Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
Durbin, Kirk Announce Nearly $500,000 in DOT Funding to Help Illinois' Veterans Literally "Get to Work"
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $362,000 competitive grant to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and a $131,325 competitive grant to Lee County, Illinois, to enhance access to affordable transportation for wounded warriors as well as military families and spouses. The funding, which comes through DOT's new Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative, w… Continue Reading
11.04.11
Durbin Calls for STB to Investigate Canadian National Train Derailment
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following the second derailment of a Canadian National train near Elgin this year, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to open an investigation to determine if Canadian National is properly maintaining and upgrading the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern (EJ&E) railway to handle hazardous materials and prevent derailments. The train which was reportedly carrying three hazardous material chemicals - sodium hydroxide, ferrous sulf… Continue Reading
11.01.11
Durbin: Bill to Fund Departments of Agriculture, Transportation, Justice, Others Protects Several Illinois Priorities
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate has approved a bill to fund several federal agencies for the 2012 fiscal year that includes funding that will enhance programs and create jobs in Illinois. Many of these priorities were included in President Obama's 2012 Budget and supported by Durbin. High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail On September 21, Durbin - a Co-Chair and founding member of the Bi-Cameral High- Speed & Intercity Passenger R… Continue Reading
10.26.11
Durbin: House Transportation Bill Wrong Approach to Amtrak Funding
[ST. LOUIS, MO] - A House transportation funding proposal would dismantle Amtrak service and stunt high-speed rail growth in spite of record ridership numbers, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today during a news conference at the Gateway Multimodal Transportation Center in St. Louis, Missouri. "St. Louis is one of the most important hubs in the nation's passenger rail network and Gateway Station is the anchor of that network. Residents of the St. Louis region on both sides of the river … Continue Reading
10.18.11
Durbin Announces Over $450,000 DOT Investment in Bloomington-Normal Transit
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System has been awarded two grants totaling $465,600 through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT grants include funding to purchase radios and procure Intelligent Transportation System software, hardware and other equipment for fixed route bus service. "Better communication can lead to cleaner, safer transportation that will improve the quality of life for all resident… Continue Reading
10.13.11
Durbin and Ardis Applaud DOT Funding to Study Passenger Rail Between Peoria and Bloomington-Normal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mayor Jim Ardis of Peoria, Illinois joined the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission in celebrating the Department of Transportation (DOT)'s decision to award $160,000 in funding to study the feasibility of establishing passenger rail service from Bloomington-Normal - which is currently served by Amtrak service from Chicago to St. Louis - to Peoria. "Connecting Peoria to the high speed rail service in Bloomington-Normal opens up new… Continue Reading
10.13.11
Durbin, Emanuel Announces $38 Million Investment to Improve Transit In Chicago
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that several Illinois transit projects have been awarded a total of $38,000,000 in grants through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT grants include funding to upgrade transit facilities, study new transit routes and replace aging buses and equipment with new fuel-efficient vehicles and cost-saving materials. "Bringing new buses with more capacity and cleaner emissions to Chicago C… Continue Reading
10.12.11
Durbin Announces $51 Million DOT Investment to Improve Transit in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that several Illinois transit projects have been awarded a total of $51,657,400 in grants through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT grants include funding to upgrade transit facilities, study new transit routes and replace aging buses and equipment with new fuel-efficient vehicles and cost-saving materials. "Bringing new buses with more capacity and cleaner emissions to cities throughout Illinois, improves the… Continue Reading
10.12.11
Durbin: Federal Investment Will Help Metra Reduce Emissions
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that a $5,288,000 investment from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program will help Metra reduce emissions and improve air quality in and around their trains. "Reducing the cloud of smoke from METRA locomotives will save fuel and help limit exposure to harmful air pollution," said Durbin. "This $5.2 million investment will help pay for this important clean-up." In February, Durbin met wi… Continue Reading
09.29.11
Durbin Meets with Community Stakeholders to Discuss Economic Impact of Amtrak Service to Western Illinois
[QUINCY, IL] - Rail service throughout Illinois - including the route between Chicago and Quincy - is at serious risk of being eliminated if the transportation spending bill proposed by House Republicans becomes law, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today. The funding bill for the 2012 fiscal year released last week by the House Transportation Appropriation Subcommittee prohibits Amtrak from helping states pay for state-sponsored routes, which will effectively eliminate all state-support… Continue Reading
