Durbin to Host Sister Philip Neri Crawford for Pope Francis' Address to Joint Meeting of Congress

[SPRINGFIELD] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that he has invited Sister Philip Neri Crawford, a sister from the Dominican Order in Springfield as his sole guest to His Holiness Pope Francis' address to the Joint Meeting of Congress on September 24, 2015. Pope Francis will be the first Pope to ever address a joint meeting of Congress. "Sister Philip is a good friend who has given her life to the Dominican order," Durbin said. "Her order taught our kids at Sacred Heart Aca… Continue Reading

Durbin, Bustos Announced $2.1 Million Investment in Quad City International Airport

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) announced $2,142,944 in federal funding for infrastructure improvements and upgrades at Quad City International Airport. The grants were awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration. "Airports and reliable air service are crucial to the economic success of Illinois communities large and small," said Durbin. "If we are going to be a great leader i… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $1.16 Million Investment in Central Illinois Regional Airport

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $1,163,954 in federal funding for infrastructure improvements and upgrades at Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. The grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration. "Airports and reliable air service are crucial to the economic success of Illinois communities large and small," said Durbin. "If we are going to be a great leader in the worl… Continue Reading

Durbin Joins DeLauro, Levin, Reed, Doggett, Whitehouse, Warren in Urging Treasury Secretary to Take Action on Inversions

[WASHINGTON, DC]-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI), Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) in writing to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew today, in the wake of three corporate inversions in just the last month, urging him to publish an annual list of inverted companies and use executive authority to crack down on these tax … Continue Reading

Durbin: Illinois to Join New Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following a meeting with the Illinois Farm Bureau, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has named Illinois a finalist to receive funding through the new Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP). Through this program, the USDA is making up to $100 million available in grants to states like Illinois that are testing innovative ways to distribute higher blends of renewable fuel. Durbin and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) w… Continue Reading

CTA Awarded $1.25 Million in Federal Funding to Continue Improvements to Red & Purple Line

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today announced that the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will receive $1.25 million in funding through the Federal Transit Authority (FTA)'s Transit-Oriented Development Pilot Planning Program. This funding was made available through the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), a transportation bill passed by C… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Over $450,000 in Federal Funding to Assist Victims of Sexual Assault in Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded a $459,058 grant to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority to support rape crisis centers and other nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that provide essential services, direct intervention, and related assistance to victims of sexual assault. These organizations play a vital role in assisting sexual assault victims through the healing process, as well as a… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Vote in Favor of Iran Nuclear Agreement

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after voting to not advance a resolution of disapproval of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran: "Make no mistake, the reason Iran came to the negotiating table was the sanctions regime imposed by the United States and our allies around the world. We put pressure on them and said if you're going to continue to pursue the development of a nuclear … Continue Reading

Durbin & Kirk: White House Nominates Gilmore to Be U.S. Marshal in Illinois’ Northern District

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced that President Obama has nominated Edward Gilmore to serve as U.S. Marshal in the Northern District of Illinois. "Edward Gilmore will bring a wealth of law enforcement and managerial experience to the position of U.S. Marshal," said Durbin. "His knowledge and experience will be a great asset to the Northern District. It was an honor to recommend Edward's name to President Obama and I lo… Continue Reading

Durbin: Support for Iran Nuclear Agreement Builds in Senate

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As the Senate begins debate on the Iran Nuclear Agreement, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Assistant Democratic Leader, spoke on the Senate Floor today to discuss the deal to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran negotiated by the United States, our allies, and Iran earlier this year. Over the past seven weeks, Durbin has led the effort to build support for the deal in the Senate, convening meetings between Senators and nuclear experts, Administration officials, and ambassadors … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $753,000 in Federal Funding for Illinois First-Responders

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - 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 grants totaling $753,310 to communities throughout Illinois. Today's funding will support and improve the capability of each department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "This federal funding will ensure that when fires or other emergencies occur in our communities, our nation's firefighters a… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk: SBA Makes Federal Relief Available for Illinois Small Businesses Impacted by Severe Summer Storms

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) announced today that President Obama has issued a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Declaration for Grundy and Iroquois Counties, which will allow residents and businesses in the region severely impacted by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes earlier this summer to receive SBA loans. The President's action will ensure that eligible homeowners, renters, and businesses have access to loans to help repair or… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $3.8 Million in Federal Funding to Support Illinois Justice Programs

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded a total of $3,801,900 in grants to support the establishment or enhancement of several justice system programs in Illinois. "Today's funding is an important investment in the Illinois justice system, and in the safety and security of communities throughout our state," said Durbin. "These initiatives will provide vital assistance to those who have been the victims of crimes … Continue Reading

Durbin: Illinois Awarded $917,000 in Federal Funding to Strike Back at Prescription Drug Overdose Epidemic

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Illinois Department of Human Services has received $917,661 in federal funding through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention Program. The new program provides states like Illinois with resources and support to advance comprehensive state-level interventions for preventing prescription drug overuse, misuse, abuse, and overdose. More information about the program is availabl… Continue Reading

Durbin Warns Prospective Students About Deceptive For-Profit Colleges

[CHICAGO] - As a new school year begins, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today warned prospective students about the perils of for-profit colleges and called on the U.S. Department of Education to use its full authority to end abusive practices and improve student outcomes. While for-profit colleges enroll only about 10% of all college students, they take in 20% of the Department of Education's federal student aid funds and account for a disproportionate 44% of student loan defaults. "The col… Continue Reading

Following Senators’ Urging, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Announces Additional Action to Protect Consumers from the Dangers of Deadly Powdered Caffeine

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following calls from a group of United States Senators to ban the retail sale of powdered caffeine and require better product labels, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued warning letters to five powdered caffeine distributors, requiring them to revise their labels to clarify serving sizes, potency, and risks associated with the use of powdered caffeine. After a New York Times report detailed the prevalent use of caffeine inhalers to deliver powdered… Continue Reading

Durbin, Schakowsky, U.S. Army Corps, MWRD, and Other Local Officials Cut Ribbon on Levee 37

[MOUNT PROSPECT, IL] - Hundreds of homes and businesses along the Des Plaines River will be better protected from flooding with the completion of Levee 37 construction, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and other local officials announced today at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the project. Levee 37 will provide protect… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More Than $14,000 in Federal Funding to Support Community Policing Efforts in Adams County

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $14,409 in funding through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to support law enforcement efforts and improve community policing in Adams County and Quincy, Illinois. The City of Quincy will use their share of the grant to purchase body worn cameras for their police officers. Adams County will use their portion of the funding to purchase radio equipmen… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Federal Investment in Health Care Services in Quincy

QUINCY, IL - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that many seniors and low-income families in and around Quincy will soon see expanded access to health care services as the result of a federal investment of $650,000 from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to Preferred Family Healthcare (PFH). The grant will help PFH, a federally qualified health care center (FQHC), create a community health center in Quincy, providing a much-needed medical home to medically-unde… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk Lead Illinois Delegation Call for Federal Relief for Small Businesses Impacted By Severe Summer Storms

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) were joined by the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation today sending a letter to President Obama asking him to issue a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Declaration for Grundy and Iroquois Counties, which will allow residents and businesses in the region severely impacted by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes earlier this summer to receive SBA loans. These loans provide assistance to homeowners, r… Continue Reading