Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Jobs and the Economy
Durbin: Secretary of Agriculture Declares Entire State of Illinois Eligible for Drought Relief
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, for declaring the remaining Illinois counties and their surrounding areas eligible for emergency USDA assistance. Last month, Durbin joined Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and eighteen members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in supporting Governor Pat Quinn's request for the entire state to receive this designation. "This designation will help Illinois farmers… Continue Reading
08.14.12
Durbin Announces $1.25 Million Investment to Grow New Air Service at Central Illinois Airports
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that airports in Bloomington-Normal, Springfield and Champaign-Urbana have received a total of $1,250,000 in grants to grow new air service between these Central Illinois airports and the East Coast. Today's grants were awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)'s Small Community Air Service Development Program which was established by Congress in 2002 to help small, underserved airports around the country impro… Continue Reading
07.31.12
Durbin Announces $51,000 in DOJ Funding to Enhance Law Enforcement Capabilities in Moline
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $51,013 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to support law enforcement officers in Moline, Illinois. This funding will be used to support police officers' salaries, purchase tasers and upgrade court security equipment and access. "Our nation's law enforcement officers are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As these brav… Continue Reading
07.31.12
Durbin and BOP Director Discuss Importance of Thomson Prison to Relieve Overcrowding and Create 1,100 New Jobs in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, Charles Samuels, to discuss the Obama Administration's continued commitment to acquiring Thomson Correctional Center and opening it as a maximum-security federal prison - a move that would alleviate overcrowding in the federal prison system and create more than 1,100 jobs in Northwest Illinois. Durbin will speak with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn later today about moving forward with the… Continue Reading
07.27.12
Durbin to Wolf: End Opposition to 1,100 New Jobs in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called for Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) to end his opposition to opening Thomson Correctional Center as a maximum-security federal prison - a move that would create more than 1,100 jobs in Northwest Illinois. Durbin's call comes just hours after Attorney General Eric Holder sent to Congress a new request to reprogram already appropriated funding within the Department of Justice that can be used to acquire and activate Thomson Correctio… Continue Reading
07.19.12
Durbin Meets with Illinois Corn Growers to Discuss Ongoing Drought and Agriculture Priorities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with members of the Illinois Corn Growers yesterday to discuss current drought conditions in Illinois, as well as the Senate's recently passed bipartisan 2012 Farm Bill and other agricultural priorities. "Last weekend, I saw firsthand the impact that drought conditions and record-breaking temperatures have had on Illinois crops. Illinois' corn growers are a critical part of our state's economy, which means we must make certain that duri… Continue Reading
07.18.12
Durbin Invites Members of Illinois Job Training Program to Address Senators in Washington, DC
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Partners in Harper College's new Advanced Manufacturing Training Program were invited by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to speak today at a meeting of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee about their innovative job training and certification program. Developed in close partnership with regional manufacturers, Harper's program helps workers develop the skills they need to find employment in their communities and fill critical job openings at growing business… Continue Reading
07.13.12
Durbin Announces $4.7 Million Federal Grant for Chicago Rockford Airport
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) has received $4,792,402 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Airport Improvement Program for runway and taxiway rehabilitation. Upgrades to the runway will allow the airport to accommodate current and additional air cargo activity. The Chicago Rockford International Airport is currently ranked one of the most active air cargo airports in the United S… Continue Reading
07.11.12
Durbin: Time for Congressmen to End Excuses and Increase Pressure on the Only Person Holding Up Sale of Thomson
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - While calling on the Obama Administration to send a new reprogramming request to Congress for the acquisition and activation of the Thomson Correctional Center, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation should stop making excuses and start increasing pressure on Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) - the only person standing in the way of the federal government's purchase of the prison. In a letter to Attorney General Eric … Continue Reading
07.09.12
Federal Transportation Bill Creates Jobs While Investing in Illinois Mass Transit, Highways, Durbin Says
[CHICAGO, IL] - Approximately 68,000 Illinois jobs will be created or saved and the state's highway and mass transit systems will be improved as a result of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act signed into law last Friday, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said at a news conference at Ogilvie Transportation Center today. Durbin and U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello fought for Illinois priorities as the only members of the Congressional Delegation appointed to the conference committee that… Continue Reading
