Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
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
09.22.09
Durbin Meets with Peoria Mayor to Discuss High Speed Rail and Local Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Mayor of Peoria, Jim Ardis to discuss high speed rail and other local priorities.… 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: Legislation Allowing FRA to Assist IDOT in 10th Street Feasibility Study Passed by Senate
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the approval of his amendment allowing the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to provide technical and financial assistance to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and local officials for a feasibility study of the Tenth Street corridor as a route for consolidated freight and passenger rail operations in Springfield, Illinois. The amendment was added to the 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urb… 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 Announces $350,000 in DOT Funding for O'Hare Noise Mitigation
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $350,000 in funding to the Board of Education of the City of Chicago District 299 for noise mitigation measures at Farnsworth Elementary School near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. This grant will fund sound proofing efforts - including acoustic window unit, ceiling, vestibule and doorway installment, mechanical and electrical system revision and existing soundproofing related asbes… Continue Reading
09.14.09
Durbin Announces $2.5 Million in DOT Funding for Springfield Airport
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded a $2,516,560 grant to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois. The grant will provide funding for a project to widen a taxiway. "Widening of this taxiway will put Illinoisans to work immediately on a project that will contribute to the long term ability of the Springfield Airport to serve travelers safely and efficiently," said Durbin. … 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
08.06.09
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
07.30.09
Durbin: Senate Committee 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 Appropriations Committee 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: … Continue Reading
07.29.09
Durbin Discusses Importance of Air Service in Downstate Communities at Senate Confirmation Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today discuss the importance of air service in rural communities while introducing Susan Kurland of Chicago, Illinois to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee which was holding a hearing on her nomination by President Obama to be Assistant Secretary of Aviation and International Affairs. Durbin has introduced three Presidential nominees to this committee: Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood; Administ… Continue Reading
07.27.09
Durbin Announces More Than $6 Million in FEMA Grants for Chicago Transit
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made $6,539,988 in grants available for Chicago area transit security. "The funding announced today will help increase passenger safety along Chicago area transit lines that provide nearly two million rides each week day," said Durbin. "As more and more people are choosing to leave their cars at home for their daily commute, we must ensure that public transit is not only… Continue Reading
07.16.09
Durbin Announces One-Year Extension for Firefighters at 183rd
[WASHINGTON, DC] - The F-16 maintenance mission and the National Guard firefighter unit at Springfield's Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport has been granted a one-year extension through September 2010, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today. The Director of the Air National Guard, General Harry Wyatt informed Durbin of the temporary extension of the 183rd Fighter Wing's F-16 maintenance mission which will keep open the option to find a permanent flying mission at Spring… Continue Reading
07.15.09
Durbin, Costello: DOT Will Maintain Air Service in Marion, Quincy, Decatur
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will require Great Lakes Airlines to provide air service in Marion, Quincy and Decatur with no interruption until a new carrier is found. In letters sent to Durbin and Costello, the DOT announced that it has already begun the process of soliciting proposals from air carriers interested in providing service in the downstate communi… Continue Reading
07.09.09
Durbin, Costello Urge DOT to Begin Search for New Air Carrier in Quincy, Decatur, and Marion
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Jerry Costello (D-IL) today asked the Department of Transportation to begin soliciting proposals from air carriers interested in providing service in the communities of Quincy, Decatur and Marion. In a letter to the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, the Illinois members expressed disappointment with Great Lakes Airlines - the current service provider's - inability to fulfill their original commitme… Continue Reading
07.08.09
Durbin Unveils 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, today unveiled the subcommittee's appropriations package for fiscal year 2010. The bill covers $46.4 billion in overall spending for a number of agencies within the Executive Branch; the Federal Courts; District of Columbia; and independent agencies including the nation's financial services regulators. "White-collar crooks … Continue Reading
07.07.09
Durbin Announces $675,000 in DOT Funding for Springfield Airport
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded a $675,379 grant to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois. The grant will provide funding for the following five projects at the airport: • Rehabilitation of the terminal building lighting. The existing lighting is past its useful life and inefficient. The new lighting will be more efficient and reliable; • Acquisition of … Continue Reading
07.02.09
Durbin: FAA Should Follow Recommendations to Mitigate Air Traffic Controller Fatigue
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement the recommendations found in a Department of Transportation, Inspector General Report on air traffic controller fatigue released earlier today. Citing a December 2007 GAO Report which pointed to controller fatigue as a key issue affecting runway safety at the nation's busiest airports, Durbin requested this investigation into conditions at three Chicago air traffi… Continue Reading
06.25.09
Durbin Announces $94 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Metra Repairs
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Metra a $94,222,481 grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. "The Recovery Act funding announced today will create good paying jobs in Illinois and increase the appeal of public transit as an affordable, reliable, environmentally friendly alternative to car travel," said Durbin. Last week, Metra was awarded a $46.6 million grant for bridge rehab… Continue Reading
06.19.09
Durbin Announces $46 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Metra Repairs
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Metra a $46,603,124 grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Today's funding will be used for bridge rehabilitation and reconstruction specifically on the Electric District and the Union Pacific North Line. The funding will also be used for the replacement of fiber optic cable on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe commuter rail line. "Today's funding … Continue Reading