Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Jobs and the Economy
Durbin Stands With Wisconsin Workers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today, standing with Wisconsin's workers as they fight budget cuts and an effort to strip them of their collective bargaining rights by Governor Scott Walker: "When Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker decided to refuse federal high speed rail money, I said I would welcome it with open arms in Illinois. Tonight, I say the same to the members of the Wisconsin State Senate who are fighting for … Continue Reading
02.16.11
Durbin Asks DOT to Send Unused Federal Rail Money to Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, asking him to consider the Chicago Hub Network if he chooses to redistribute the high speed rail funding that the Governor of Florida rejected earlier today. Durbin wrote: "Almost one year ago, the entire Illinois Congressional delegation wrote to you communicating our belief that Illinois provides the best opportunity to invest in high speed rail. Since then, the Depar… Continue Reading
02.15.11
Durbin Expresses Support For Cape Air
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today expressed his support for Cape Air's application to provide long-term service at Quincy Regional Airport that would likely lead to the airline moving maintenance and other associated work to the region - a prospect that could add good paying jobs to Western Illinois. Late last week, the City of Quincy Aeronautics Committee voted unanimously to support Cape Air's proposal and the Mayor of Quincy, John Spring, relayed that support i… Continue Reading
02.13.11
Durbin Announces New Legislation to Ensure Long-Term Viability of Unemployment Insurance Program
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - To ensure that Illinois and other cash-strapped states are able to continue providing a critical lifeline to struggling families as they search for work, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that he will introduce legislation in the Senate this week to revamp the unemployment insurance program and ensure its long-term solvency. The Unemployment Insurance Solvency Act will solidify the program's finances while giving states greater flexibility in managing the… Continue Reading
02.10.11
Durbin and Kirk Statement on Five-Day Delay of O'Hare Lawsuit
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today released a statement following an announcement that a five-day delay has been approved in the lawsuit that United Airlines and American Airlines against the City of Chicago. The agreement to ask for a delay was reached during meetings between representatives of the airlines and city officials. "Today's agreement on a temporary delay of the lawsuit is a positive development in the negotiations between the City of … Continue Reading
02.09.11
Durbin Announces More Than $600,000 in FEMA Grant Funding to Illinois Fire Departments
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded six grants totaling $638,587 to fire departments and municipalities throughout Illinois. "Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens," Durbin said. "As these brave men and women put themselves in harm's way, we must ensure that they are equipped with the best tools possibl… Continue Reading
02.09.11
Durbin Announces $840,000 in USDA Funding to Create Jobs in Mattoon
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $100,000 in grant and $740,000 in loan funding to the Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative, located in Mattoon, Illinois, through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program. The Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative intends to use today's funding for the modernization and renovation of the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center hospital, a… Continue Reading
02.07.11
Durbin, Kirk to DOT Secretary: Compromise on O'Hare Modernization is Essential
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After learning that the Department of Transportation is planning to host a meeting this week in Washington between the City of Chicago and both United Airlines and American Airlines, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT), Ray LaHood, to stress the importance of finding a compromise on the O'Hare Modernization Program. "Secretary LaHood shares our commitment to moving for… Continue Reading
02.07.11
Durbin, Kirk, Manzullo and Roskam Tell Chinese Government to Uphold Their Agreements with Illinois Businesses
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Members of the Illinois Congressional delegation, led by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), have sent a bipartisan letter to the Chinese Ambassador asking for him to intervene in the case of an Illinois business that has been locked out of its own plant and had its intellectual property stolen by its onetime Chinese business partner. "We are writing to request your intervention in an ongoing business dispute brought to our attention by Fellowes, Inc., a business pro… Continue Reading
02.02.11
Durbin Meets with Illinois Businesses to Discuss Opportunities to Export to Africa
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Corporate Council on Africa - which included representatives from two Illinois companies - to discuss challenges faced by U.S. companies that want to do business in Africa. Durbin, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee listened to the group's ideas on how the U.S. government can more effectively help American companies compete in the African market, particularly against China. "For businesses - both… Continue Reading