09.22.11
Durbin Commends Announcement of a Nearly $1.8 Million Federal Grant Award to Support Development of Aerospace Industry in Rockford
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the Obama Administration's announcement $1,769,987 in federal funding for a project - designed by seven Rockford Area groups - that aims to strengthen the local aerospace industry. The Rockford project is one of 20 winning projects awarded a total of $38 million in funding today through President Obama's Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge which awarded funds to support a wide range of economic and workforce development … Continue Reading
09.21.11
Durbin-Lautenberg-Feinstein-Landrieu Amendment Restores $100 Million in Funding for High Speed Rail
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has accepted their amendment on a bi-partisan basis to restore $100 million in funding for High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail grants. As rail travel continues to grow in popularity as an alternative to other forms of transportation, this investment will create jobs by putting unemployed construction workers… Continue Reading
09.20.11
Durbin, Kirk Ask Metra to Justify Fare Increases, Consulting Fees
[CHICAGO, IL] - United States Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today sent a letter to Alex Clifford, Executive Director and CEO of Metra, asking him to offer an explanation of costs incurred by the agency, and justify the proposed 30% fare increase. Metra currently has a six-month, $225,000 contract with George Avery Grimes, a consultant brought on to increase agency efficiencies and reduce costs. Grimes' contract is under review for a six-month extension. In their letter, Du… Continue Reading
09.20.11
Durbin Meets with Secretary of Transportation and FAA Administrator
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Randy Babbitt to discuss Illinois transportation priorities including the O'Hare Modernization Program and FAA Reauthorization. "Transportation is the key to creating and keeping jobs in the Midwest and Secretary LaHood understands that," said Durbin. "He also understands how important the O'Hare Modernization Prog… Continue Reading
09.07.11
Durbin Announces $18.7 Million Investment in Illinois Airport Infrastructure
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that three Illinois airports have received a total of $18,702,075 in grants through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for infrastructure improvements and upgrades. "Today's grants will allow airports in Illinois to make needed improvements and upgrades to help them reduce noise and serve travelers more safely and efficiently," said Durbin. The following investments in Illinois' transportation infrastructure were m… Continue Reading
08.30.11
Durbin: Peoria International Airport to Receive a Nearly $3.5 Million Grant for Improvements
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $3,489,278 grant to the Greater Peoria Airport Authority for several safety and improvement projects at the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport. This funding will be used to improve the airport's aircraft rescue and fire fighting building as well as for the rehabilitation of two runways and a taxiway. "Peoria International Airport … Continue Reading
08.22.11
Durbin Announces $16.3 Million in Illinois Airport Infrastructure
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that several Illinois airports have received a total of $16,328,409 in grants through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for infrastructure improvements and upgrades. "Today's grants will allow airports in Illinois to make needed improvements and upgrades to help them serve travelers more safely and efficiently," said Durbin. The following investments in Illinois' transportation infrastructure were made under this … Continue Reading
08.12.11
Durbin Announces Oak Forest and Metra to Receive DOT Funding for Station Project
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Illinois Department of Transportation a $1,304,400 grant for the modernization of the Oak Forest Metra Rail Station. "Today's funding for the Oak Forest Metra Station will increase the appeal of public transit as an affordable, reliable, environmentally friendly alternative to car travel," said Durbin. "Bringing these changes to the station will spur economic development… Continue Reading
08.05.11
Durbin Statement on Agreement to Extend FAA Authorization
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after an agreement to extend FAA authorization was announced by Senator Reid earlier today: "Extending FAA authorization will put an estimated 74,000 Americans back to work and help keep airports and air operations in Illinois and around the country safe. I support this extension. "Congress' failure to reach a deal to extend FAA authorization before going home this week is no way to run a government. W… Continue Reading
07.29.11
Durbin, Kirk Ask Airlines to Put Consumers First
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to rising airline ticket rates following a partial Federal Aviation Administration shutdown, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) have sent a letter to Nicholas Calio, President and CEO of the Air Transport Association, calling into question the fare hikes instituted by many airlines. Congressional authorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expired on July 22nd, resulting in the shutdown of certain FAA responsibilities and pause i… Continue Reading