Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
Durbin Urges Chrysler to Expand in Belvidere
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged Chrysler to consider selecting Belvidere, Illinois as the location for the company's planned operational expansion. In a letter to the CEO of Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne, Durbin touted the quality workforce and expertise at the Belvidere Assembly Plant which has reinvented itself many times over the years."For 45 years the employees at the Belvidere Assembly Plant and the Belvidere Satellite Stamping Plant have… Continue Reading
05.27.10
Durbin Praises Agreement to Preserve $119 Million in Highway Funding for Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today that he is "very pleased" that an agreement was reached between House and Senate negotiators over a proposal to revise federal highway formula funding. The original proposal would have caused 13 states and the District of Columbia to lose more than $515 million in total highway funding, including a $119-million reduction in funding for Illinois. "The compromise agreed to today is a win for all involved … Continue Reading
05.26.10
Durbin Tells Governor: Fight to Retain $119 Million in Transportation Funding for Illinois Continues
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - With $119 million in federal highway funding for Illinois in jeopardy, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said he continues to push to curtail efforts by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to change federal highway funding formulas - a proposal that would be harmful to Illinois highway projects. Durbin said he is pushing for a compromise that would allow Illinois and other impacted states to keep all previously committed highway fun… Continue Reading
05.25.10
Durbin, Senators Introduce Bill to Help Transit Agencies Reverse Fare Hikes and Service Cuts
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in introducing a bill to authorize emergency funding for transit agencies to help reverse fare increases and service cuts. "Nearly two million daily riders and more than 15,000 employees in the Chicago area have been impacted by budg… Continue Reading
05.06.10
Durbin Announces Nearly $2.9 Million in FEMA Grants for Illinois Fire and Ambulance Services
[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 17 grants totaling $2,858,359 to fire protection and ambulance services throughout Illinois for vehicle acquisition, operations, and safety. "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,… Continue Reading
05.05.10
Durbin Asks IG to Investigate Potential Misuse of Federal Funds by Metra Director
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After learning that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has increased its oversight of federal funds that have been allocated to Metra, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Department of Transportation's Inspector General, Calvin Scovel, to investigate whether any federal funds given to Metra were misused or used in any unauthorized way. Durbin's request comes just days after Metra's Board or Directors voted to hire an outside legal counsel … Continue Reading
05.04.10
Durbin Announces Funding for Illinois Bike Trails
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the Illinois recipients of $2,850,000 in federal transportation funding for bike and pedestrian trail enhancements and improvements. Durbin secured this funding in 2009 as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act. "Bike trails are growing in popularity across our state," said Durbin. "Incorporating bike paths, bike lanes and sidewalks into the transportation system encourages physical activity and healthy lif… Continue Reading
04.30.10
Illinois Transportation Secretary and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin Announce Grand Opening of MacArthur Boulevard Extension
[SPRINGFIELD] - Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig was joined by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin and other state and local officials at a ceremonial ribbon cutting today to mark the grand opening of the MacArthur Boulevard Extension and the new interchange with Interstate 72. The $46.9 million dollar project created 525 construction related jobs and provides access to approximately 900 acres of land to the north of I-72 for new development. … Continue Reading
04.23.10
Durbin Announces $4.5 Million in Grant Funding for O'Hare Noise Mitigation at Roosevelt Elementary
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $4,500,000 grant to the City of Chicago for noise mitigation at Roosevelt Elementary School in Park Ridge, Illinois, roughly two miles from O'Hare International Airport. This funding will be used to replace existing windows with acoustic windows units, revise mechanical and electrical systems, and install acoustic ceilings, vestibules, and… Continue Reading
04.08.10
Durbin: $26 Million Federal Investment in Rend Lake Pays Dividends in Jobs and Economic Development
[BENTON, IL] - Rend Lake visitors will soon enjoy improved campsites, better roads, well-staffed recreation facilities with fully restored services, and a new visitor's center, thanks to a $26 million infusion of funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today. The federally-funded projects at Rend Lake have created or sustained more than 200 jobs, helping to achieve the Recovery Act's primary goals of getting Americans back to work … Continue Reading
03.23.10
Durbin: Senate Approves Durbin Amendment to Encourage Sustainable Airport Design
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The U.S. Senate approved an amendment authored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) that would help the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) create a standardized, voluntary set of best practices to help airports operate and build sustainable facilities. Durbin's amendment - approved as part of the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act - would establish a working group to develop these standards and help create a voluntary r… Continue Reading
03.23.10
Durbin Announces a Nearly $1.2 Million DOT Recovery Act Grant for Job Training in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $1,189,635 On the Job Training/Supportive Services grant to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Today's funding will be used to fund apprenticeships and training centers for Illinoisans pursuing careers in the transportation, engineering, and construction sectors. This funding is part of nearly $12 million in grants announced by the … Continue Reading
03.22.10
Durbin: Senate Approves Durbin Amendment to Study Partnerships Between Air and Rail Travel
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The U.S. Senate today approved an amendment authored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) requiring the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study ways to increase coordination between air and passenger rail travel. Durbin's amendment was approved as part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act. The amendment specifically identifies codeshare agreements as one way that airlines and… Continue Reading
03.12.10
Durbin Announces More Than $1 Million in Grant Funding for Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $1,079,000 grant to the Springfield Airport Authority. This funding will be used to acquire new land for aircraft approaches, rehabilitate a runway, and improve safety and security at the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois. "The Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is a critical transportation link for the Springfield area," sa… Continue Reading
03.05.10
Durbin: Recovery Act Investment in CREATE Project Means More Jobs for Illinois
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin issued the following statement regarding the $133 million CREATE Englewood Flyover Project, funded through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act: "Unsnarling this bottleneck will stop trains from idling and start moving train traffic more quickly and safely. But this project is not just about saving time, money and cleaning our air. It's about jobs. "The rail industry is already a big employer in Illinois. More than 16,000 freight railr… Continue Reading
03.05.10
Durbin Announces $600,000 in Recovery Act Funding for Rock Island Mass Transit
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $600,000 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District. Today's funding will be used to construct a solar thermal system that will provide hot water for the transit facility's operations and maintenance sections. The solar thermal system will help reduce the Quad Citie… Continue Reading
03.05.10
Durbin Announces $1.5 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Chicago Transit
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Transportation has awarded $1,500,000 in funding to the Chicago Transit Authority for the construction of electrified vehicle stalls that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and unnecessary fuel consumption. "The funding announced today will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Chicago," said Durbin. "As more and more people are choosing to leave their cars at home for their daily commute, hel… Continue Reading
03.05.10
Durbin Announces More than $11.1 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Illinois Transit
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that several Illinois transit projects have been awarded funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This announcement is part of more than $600 million in formula-based Recovery Act funding distributed to almost 200 transit agencies and municipalities by the Department of Transportation to modernize and continue operations, as well as create green jobs. Illinois Department of Tran… Continue Reading
03.04.10
Durbin Announces Nearly $1.5 Million in FEMA Grants 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 17 grants totaling $1,448,822 to fire departments and municipalities throughout Illinois for operations and safety."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 … Continue Reading
03.03.10
Durbin: University of Illinois to Receive $22.5 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Expand Broadband Internet Access
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Commerce (DOC) has awarded $22,534,776 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois to build 187 miles of fiber-optic broadband network in Urbana, Champaign, and Savoy. The funding will also be used to support fiber-to-the-home services in four low-income neighborhoods and provide high-speed connectivity to 143 community anch… Continue Reading