01.25.11
Durbin Reaction to President Obama's State of the Union Address 2011
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement in reaction to President Obama's State of the Union address. "This evening, President Obama continued the conversation with the American people that he began in the wake of the Tucson tragedy. It was a message about our future and our need to work together, with respect, to meet our challenges." "And I also hope that the good manners we saw in the Congressional audience tonight will continue when the … Continue Reading
01.19.11
Durbin and Kirk Announce They Will Sit Together at State of the Union
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In the spirit of bipartisanship, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that they will sit side-by-side at the President's State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 25. Traditionally, Members of Congress are split by party affiliation with Democrats and Republicans sitting on opposite sides of the center aisle in the U.S. House of Representatives chamber. "Traditions that divide us were made to be broken," said Durbin. "As we begin to … Continue Reading
01.18.11
Durbin to Illinois Bankers: Small Banks will Benefit from Interchange Reform
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to three Illinois banking associations today, highlighting a recent announcement that Visa would establish a two-tiered interchange fee system - one for large institutions and one for small institutions. Visa’s announcement means that small banks and credit unions – which were given an exemption from new interchange regulation – will benefit from changes to the interchange system. The letter, addressed to … Continue Reading
12.21.10
Durbin Statement on Auction of Thomson
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the auction of Thomson Correctional Center concluded earlier today. "The federal Bureau of Prisons has informed me that, though they are still completing the necessary reviews of Thomson Correction Center, acquiring the facility is a top priority of the Obama Administration," said Durbin. "I am encouraged that the negotiations between the State of Illinois and that federal government are ongoing. In a… Continue Reading
12.15.10
Durbin Meets With Small Business Administrator to Discuss Illinois Exports
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, Karen Mills, to discuss ways in which Illinois companies can grow their businesses by selling to customers abroad. Illinois exports generated approx $4.1 billion in state tax revenue in 2008 and currently support 539,300 Illinois jobs. "Since 95% of the world's consumers live outside the United States, our small businesses need to be able to export effectively… Continue Reading
12.14.10
Durbin: Vote for Tax Cut Plan is a Vote for Illinois Middle-Class Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Noting that millions of middle class families in Illinois will benefit from lower individual tax rates and tax credits, and that 135,000 of unemployed workers Illinois will continue to receive much needed benefits throughout the holidays, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that he will vote for final passage of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act (H.R. 4853) - the compromise that was agreed to by President Obama and Congr… Continue Reading
11.18.10
Durbin and Kirk Meet to Discuss Illinois Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator-elect Mark Kirk (R-IL) met today in Durbin's Washington office to discuss ways in which they will work together on Illinois priorities in the 112th Congress. "Senator-elect Kirk and I had a very constructive discussion about the challenges that face Illinois in the years ahead," said Durbin. "Though we may disagree on some issues, we agreed that there is much common ground when it comes to Illinois. Our st… Continue Reading
10.28.10
Durbin: Expansion of Chrysler Plant in Belvidere will Allow Company to Create or Retain Jobs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the decision by Chrysler Group LLC to invest $600 million in expanding the company's Belvidere Assembly Plant in Northern Illinois. The expansion project will allow Chrysler to retain 1,950 jobs on two full shifts. The upgraded facilities would also support more than 500 contract employees and create the possibility of adding a third shift. "Over the years the Belvidere plant has changed with the nation's auto market but it… Continue Reading
10.20.10
Durbin Announces More Than $2.35 Million in Funding For South Suburban Chicago Development Initiative
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a $2,351,848 Community Challenge Planning grant to the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association to help fund a residential development plan that will foster job growth in the region. "This funding will promote job growth, improve livability, and create more sustainable communities in south suburban Chicago," said Durbin. … Continue Reading
10.15.10
Durbin, Ardis Announce $10 Million for Peoria Warehouse District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mayor of Peoria Jim Ardis announced that the City of Peoria will receive a $10 million grant to design and build a complete street network that is safe, walkable and attractive in the Warehouse District. This project is a key component of the city's plan for revitalizing the Warehouse District which will create jobs and promote economic development. The funding was awarded today by the Department of Transportation through the Transportat… Continue Reading