Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Jobs and the Economy
Durbin: Congress Approves More Than $9 Million for Illinois Agriculture Projects
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that Congress has approved $9,034,000 for Illinois projects with the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The bill will now go to President Obama for his signature. The Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA includes funding for the following Illinois projects and programs: • Biotechnology Research Development Cente… Continue Reading
10.05.09
Durbin Announces $13.6 Million in Funding for O'Hare Airport Security
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded a $13,600,000 grant to Chicago O'Hare International Airport for the construction of a new inline baggage handling system designed to enhance efforts to strengthen security at the airport. "Expanding the use of the inline baggage handling technology will strengthen security in Chicago and destinations around the country," said Durbin. "Bring… Continue Reading
09.30.09
Durbin Announces $28 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Energy Efficiency Improvements
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $28,740,800 in funding to three Illinois communities through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help improve energy efficiency, reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions and create green jobs locally. "Creating jobs and securing our environmental future are at the heart of the Recovery Act," said Durbin. "This funding will make a significant… Continue Reading
09.29.09
Durbin Announces Nearly $1.5 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Implement Electronic Health Records
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $1,496,671 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Illinois health networks to implement electronic health records. The HHS's Health Resources and Services Administration awarded $27.8 million in Recovery Act funding to health centers nationwide for implementation of electronic health records and other health informat… Continue Reading
09.21.09
Durbin Announces $6.58 Million in DOT Grants for Illinois Transit
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that several Illinois transit projects have been funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Today's funding is part of the Department of Transportation's announcement of $100 million in Recovery Act funding for 40 transit agencies across the country that are pursuing cutting edge environmental technologies to help reduce global warming, lessen America's dependence on oil and create green jobs. … Continue Reading
09.17.09
Durbin: Senate Approves Over $27 Million in Transportation and Economic Development Funding for Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Senate has approved $27,004,744 in federal funding for Illinois transportation and economic development projects. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 appropriations bill for the Department of Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations includes funding for the following projects: Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration: • CTA Circle Line,… Continue Reading
09.14.09
Durbin Urges Auto Manufacturers to Join Dealership Talks
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent letters to CEO's of General Motors and Chrysler today, urging them to participate in talks with the nation's leading dealership groups regarding the planned closure of over one thousand dealerships nationwide. "I write to urge [General Motors, Chrysler] to participate in a constructive dialogue with the key groups representing the hundreds of dealerships that received wind-down letters and are scheduled to close by… Continue Reading
09.14.09
Durbin: US Commerce Secretary Locke Announces $4.5 Million in Recovery Act Grant
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the decision by the U.S. Commerce Secretary, Gary Locke, to award a $4.5 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Ill., to help refurbish an existing building at the Institute's University Technology Park for use as a technology business incubator facility. The project, made possible because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 20… Continue Reading
09.09.09
Durbin: If Dismal Housing Numbers Continue, Congress May Be Forced to Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement today after a new report showed the Treasury Department's Home Affordable Modification Program had a fourth consecutive month of low foreclosure modifications. Last month, only 124,000 mortgage modifications were started; 3 million homeowners are currently eligible for modifications under the program. "Waiting for banks to 'volunteer' to end this foreclosure crisis is a waste of time. … Continue Reading
09.09.09
Durbin Meets with Rockford and Harlem Township Officials
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Rockford Township Supervisor Michael Goral, Rockford Township Trustee Greg Tuite and Harlem Township Supervisor Doug Aurand to discuss local economic issues.… Continue Reading
09.02.09
Durbin: Cash for Clunkers Demand Allows Chrysler Plant to Hire 850 Employees
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after learning of Chrysler's plan to hire 850 employees at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in anticipation of increasing consumer demand for fuel-efficient cars. "Just a few months ago, Chrysler's Belvidere plant was on the verge of a complete shut down that would have had a serious economic impact the region. Now, the company is facing a dramatic increase in demand for fuel-efficient veh… Continue Reading
09.02.09
Illinois to Receive More Than $200 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Unemployment Insurance Modernization
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced Illinois will receive $200,767,125 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for unemployment insurance modernization. The funds will allow the Illinois Department of Employment Security to pay unemployment benefits and to deliver employment services. Today's funding is in addition to the $100,383,562 in Recovery Act funding that Illinois received in April. "Unemployment benefits are urgently nee… Continue Reading
08.27.09
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces $2 Million in Recovery Act Grant
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the cities of Centralia and Wamac, Ill., to help make roadway updates to improve access to Centralia Industrial Park #1. The project, made possible because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is expected to create additional jobs and private investment in the region. "Improvements to the Centralia industrial park will enhance the re… Continue Reading
08.17.09
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces $1.6 Million in Recovery Act Grant
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced a $1,592,627 Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Canton, Ill., to help build roadways and sewer service for a new bio-medical business park. The project, made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is expected to create additional jobs and generate private investment in the region. "A new bio-medical facility will enhance Canton's ability to attract ne… Continue Reading
08.06.09
Durbin Announces Senate Approval of Legislation to Extend Hydroelectric Project at Melvin Price Locks and Dam
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the United States Senate approved legislation to authorize the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) to extend the license for the proposed hydroelectric power project at Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton, IL. The legislation, sponsored by Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) and passed in the House of Representatives last month, will now go to President Obama for his signature. "This project b… Continue Reading
08.06.09
Durbin Launches Bipartisan Midwest High Speed Rail Caucus
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that formation of a bipartisan, bicameral Midwest Congressional High Speed Rail Caucus to advance the Midwest's plan for high speed rail. The Caucus will also provide an avenue to keep members of Congress and staff educated and engaged on the Midwest's effort by hosting briefings on relevant issues such as reviving the domestic rolling stock manufacturing industry and expanding Amtrak service to new cities a… Continue Reading
08.06.09
Durbin: Mail Processing Operation to Remain in Quincy
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In a letter to Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Postmaster General Jack Potter announced the termination of the Area Mail Processing study that was under way concerning the possible consolidation of operations of the mail processing and distribution center in Quincy, Illinois. Potter also assured Durbin that no positions will be eliminated at the facility due to the study. "This announcement is good news for the employees of the mail processing center… Continue Reading
07.29.09
Durbin Announces $37 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Community Health Centers in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that 36 community health centers in Illinois will receive $ 37,435,380 in grant funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Capital Improvement Grants (CIP) grants, allocated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will support the construction, repair and renovation of health centers nationwide as well as allow health centers to purchase new health information technolo… Continue Reading
07.28.09
Durbin: Recovery Act Funding Will Put 50 More Cops on the Beat in Chicago
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois law enforcement agencies will receive a total of $25,867,708 in Recovery Act funding under the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP). Today's funding will be used to hire or rehire 106 new police officers in Illinois - 50 of which will be in Chicago. "At a time when tight budgets have forced many law enforcement agen… Continue Reading
07.27.09
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces $616,441 Recovery Act Grant
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $616,441 Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Village of Milledgeville, Ill., to help build roadways and sewer service for a new industrial park. The project, made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is expected to create additional jobs and generate private investment in the region. "The Obama Administration is committed to creating jobs, encouraging innovation and … Continue Reading