Durbin, Blumenthal, Harkin, Carper, Brown, and Markey Warn Against Dangers of E-Cigs After CDC Release Data Showing an Increase in Use Among Youth

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Ed Markey (D-MA) warned against the dangers of electronic cigarettes after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released new data showing that use of these products has more than doubled among middle and high school students since the 2011-2012 school year. Electronic cigarettes or "e-cigs" are marketed as substitutes for tobacco smoking. However, in addition to r… Continue Reading

Durbin, Bustos Brief Community Members on Progess of Thomson Prison's Activation

[THOMSON, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) met today with local community leaders to brief them on the progress and next steps in the activation of Thomson Prison, which the federal government purchased from the State of Illinois at Durbin's urging last year. The two were accompanied at today's meeting by Bill Dalius, the Assistant Director for Administration of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), who oversees facility and budget development … Continue Reading

Durbin Discusses Potential Military Action in Syria at Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke today at a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to debate the Authorization for Use of Military Force in Syria. During today's hearing, Durbin questioned Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey regarding Syria's capacity for chemical warfare, and the regional response to the ongoing conflict. This morning, Senator Durbin, the Assistant Ma… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on the Situation in Syria

Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today regarding the situation in Syria: "The President gave a powerful and historic speech this afternoon, challenging Congress and the American people to begin a debate about how to respond to the atrocities in Syria. As we decide what, if anything, we will do as nation to respond, the President has called for a national conversation and for Congress to approve any use of force. That is the righ… Continue Reading

Durbin Marks 2-Year Anniversary of Veteran Caregiver Program by Meeting with Participating Families

[HINES, IL] - In recognition of the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Family Caregiver Program, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited the Hines VA Hospital today to meet with veterans and their family caregivers and hear how their lives have changed as a result of the program. The Family Caregiver Program provides technical, financial and practical support to family caregivers of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans seriously injured in the line of duty. It was create… Continue Reading

Springfield to Receive $14.4 Million in Federal TIGER Grant Funds for Carpenter Street Underpass

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - A bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers today announced that the City of Springfield, Illinois has been awarded $14.4 million for the construction of a railroad underpass at Carpenter Street - an important component of the Springfield Rail Improvement Project and the entire Chicago-to-St. Louis passenger rail corridor. In June, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) joined U.S. Representatives Aaron Schock (R-IL-18) and Rodney Davis (R-IL-13) united in sup… Continue Reading

Durbin Introducing Bill to Strengthen Concussion Safety in High School Sports

[CHICAGO] - On the eve of the high school football season's kick-off, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced he will introduce legislation when the Senate reconvenes to strengthen K-12 schools' procedures for preventing, detecting, and treating student-athletes who suffer concussions while competing. "Injuries are a part of all sports, but as we learn more about the long-term effects of concussions and how frequently they are ignored, it is clear we need to do more to confront this … Continue Reading

Durbin, Schneider Discuss Need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

[VERNON HILLS, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) today visited College of Lake County to provide a cross section of community leaders with a briefing on their efforts to enact comprehensive immigration reform and hear from participants regarding their perspective on why reform is needed. A complete list of attendees is attached. "Months ago, I sat down with seven of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to tackle a difficult issue wh… Continue Reading

Durbin Awards Four Medals to Highland Park World War II Veteran

[HIGHLAND PARK] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today presented Dr. Irving Distelheim, a veteran and retired physician, with four medals he earned during his service in France during World War II. Staff in the Senator's Chicago office worked with Dr. Distelheim and the Army to obtain the medals earlier this year. "Dr. Irving Distelheim is a true American hero, and it gives me great honor to recognize him with these decorations," Durbin said. "Today I presented him with four medals recogn… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces a More Than $115,000 Investment in Illinois First-Responder Capabilities

[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 $115,552 in grants to two fire departments and municipalities in Illinois. Today's funding will help support and improve the capability of the departments to respond to fires and other types of emergencies. "When fires or other emergencies occur in our communities, our nation's firefighters and first-responders sta… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More Than $58,000 Investment in Quincy Area Communities to Create Jobs and Boost Development

