Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
Durbin Announces Funding to Repair Loyola CTA Station and Take Steps Toward Future Red Line Modernization
[CHICAGO, IL] - The Loyola CTA Station will soon see major improvements, ensuring the safety of passengers and pedestrians, as the result of $11 million in federal funding, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said today. Durbin joined local elected officials, representatives of the CTA and Loyola University, and members of the Rogers Park community at the Loyola CTA Station to announce $18.5 million - including $11 million in federal funds - to begin immediate repairs to the dilapidated Loyola CTA Station … Continue Reading
07.21.11
Durbin: Metro East Port District Project to Receive Additional $8.5 Million in Funds
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded an additional $8,500,000 in funding Tri-City Regional Port District for a project to continue construction on a regional multimodal transportation hub in Metro East, Illinois. This award was part of $15,000,000 in Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program funding that was redistributed by the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, earlier today. … Continue Reading
07.19.11
Durbin Seeks Explanation of Ventilation Issues at Union Station
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today asked the President and CEO of Amtrak, Joseph Boardman, for an update on their efforts to improve air quality in and around Union Station and an explanation of how the responsibility to ensure the air ventilation systems are operating properly is shared with private land owners near the station. "Amtrak, as the owner of Union Station, has a responsibility to ensure the air ventilation systems under their control are operating properly and … Continue Reading
07.13.11
Durbin Asks Committee to Include Federal Taxpayer Protections in Next Surface Transportation Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today asked the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) to include his Protecting Taxpayers in Transportation Asset Transfers Act in their bill to reauthorize the Surface Transportation Act. Also included in today's letter was a list of Illinois priorities that Durbin would like to see incorporated in the EPW committee's legislation including: funding formulas that ensure a more equitable share of federal highway dollars for Illin… Continue Reading
07.09.11
Durbin Brings Together Federal, State, and Local Stakeholders to Discuss Path Forward for Springfield Rail Consolidation
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - In an effort to expedite the process that he hopes will identify the Springfield rail consolidation alternative that best promotes public safety, enhances the quality of life of residents, and boosts the local economy, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) brought together key federal, state, and local stakeholders today. Durbin opened the meeting by stating his goals for the day: to clear up confusion about cost estimates in Hanson Engineering's Springfield Rail Corridor Study… Continue Reading
07.07.11
Durbin and Kirk Announce $50 Million in DOT Funding for O'Hare Runway Construction
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $50 million grant to Chicago O'Hare International Airport for runway construction. This announcement comes after the $1.17 billion agreement in March of this year between the City of Chicago and American and United Airlines that allowed the O'Hare Modernization Program to move forward. "The O'Hare Modernization Program is a project of national e… Continue Reading
06.30.11
Durbin Commends Introduction of Bill to Protect Taxpayer Investment in House
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today commended Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and others for introducing companion legislation to Durbin's Protecting Taxpayers in Transportation Asset Transfers Act. Both bills aim to protect taxpayer investment and require increased transparency and public involvement before local and state governments can lease or sell major transportation projects such as roads, airports and other facilities. "The strong support that has been expressed … Continue Reading
06.23.11
Durbin: All Parties Must Work Together in Springfield Rail Effort
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Citing a successful meeting that resulted in an agreement between major stakeholders in the Springfield rail consolidation effort, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today proposed a second meeting to clear up recent confusion about cost estimates and bring all parties back on the same page. Durbin also announced that he would be extending invitations to other members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation to discuss federal financing options and challenges. "I am writing… Continue Reading
06.22.11
Durbin Statement on Agreement that Will Allow FRA to Obligate $133 Million in Funds for Englewood Flyover
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released a statement after Norfolk Southern (NS), the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Amtrak reached an development agreement will bring Federal Railroad Administration one step closer to obligating $133 million in funding for the Englewood Flyover. This agreement will move the project forward and help prevent any future attempts by House Republicans to rescind this funding that was appropriated through the Recovery Act.… Continue Reading
06.17.11
Durbin Introduces Legislation to Protect Taxpayer Investment
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation on Thursday that would protect taxpayer investment in major infrastructure projects when local and state governments privatize roads, airports and other transportation facilities. The Protecting Taxpayers in Transportation Asset Transfers Act would also require increased transparency and public involvement before major transportation projects can be leased or sold. "The federal government provides states and local governm… Continue Reading
