Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More than $147 Million to Support Community Services in Illinois as Part of COVID-19 Relief Package
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive more than $147 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding was provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which was signed into law last week and will be distributed across Illinois through HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) program and Emerge… Continue Reading
04.03.20
Durbin to Illinois Banks and Credit Unions: Participate in SBA Loan Program to Help Small Businesses
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged the leaders of the Illinois Bankers Association, Illinois Credit Union League, and Community Bankers Association of Illinois to encourage their members to participate in the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help ensure that small businesses across the state have access to the resources they need to survive the economic consequences they are facing due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Coronavirus … Continue Reading
04.02.20
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief Bill With Illinois Transportation Leaders
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with a group of transportation leaders from across Illinois and heard how the pandemic is continuing to affect local transportation needs and services. On a call with leaders from Illinois transportation departments, airports, railroads, and other mass transit systems, Durbin discussed how provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act can help provide relief funding fo… Continue Reading
04.02.20
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Response With Illinois VA Medical Facility Leaders
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the response to the COVID-19 pandemic with directors of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers in Illinois. Durbin, on a call with the directors, spoke about the provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that could support VA Medical Centers in Illinois that are dealing with outbreaks of COVID-19. As of April 1, the VA has 1,602 positive veteran cases of COVID-19 nationwide, includ… Continue Reading
04.02.20
Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Demand Expanded Internet Access for Low-Income Americans Throughout COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) in leading a group of their colleagues to demand better mobile internet service for low-income Americans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Improved internet access would help American families better work and learn from home and access vital telehealth resources. The federal Lifeline service program, administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), provides free and discounted … Continue Reading
04.01.20
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief Bill With Illinois Municipal League & Mayors
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the Illinois Municipal League Board of Directors and a group of Illinois mayors from across the State and heard how the pandemic is continuing to affecting local governments, small businesses, and essential services. Durbin discussed how social distancing measures are being implemented in the cities and villages across Illinois, and how provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Se… Continue Reading
04.01.20
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief Bill with AAR Corp CEO
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the COVID-19 pandemic's continued impact on airline manufacturers and suppliers with Illinois-based AAR Corp CEO John Holmes. AAR Corp operates two maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Illinois, one at Rockford International Airport and one in Wood Dale, Illinois. On a call with Holmes, Durbin shared how the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides eligibility for the air maintenance (MRO) … Continue Reading
04.01.20
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief Bill with United Airlines CEO
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke with United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz today about the COVID-19 pandemic's continued impact on the airline industry and how the company is planning to use its federal relief funding to help workers and protect consumers during this unprecedented crisis. "I urged United Airlines to do everything it can to protect the jobs of employees that work for them during this unprecedented public health and economic crisis," Durbin said. "United has a majo… Continue Reading
04.01.20
Durbin, Rosen, Colleagues Request Language in Annual Spending Bill Barring Funding for the Arrest, Detention, or Deportation of Dreamers or TPS Recipients
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), led 18 of their colleagues in a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee requesting that language be included in the Fiscal Year 2021 annual spending bill to prohibit the u… Continue Reading
03.31.20
Durbin Discusses Availability of Protective Masks With EPA Region 5 Administrator
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), on a call with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede, asked about the agency's supply of N-95 masks and whether they could be given to hospitals and health care workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois. Durbin pushed Administrator Thiede about whether EPA's warehouse in suburban Chicago had an available supply of N-95 masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE). The EPA indicated that the agency … Continue Reading
03.31.20
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief Bill With Illinois AFL-CIO
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with Tim Drea, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO, and the Illinois AFL-CIO executive committee. On a call with the Illinois AFL-CIO, Durbin discussed how the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will help workers who are impacted by the pandemic. The bill provides direct cash payments to Americans and significantly expands unemployment insurance. "Democrats h… Continue Reading
03.31.20
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Relief Bill With Illinois Chamber of Commerce
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined a call with leaders of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to discuss provisions to assist small, medium, and large businesses in the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act provides $350 billion in forgivable loans and $10 billion in emergency grants for small businesses, as well as $500 billion in loan assistance for mid-sized and large nonprofits and businesses, including airlines. "Thi… Continue Reading
03.31.20
Durbin, Duckworth, Colleagues Urge Administration to Address Child Care Needs of Frontline Workers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and a number of their colleagues in urging the Office of Child Care at the Department of Health and Human Services to take additional steps to expand child care options for health care workers and others on the frontlines responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as provide critical guidance to child care providers to ensure that they are taking appropriate action to minimize the risk … Continue Reading
03.31.20
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Threat at Federal Prisons With BOP Director
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Michael Carvajal to discuss how he plans to protect BOP staff and inmates at facilities across the country as the COVID-19 pandemic has spread to federal prisons. Despite this threat, the Trump Administration has not yet requested any additional funding for BOP to prepare for and combat the pandemic. "Vulnerable staff and inmates at federal prisons are starting to contract COVID-19, and it's i… Continue Reading
03.31.20
Durbin Urges FDA and HHS to Increase Personal Protective Equipment Supplies for Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), on a call with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, discussed efforts to increase personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing capacity to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois. Durbin pushed Commissioner Hahn and Secretary Azar to do everything they can to increase access to safe and effective personal protective equipment, COVID-19 testing kit su… Continue Reading
03.30.20
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Discuss COVID-19 Response With Rock Island Arsenal
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), today discussed how the U.S. Army is utilizing the Rock Island Arsenal to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with the Army Materiel Command's General Gustave Perna and Executive Deputy to the Commanding General Lisha Adams. On a call with General Perna and Ms. Adams, the members asked how the manufacturing capabilities at Rock Island Arsenal could be used as part … Continue Reading
03.30.20
Durbin, Duckworth Urge CMS to Approve Illinois' Request to Expand Medicaid Coverage, Lift Barriers During COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON - Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to swiftly approve the State of Illinois' 1115(a) Medicaid waiver request, so the state can expand access to essential health services for nearly 800,000 people and have the flexibility to deliver quality care amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "Specifically, the 1115(a) demonstration waiver would…remove financial barriers to pati… Continue Reading
03.30.20
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Stimulus Bill with American Airlines CEO
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke with American Airlines CEO Doug Parker today about the COVID-19 pandemic's continued impact on the airline industry and how the company is planning to use its federal relief funding to help workers and protect consumers during this unprecedented crisis. "The airline industry is facing a greater threat than 9/11, threatening the jobs of thousands in Illinois. The stimulus bill passed last week included strong protections for workers in the airl… Continue Reading
03.30.20
Durbin, Nadler, Feinstein, Lofgren Demand DHS Give Due Process As Required by Law to Unaccompanied Children During COVID-19 Outbreak
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, along with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and House Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf regarding reports that DHS is violating the Trafficking Victim Protect… Continue Reading
03.28.20
Durbin Discusses Coronavirus Relief Bill With Illinois Legislative Leaders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discussed the Senate-passed Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act with Illinois legislative leaders, including Illinois Speaker Mike Madigan, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, Illinois House Leader Jim Durkin, and Illinois Senate Leader Bill Brady. Durbin shared how the federal bill, which provides $150 billion in direct federal grant funding to state and local governments, can assist the State in its COVID-19 response. I… Continue Reading