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $58,165 in Economic Development District Planning funding to the Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials in Quincy, Illinois to create jobs and boost economic development in the region. "Today's funding will help Western Illinois create and implement a plan for continued economic growth - one that leverages new investm… Continue Reading

Durbin: FRA Taking Proactive Steps to Ensure Continued Safety of Metra Riders

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to a letter from U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) committed to increase safety oversight of Metra operations by taking additional steps to ensure that safety rules and regulations are being followed and the lines of communication are open between employees and management on all safety issues. According to a letter sent to Durbin by FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo, the FRA will further exercise its oversight authority by i… Continue Reading

Durbin Urges Law Enforcement to Take Advantage of Federal Gun Tracing Resources

[EAST ST. LOUIS] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on law enforcement agencies to take advantage of the federal gun tracing resources available to help them crack down on gun violence. Crime gun tracing, which allows law enforcement to track guns used in violent crimes from their manufacturer to their first retail purchaser, can help generate leads in criminal investigations and reveal how guns are trafficked into criminals' hands. Last month, Durbin introduced legislation incenti… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Drug Sentencing Reform Speech by AG Holder

Washington, D.C. - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after Attorney General Eric Holder announced reforms related to federal sentencing policy. Under Holder's new policies, some non-violent and lower-level offenders would receive greater flexibility in sentencing. Durbin and Holder discussed the need for reform in federal sentencing last week. "Mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenses have played a huge role in the explosion o… Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with DuPage County Leaders Regarding Immigration Reform

[WHEATON, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Wheaton College to hold a roundtable discussion with a cross section of DuPage County leaders, briefing them on his effort to enact comprehensive immigration reform and hearing from them regarding their perspective on why reform is needed. A list of participants in the forum is attached. "Months ago, I sat down with seven of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to tackle a difficult issue which has defied Congress for decad… Continue Reading

Durbin, Oberhelman Discuss Need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

[PEORIA, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman in Peoria today to discuss the need to reform the country's immigration system. Durbin is a member of the Senate Gang of Eight, which introduced a comprehensive immigration reform bill after months of negotiations earlier this year and worked successfully to pass the bill on a bipartisan basis in June. "Months ago, I sat down with seven of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to tackle … Continue Reading

Durbin, Foster Discuss Need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

[JOLIET, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) today visited St. Patrick's Catholic Church to provide a cross section of community leaders with a briefing on their efforts to enact comprehensive immigration reform and hear from participants regarding their perspective on why reform is needed. "Months ago, I sat down with seven of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to tackle a difficult issue which has defied Congress for decades," Durbin … Continue Reading

Durbin, Foster Discuss Need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

[AURORA, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) today visited Ginger Creek Community Church to provide a cross section of community leaders with a briefing on their efforts to enact comprehensive immigration reform and hear from participants regarding their perspective on why reform is needed. "Months ago, I sat down with seven of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to tackle a difficult issue which has defied Congress for decades," Durbin … Continue Reading

Durbin, Schakowsky: SNAP Benefits Provide Critical Safety New for Country's Most Vulnerable

[CHICAGO] - As the House of Representatives threatens to slash funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) met today with SNAP beneficiaries and program advocates to discuss SNAP's vital importance to the most vulnerable Americans. "At a time when one out of every seven households struggles to keep food on the table, SNAP has responded by providing over 47 million Americans with essential h… Continue Reading

Durbin and Kirk: Defense Appropriations Bill Will Help Ensure Rock Island Arsenal's Long-Term Strength

[ROCK ISLAND, IL] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) said today that the Department of Defense appropriations bill which passed the Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday will give the Rock Island Arsenal the support it needs to remain strong while transitioning into peacetime operations. The legislation, the first which Durbin has passed through the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee since being named chairman earlier this year, contains several provisions to ensure th… Continue Reading