Peru. "This important investme… Continue Reading
06.10.19
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $20 Million in Federal Funding For Create's Dolton Junction Interlocking Rail Project
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a total of $19,206,398 to the CREATE (Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency) Program's Dolton Junction Interlocking project in Dolton, Illinois. This rail project will help ease freight congestion outside of Chicago. This funding was awarded through DOT's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Pro… Continue Reading
06.06.19
Durbin, Duckworth Press Carson For Answers On State Of Public Housing In East St. Louis
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today pressed U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson for answers on the state of public housing infrastructure in East St. Louis, Illinois. Durbin and Duckworth asked Carson about the growing backlog of repairs at Public Housing Authorities, like the East. St. Louis Housing Authority (ESLHA), and whether HUD is meeting its oversight authority to ensure that residents living in ESLHA proper… Continue Reading
05.24.19
Durbin, Duckworth statement On Army Corps Approval Of Brandon Road Project
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Army Corps of Engineers approved and sent to Congress their plan for the Brandon Road project to prevent Asian Carp from reaching the Great Lakes. Last month, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a letter of intent for the State of Illinois to move forward as the local sponsor of the project. "We applaud today's announcement from the Corps signing off on the Brandon Road p… Continue Reading
05.22.19
Durbin: President Trump Has Gone Fishing - Refuses To Work With Congress During Investigation
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today recounted the meeting at the White House, which was originally scheduled to discuss transportation infrastructure, but was instead used as a press opportunity for President Donald Trump to express his frustration with Congressional investigations and oversight. Durbin noted that in light of Congress's role in appropriating funding for the government, Congress has a responsibility to conduct oversi… Continue Reading
05.21.19
Durbin, Scott, Menendez, Young, Duckworth, Kaine, Portman, Smith Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Protect Children From Lead Poisoning
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Todd Young (R-IN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Tina Smith (D-MN) today introduced the Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2019, which would require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to update its lead poisoning prevention measures to reflect modern science and ensure that families and children living in federally-assisted housing are pr… Continue Reading
05.14.19
Durbin Meets With Transportation For Illinois Coalition
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Transportation for Illinois Coalition (TFIC), a group of statewide and regional businesses, organized labor, industry, governmental, and nonprofit organizations that have joined together to support strong transportation investments for Illinois. Durbin discussed his priorities for the upcoming White House negotiations regarding a comprehensive transportation infrastructure bill and his work to secure federal funding for Illinois pr… Continue Reading
05.09.19
Durbin Meets With Mayor-Elect Lightfoot
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot to discuss Chicago priorities and how he can assist her in the Senate. Durbin and Lightfoot talked about reducing gun violence, the Chicago HEAL Initiative, the 2020 Census, public housing, and transportation infrastructure funding. "I want to thank Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot for coming by and meeting with the Illinois Congressional Delegation. We spoke about the issues she'll face in her new adminis… Continue Reading
05.07.19
Durbin Meets With Labor Groups
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with a large group of labor organizations to discuss trade, transportation infrastructure, and support for federal employees. Durbin also discussed his support for strengthening workers' rights to join unions and bargain collectively. "Our country was built on foundational labor rights - like fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to health care. As someone who grew up in a union household, I will always have their back in Congres… Continue Reading
04.30.19
Durbin Statement On White House Transportation Meeting
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after attending today's meeting at the White House regarding transportation infrastructure: "In today's meeting, we agreed with the President that any transportation infrastructure plan must be big and bold. And we can't stop at roads and bridges - any proposal must include broadband, mass transit, and our waterways. The President now has agreed … Continue Reading
04.11.19
Durbin Joins Bipartisan Group Of Senators Urging Amtrak To Continue Support For Routes That Connect Rural Communities In Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined a bipartisan group of Senators today calling on Amtrak to continue service to rural communities in Illinois and across the U.S. by investing in long-distance and state-supported routes. In a letter to Amtrak, the Senators requested responses to questions about Amtrak's budgeting process and proposed changes to long-distance and state-supported routes that would have major implications for rural communities who rely on Amtrak service to connect … Continue Reading