Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
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
06.29.12
Durbin, Costello Support Final Transportation Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today voted for H.R. 4348, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012. Durbin and Costello were the only conferees from Illinois helping to craft the final version of this legislation, which provides an increase in Illinois' share of highway and transit funding. Enacting the bill into law will remove the uncertainty that has surrounded transportation spending during short-term funding exte… 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
06.19.12
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
06.13.12
Durbin Calls on Illinois House Republicans to Demand Speak Boehner Bring Bipartisan Senate Transportation Bill to a Vote
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the House-Senate Conference Committee on the next transportation bill, today called on Republican Members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation to demand that House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) call for a vote on the bipartisan transportation bill which passed the Senate by a vote of 74-22 and would create or save 67,900 jobs in Illinois. "It is increasingly clear that the only way to complete a multi-year transportation bil… Continue Reading
06.13.12
Durbin Meets with Quad Cities Airport Director to Discuss Support for Regional Transportation Initiatives
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Bruce Carter, Director of Quad Cities International Airport and Chairman of the American Association of Airport Executives, to discuss regional transportation and infrastructure priorities. A photo of today's meeting is available here. Carter has served as director of the Quad City International Airport since 1999. "Quad City International Airport is a critical transportation link for central Illinois, serving residents and v… Continue Reading
06.07.12
Durbin Announces Nearly $1 Million in DOT Funding for Springfield Airport
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $945,000 in funding to the Springfield Airport Authority. This funding will be used to rehabilitate existing apron pavement at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, IL. "Today's grant will help maintain an airport that is vital to the city of Springfield," said Durbin. "The new improvements will allow the airport to continue to serve Central Illinois… Continue Reading
05.09.12
Durbin: Transportation Secretary's Visit Underscores Importance of Transportation Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the transportation bill Conference Committee, today spoke with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about the importance of passing a transportation bill that includes funding for a new competitive grant program for projects of regional and national significance. This grant program would give Illinois and Iowa the opportunity to seek additional federal funding for the I-74 Bridge project which Secretary LaHood is scheduled to visi… Continue Reading
05.04.12
Durbin Announces Over $1.8 Million for Rural Development in Marion County
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development division has awarded a loan of $1,156,000 and a grant of $653,200 for the Northeast Marion County Water Company under the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The project involves the construction of 46 miles to an existing water line, providing an additional 110 Illinoisans with safe drinking water. The Northeast Marion County Water Company curr… Continue Reading
05.02.12
Durbin Meets with Transportation Officials to Discuss Illinois Priorities for Federal Transportation Bill
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with key transportation leaders in Chicago today to discuss Illinois' priorities and the stark differences between the House and Senate transportation bills. Durbin and U.S. Representative Jerry Costello were the only Illinoisans named to the joint Senate-House Conference Committee tasked with working out the differences between the Senate (S.1813) version and House (H.R.4348) version of a national transportation funding bill. "As the roa… Continue Reading
04.30.12
As Members of Transportation Conference Committee, Durbin and Costello Will Work to Protect Illinois Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a letter to all members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jerry Costello (D-IL) today committed to working to protect important Illinois priorities in the upcoming House-Senate Conference Committee on the next transportation bill. They also asked the members to submit their priorities in writing in order to ensure the entire delegation is working together to protect important, job-creating Illinois transport… Continue Reading
04.24.12
As Member of Conference Committee, Durbin Vows to Protect Illinois Jobs and Transportation Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that he has been named by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to the joint Senate-House Conference Committee tasked with working out the differences between the Senate (S.1813) version and House (H.R.4348) version of a national transportation funding bill. "As the road, rail and aviation hub of the country, Illinois depends on a robust federal investment in transportation projects to keep its economy moving," said Dur… Continue Reading
04.18.12
Durbin, Costello Meet With Army Assistant Secretary Regarding Metro East Levees
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today held a meeting with Assistant Secretary of the Army Corps of Engineers, Jo-Ellen Darcy, commander of the St. Louis District, Colonel Christopher Hall, and the head of the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District Council, Les Sterman, to discuss streamlining the review process for the Metro East levee project. The Army Corps pledged their continued commitment to the project, and will nomi… Continue Reading
03.15.12
Durbin Announces A Nearly $600,000 Investment in Illinois First-Responder Capabilities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has made a $597,490 investment in five fire departments in Illinois. Today's funding will help support and improve the capability of each department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As these brave men and wom… Continue Reading
03.14.12
Durbin: Bipartisan Senate Transportation Bill Best Route for Illinois Jobs, National Economy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate passed legislation by a vote of 74-22 that will create and protect millions of jobs nationwide while preventing crippling cuts to Illinois' highways and public transit agencies. Durbin urged the House of Representatives to take up and pass the legislation as soon as possible. "This transportation bill is the real jobs bill and it passed today with overwhelming bipartisan support," said Durbin. "This bill … Continue Reading
03.08.12
Durbin: Bipartisan Senate Transportation Bill is Best Route for Illinois Jobs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With Senate Democrats and Republicans having reached an agreement to advance a national transportation funding bill that would protect public transit, highways, and jobs in Illinois and across the country, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today pressed House Republican leaders to take up the Senate's bipartisan compromise that will create and protect millions of jobs nationwide while preventing crippling cuts to Illinois' highways and public transit agencies. Reports suggest … Continue Reading
03.07.12
Durbin Meets with Bloomington-Normal Officials to Discuss Economic Development and Transportation Issues
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today met with business and labor leaders from the Bloomington-Normal area who were in Washington, DC as part of the fifth annual "One Voice" trip. Durbin and members of the group discussed the region's economic development as well as other issues affecting McLean County including the pending transportation bill being debated in the Senate and agricultural issues. The Senate is currently debating a bipartisan transportation funding bill which maintain… Continue Reading