Durbin, Kirk: FRA Takes Action to Increase Track Safety During Extreme Weather Events

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) commended the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for stepping up efforts to increase track safety during extreme weather events - like the excessive heat earlier this month that caused a Union Pacific train derailment and bridge collapse at the Northbrook-Glenview border. Earlier today, the FRA issued a safety advisory which contained guidance that would help ensure railroads and safety agencies are adequately inspect… Continue Reading

Senators Call for Plan to End Unreasonable Fees and Practices Associated with Some Campus Debit Card Programs

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) called on institutions of higher education to develop a plan to put an end to a number of unreasonable fees and practices associated with campus debit and prepaid card programs that are being increasingly pushed by financial institutions. According to a report released in June from the U.S. Publi… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $4.7 Million Federal Grant for Chicago Rockford Airport

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) has received $4,792,402 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Airport Improvement Program for runway and taxiway rehabilitation. Upgrades to the runway will allow the airport to accommodate current and additional air cargo activity. The Chicago Rockford International Airport is currently ranked one of the most active air cargo airports in the United S… Continue Reading

Durbin Asks the STB to Improve Amtrak On-Time-Performance

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After a recent report showed that the main cause of Amtrak train delays stem from freight railroad operations, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today asked the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to increase efforts to improve Amtrak on-time-performance. Under Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, the STB gained new authorities to investigate the causes of Amtrak delays and enforce on-time performance standards. "In 2011, Amtrak carried a record 30 millio… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces a $4.2 Million Investment in Flood Protection Efforts for DeKalb County

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that DeKalb County has been awarded a $4,200,610 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for flood protection efforts. "This project will protect the health, safety and welfare of DeKalb County residents," said Durbin. "By supporting flood control efforts, this federal funding will help reduce costs to the local government for emergency rescue, infrastructure repair, debris removal and emergency shelters… Continue Reading

Durbin, Conyers: Corporations Must Put Workers and Retirees First in Bankruptcy

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI) introduced legislation today to curb abuses that deprive employees and retirees of their earnings and retirement savings when businesses collapse. The Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act would make several changes to Chapter 11 bankruptcy law, putting workers' interests near the top when companies file for bankruptcy. Senators Franken (D-MN),… Continue Reading

After For-Profit School Loses Regional Accreditation, Durbin Urges Increased Scrutiny og Ashord University

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged the Higher Learning Commission to reconsider its approval of Ashford University's request for accreditation. Earlier this week, the publicly-traded company Bridgepoint Education disclosed that the regional accreditor, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), had denied Ashford University in its bid for accreditation. WASC found that spending on student recruitment at Ashford University far outweighed the amount of mone… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk: Illinois Judicial Nomination for Northern District Receives Senate Committee Hearing

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) said that a hearing was held today in the Senate Judiciary Committee on the nomination of Thomas Durkin to fill a pending vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois. His nomination is expected to receive a vote in the committee within the next few weeks. If approved, his nomination will receive a vote by the full Senate. "Tom Durkin has the ability, experience and integrity to serve with … Continue Reading

Durbin: Time for Congressmen to End Excuses and Increase Pressure on the Only Person Holding Up Sale of Thomson

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - While calling on the Obama Administration to send a new reprogramming request to Congress for the acquisition and activation of the Thomson Correctional Center, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said that members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation should stop making excuses and start increasing pressure on Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) - the only person standing in the way of the federal government's purchase of the prison. In a letter to Attorney General Eric … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces a More Than $200,000 FEMA Grant to Chatham Firefighters

[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 a $235,272 grant to the Chatham Fire Protection District in Chatham, Illinois for hiring initiatives aimed at increasing the number of frontline firefighters. "Day after day, our nation's firefighters are called upon to protect communities in Illinois and around the country," Durbin said. "It's our job to ensure th… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $15,195 in DOJ Funding to Enhance Law Enforcement Capabilities in Carbondale

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $15,195 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to support law enforcement officers in Carbondale, Illinois. "Our nation's law enforcement officers 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 the best tools possible to do their … Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk: After Train Derailment FRA Must Do More to Ensure All Railroads Are Equipped to Deal with Excessive Weather Events

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After excessive heat was cited as a factor in the recent Union Pacific train derailment and bridge collapse at the Northbrook-Glenview border, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today called for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to step up efforts to ensure that railroads have the proper training, inspection plans and protocol to deal with excessive weather events - like last week's extreme heat. They also urged FRA to make their investigation int… Continue Reading

Federal Transportation Bill Creates Jobs While Investing in Illinois Mass Transit, Highways, Durbin Says

[CHICAGO, IL] - Approximately 68,000 Illinois jobs will be created or saved and the state's highway and mass transit systems will be improved as a result of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act signed into law last Friday, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said at a news conference at Ogilvie Transportation Center today. Durbin and U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello fought for Illinois priorities as the only members of the Congressional Delegation appointed to the conference committee that… Continue Reading

Durbin: Postmaster General Should Follow Provision Included in Two Senate Bills by Proving Cost Savings Before Closing Quincy and Rockford Mail Processing Facilities

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe urging him to adhere to a provision - included in the Senate Financial Services and General Government Appropriations passed last month by the Senate Appropriations Committee - that would require the Postal Service to conduct a new audit that shows cost savings before moving forward with plans to close or consolidate facilities that were recently found to be efficient. The provision, origina… Continue Reading

Durbin Celebrates Rock Island Arsenal's 150th Anniversary

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Rock Island Arsenal, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) entered a statement into the Congressional in honor of the Arsenal's impressive history and its impact on the Rock Island community and the nation. "I thank those who serve at the Arsenal today and those who have served in the past. And also to those who have join me in honoring Rock Island Arsenal in its 150 year anniversary celebration," said Durbin. "Rock Island is about … Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk Introduce Resolution Congratulating Northwestern Women's Lacrosse Team on National Championship

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) on Friday introduced a resolution congratulating the Northwestern Wildcats on winning the 2012 NCAA Women's Lacrosse National Championship. Led by head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller and reigning national player of the year Shannon Smith, the Northwestern Wildcats defeated Syracuse University 8-6 on May 27, 2012. The Northwestern team has won seven of the last eight women's lacrosse national championships. "This year, the … Continue Reading

Durbin, Costello Support Final Transportation Bill

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today voted for H.R. 4348, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012. Durbin and Costello were the only conferees from Illinois helping to craft the final version of this legislation, which provides an increase in Illinois' share of highway and transit funding. Enacting the bill into law will remove the uncertainty that has surrounded transportation spending during short-term funding exte… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Decision Upholding the Affordable Care Act

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act: "In one of the most closely followed decisions in its history, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Obama's Affordable Care Act was clearly constitutional." "This decision means that we can move forward to address the unsustainable increase in health care costs and expand the protection of health insurance coverage to over… Continue Reading

Durbin, Kirk Resolution Commending Rotary Internation for Polio Eradication Efforts Passes the U,S, Senate Unanimously

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The United States Senate last night unanimously approved a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) commending Rotary International and other organizations for their efforts to prevent and eradicate polio around the world. The resolution, S. Res. 473, encourages the international community to remain committed to the effort to fully eliminate polio worldwide. Polio was successfully eradicated from India in January, 2011, and is currently … Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on the Supreme Court's Decision Not to Rehear Citizens United

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Supreme Court refused to revisit the Citizens United decision: "Citizens United has created a field day for American Oligarchs to dump millions of dollars into campaigns," Durbin said. "Today the Supreme Court refused to even reconsider this disastrous decision. Congress must now enact common sense reforms that cannot be overturned by the Supreme Court, and I will chair a hearin… Continue Reading