06.10.11
Durbin Commends United Airlines for Pledging to Bring 1,300 Jobs to Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today responded to United Continental Holding's decision to bring 1,300 jobs to Chicago by the end of next year. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the decision to bring the mostly technology and operations-focused jobs to the city earlier today alongside United CEO Jeff Smisek. "Today's decision shows United's commitment to our great city and reinforces Chicago's position as a premier American transportation hub," said Durbin. "These 1… Continue Reading
05.17.11
Durbin Joins Four Other Senators in Asking for Investigation into Gasoline Price-Fixing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As the average gas price remains above $4.00 per gallon in Illinois and climbing to nearly $5.00 per gallon in some parts of the state, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined four other Senators in asking the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate potential price fixing of gasoline by U.S. refiners. Later today, the Senate will vote on a bill that would eliminate tax breaks and subsidies for big oil companies and divert the $21 billion in savings over the next … Continue Reading
05.09.11
Durbin, Kirk, Quinn Announce $268 Million for High Speed Rail Cars in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) were joined by Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn in announcing that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $268 million in high speed rail funding to Illinois for the purchase of 48 new passenger rail cars and 7 locomotives that will be equipped to travel at high speeds. Today's funding comes from the $2 billion that was rejected by the governor of Florida earlier this year. It is in addition to the $… Continue Reading
05.04.11
Durbin, Kirk, Quinn Announce $186 Million for Chicago to St. Louis High Speed Rail
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) joined Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn in announcing that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $186 million in high speed rail funding to finance track and other improvements on the Chicago to St. Louis corridor between Dwight and Joliet. Earlier today, the Department of Transportation notified Congressional Appropriators that they have reprogrammed $400 million of the $2 billion in funding that was rejected … Continue Reading
04.27.11
Durbin Celebrates opening of New Terminal at Peoria International Airport
[PEORIA, IL] - The completion of construction on a new terminal at Peoria International Airport will create more capacity for commercial passenger airplanes, lower wait times for baggage, expand space for vendors, enhance security and provide the airport with the ability to handle one million passengers per year, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today. Durbin joined Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and other federal and local elected officials at the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating… Continue Reading
04.20.11
Durbin, Kirk, Illinois Delegations: High Speed Rail Funding Will Have Greatest Impact in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) joined members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in expressing support for Illinois' application for the federal funding for high speed rail projects that was rejected by the Governor of Florida. In their letter to the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, the members stressed the importance of the Chicago to St. Louis route as the backbone of the Midwest passenger rail system. "We believe Illinois offers t… Continue Reading
04.12.11
Durbin: $400 Million in Illinois Transportation Funding Protected in Budget Agreement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the agreement reached on funding the government through the end of FY2011 protects nearly $400 million in federal funding for eight transportation projects in Illinois that were targeted for rescission in the House Republican's FY2011 Budget plan (H.R.1). For over a month, Durbin has been travelling the state to draw attention to the negative impact these rescission would have on Illinois jobs and economic development. … Continue Reading
04.08.11
Durbin: DOT Approves Cape Air as Essential Air Service Carrier for Next Four Years
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Cape Air's application to provide long-term service at Quincy Regional Airport for the next four years was accepted by the Department of Transportation. This move will likely lead to the airline moving maintenance and other associated work to the region which could add good paying jobs to Western Illinois. Cape Air will also continue providing service from to Marion, Illinois to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport."C… Continue Reading
04.05.11
Durbin: DOT to Obligate $1 Million in Funds for Peoria Warehouse District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, has obligated $1 million in funding - 10% of the federal funding that was awarded - for the Peoria Warehouse District project. This move to begin obligating funds as soon as possible comes in response to Durbin's request to obligate $10 million in funding for the Peoria Warehouse District project - and the nearly $400 million funding for other Illinois transportation projects - to … Continue Reading
03.29.11
Durbin to LaHood: Obligate Illinois Transportation Funds to Save Illinois Jobs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, urging him to obligate as soon as possible nearly $400 million in Illinois transportation funding. Obligating - making a legal commitment to allow a project to move forward - this funding could potentially keep eight Illinois projects safe from rescission under the House Republican's 2011 Budget plan. "Over the past two years, communities in Illinois have successfully com… Continue Reading