07.09.12
Durbin: Postmaster General Should Follow Provision Included in Two Senate Bills by Proving Cost Savings Before Closing Quincy and Rockford Mail Processing Facilities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe urging him to adhere to a provision - included in the Senate Financial Services and General Government Appropriations passed last month by the Senate Appropriations Committee - that would require the Postal Service to conduct a new audit that shows cost savings before moving forward with plans to close or consolidate facilities that were recently found to be efficient. The provision, origina… Continue Reading
07.07.12
Durbin Celebrates Rock Island Arsenal's 150th Anniversary
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Rock Island Arsenal, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) entered a statement into the Congressional in honor of the Arsenal's impressive history and its impact on the Rock Island community and the nation. "I thank those who serve at the Arsenal today and those who have served in the past. And also to those who have join me in honoring Rock Island Arsenal in its 150 year anniversary celebration," said Durbin. "Rock Island is about … Continue Reading
06.28.12
Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Decision Upholding the Affordable Care Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act: "In one of the most closely followed decisions in its history, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Obama's Affordable Care Act was clearly constitutional." "This decision means that we can move forward to address the unsustainable increase in health care costs and expand the protection of health insurance coverage to over… Continue Reading
06.25.12
Durbin, Emanuel: City of Chicago to Receive More Than $3 Million to Hire Veterans for Law Enforcement Positions
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that seven Illinois agencies including the City of Chicago will receive a total of $5,250,000 in funding from the Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) to recruit and hire post-9/11 veterans to serve as police officers and firefighters. Today's funding is part of a nationwide announcement of $111 million in COPS grants that will be given to 220 different law … Continue Reading
06.25.12
Durbin Discusses Looming Deadlines for Transportation and Student Loan Bills, Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Farm Bill
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - While calling attention to end-of-the-week-deadlines for transportation and student loan interest rate legislation, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today that this week's Senate passage of the bipartisan Farm Bill demonstrates that Congress can still take effective action in the midst of an election year. Farm Bill "The Senate's bipartisan farm bill represents a major step towards putting our agriculture policy on the right track, while also saving more than $23 … Continue Reading
06.25.12
$20 Million Federal Investment Will Jump Start Expansion of 95th Street CTA Station, Officials Say
[CHICAGO, IL] - The CTA will be able to move forward on major upgrades to one of the busiest stations in Chicago's transit system as a result of an infusion of $20 million in critical federal funding to the 95th Street Terminal Improvement Project, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Congressman Bobby Rush, Governor Pat Quinn and Federal Transit Administration Administrator Peter Rogoff announced Monday. The intermodal project will reduce pedestrian and bus congestion, cut travel time… Continue Reading
06.20.12
Senate Votes to Reduce Crop Insurance Subsidies, Save Taxpayer Dollars
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) released the following statement today after the Senate accepted Coburn-Durbin amendment #2439 by a bipartisan vote of 66-33. This amendment is a reasonable step that asks our wealthiest farmers to cover more of their risk by reducing the level of federal premium support for crop insurance participants with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) over $750,000 by 15 percentage points for all buy-up polic… Continue Reading
06.19.12
Durbin, Quinn Announce $10.4 Million TIGER Grant for Rail Improvements
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the State of Illinois a $10.4 million grant from the fourth round of the Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER IV) program. The TIGER grant will complete a $370 million funding package of 15 local projects in the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) program. The projects include new track and… Continue Reading
06.19.12
Durbin Meets with Amtrak Chairman Tom Carper as House Delay Threatens Improved Illinois Amtrak Service
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With only twelve days until the current transportation bill expires, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the House-Senate transportation bill conference committee, today met with Tom Carper, Chairman of the Board of Amtrak, to discuss critical funding for Illinois passenger rail and other transportation projects. "With record ridership numbers every year, Amtrak connects riders to schools, businesses, and communities across the state and throughout the region," … Continue Reading
06.19.12
Durbin, Jackson, Rush and Emanuel Announce Chicago's 95th Street Station to Receive $20 Million Investment Through the TIGER Grant Program Terminal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Mayor Emanuel announced today that Chicago's CTA has secured $20 million in critical funding which will allow the 95th Street Terminal Improvement Project to proceed. The intermodal project will reduce pedestrian and bus congestion, reduce travel times, improve accessibility, and create jobs on the South Side of the city. "Today's funding through the federal TIGER gr… Continue Reading