Durbin Supports Chrysler Application for Funding to Create or Retain Over 2,000 Jobs

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to the Department of Energy in support of Chrysler's application for funding to help finance facility, tooling, and equipment upgrades designed to raise production capabilities at the Belvidere, Illinois plant. The project will allow Chrysler to retain 1,950 jobs on two full shifts. The upgraded facilities would also support more than 500 contract employees and create the possibility of adding a third shift. On July 6… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on TCF's Court Challenge of Interchange Law

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after Minnesota-based TCF National Bank filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Durbin-authored law regarding interchange fees. The bipartisan language passed as part of the Wall Street reform act, requires the Federal Reserve to determine if the current interchange fee structure is both "reasonable and proportional" to the real cost of processing a debit card transactio… Continue Reading

Durbin: FutureGen 2.0 Site Selection Process an Opportunity for Illinois Communities to Lead Nation in Technology and Job Creation

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) called the announcement of a competitive site selection process for FutureGen 2.0 an exciting opportunity for Illinois communities to be on the forefront of clean coal research and technology. Earlier today, the FutureGen Industrial Alliance announced details of a process that will lead to the selection of an Illinois site for the storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) collected at an Ameren Energy Resources power plant in Meredosia, Illinois. The F… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Nearly $10 Million in DOT Grant Funding for Public Transportation in Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration has awarded a total of $9,868,000 in grant funding to five municipal governments and transit districts outside of Northeastern Illinois. The funding will be used to improve and maintain public transit systems, as well as renovate and expand public transit buildings. The Illinois Department of Transportation will administer this gran… Continue Reading

Durbin: Bill to Award Muhammad Yunus Congressional Gold Medal Signed by President Obama

[WASHINGTON, DC] - President Obama signed a bill to award Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus a Congressional Gold Medal today. The bill, introduced by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT), recognizes Dr. Yunus as a leading figure in the effort to fight poverty and promote economic and social opportunity. "Dr. Muhammad Yunus believes overcoming poverty is not just a gesture of charity; it is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental… Continue Reading

Durbin Statement on DOJ Interchange Settlement with Visa and MasterCard

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Department of Justice announced they had reached a settlement with Visa and MasterCard that would require the two companies to allow merchants to offer discounts, incentives, and information to consumers to encourage the use of payment methods that are less costly. "I'm pleased that the Department of Justice has recognized what we have long argued - that Visa and MasterCa… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $58.9 Million in DOT Grants for Illinois Transit

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that several Illinois transit projects have received a total of $58.9 million in grants through the United States Department of Transportation. • Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago: $32,000,000 to provide rehabilitation at existing bus garages and at bus heavy maintenance facility. This project will target systems such as roofs, hoists, inspection pits, electrical system upgrades, and other elements. The project will be i… Continue Reading

Durbin Celebrates Dedication of Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center

[NORTH CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) celebrated today the inauguration of the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, the nation's first fully integrated Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense health care facility. Durbin authored the provision authorizing the merger of the North Chicago VA Medical Center and Naval Station Great Lakes Health Clinic to create the Lovell Federal Health Care Center in 2009 after first introducing legislation in 2008… Continue Reading

Durbin: White House Nominates Bohac to be U.S. Marshall in Illinois' Central District

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that President Obama has nominated Kenneth Bohac to serve as U.S. Marshal in the Central District of Illinois. "Through many years of service to Illinois and his country, Kenneth Bohac has established a reputation for responsibility and professionalism in the law enforcement community," said Durbin. "His knowledge and experience will be a great asset to the Central District. It was an honor recommending Kenneth's name to … Continue Reading

Durbin, Manzullo, Foster Tout Benefits of Partnering with Rockford to President of Embry-Riddle

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressmen Don Manzullo (R-IL) and Bill Foster (D-IL) today met with the President of Embry-Riddle University, Dr. John Johnson, to discuss bringing the University's new campus to Rockford, Illinois. All three Members of Congress stressed the mutual benefits of a partnership between Rockford - a world-class city and growing aerospace center - and Embry-Riddle. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), former board member of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Un… Continue Reading

Durbin Applauds Oblibation of $1 Billion in Recovery Act Funding for FutureGen 2.0 in Illinois

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today applauded the announcement by the Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, that the Department of Energy has signed final cooperative agreements with the FutureGen Industrial Alliance and Ameren Energy Resources. These agreements formally commit $1 billion in Recovery Act funding to build FutureGen 2.0 in Illinois. The FutureGen 2.0 project will help to position the United States as a leader in innovative technologies for reducing carbon emission… Continue Reading

Durbin Pushes for Extension of Program that Funds "Put Illinois to Work"

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today asked the United States Senate to approve a fully paid-for extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Contingency Fund - created as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - which provides funding for the "Put Illinois to Work Program". Senate Republicans immediately rejected the measure which supports nearly 250,000 jobs in 37 states, including 26,000 jobs in Illinois. The TANF program is… Continue Reading

New Law Will Give Small Businesses Better Access to Credit and Spur Job Creation

[CHICAGO] - Illinois small businesses will receive a much-needed lifeline that will improve their access to credit and jumpstart job creation following passage of the Small Business Jobs Act, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Melissa Bean said today. The legislation, which President Obama will sign into law on Monday, provides incentives for community banks to extend small businesses the capital they need to grow their businesses and hire additional workers, as well as $12 … Continue Reading

Congress Passes Durbin-Holt Bill Awarding Yunus Gold Medal for Microfinance Work

(Washington, D.C.) - The United States Congress has passed a bill introduced by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) in the Senate and U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) in the House of Representatives to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Muhammad Yunus in recognition of his contributions to the fight against global poverty and to promote economic and social change. The bill passed the Senate unanimously last year, the House of Representatives last night, and will now be sent to Pr… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Provisions of Health Care Reform Going into Effect Today

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that new protections to prevent health insurance companies from denying Illinois families coverage when they need it most are going into effect today, six months after the health care reform legislation's enactment. "We will now see the tangible benefits from the groundbreaking healthcare reform bill we passed earlier this year. As a result of the new law, insurance companies will no longer be able to deny children coverage be… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces a Nearly $190,000 FEMA Grant to the Calumet City Fire Department

[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 $187,849 grant to the Calumet City Fire Department in Calumet City, 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 the … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Nearly $1.4 Million in DOJ Funding for Illinois Public Safety and Domestic Violence Prevention Programs

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $1,384,845 to four Illinois entities for public safety as well as domestic violence prevention and support programs. The following entities will receive funding: Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, Chicago:$685,121 in funding to provide safety services and programs for persons with Alzheimer's and their families, as well as law enforcement agencies. … Continue Reading

Durbin-Corker Water for the World Act Passes Senate

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The Water for the World Act, introduced by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), passed the Senate today and was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Water for the World Act places water in the forefront of America's development priorities, seeking to reach 100 million people around the world with sustainable access to clean water and sanitation over the next six years. "Access to safe drinking water… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces $3.8 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Green Housing in Rockford

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded two grants totaling $3,800,000 to the Rockford Housing Authority through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The grants will be used to help increase energy efficiency and decrease environmental impact of Rockford's public housing properties. "Today's funding will help the Rockford Housing Authority increase energy efficiency… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces Provisions of Healthcare Reform Going into Effect

[SPRINGFIELD] - New protections to prevent health insurance companies from denying Illinois families coverage when they need it most will go into effect this week, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today. Seven provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will go into effect on September 23, six months after the healthcare reform legislation's enactment. "We're now starting to see tangible benefits from the groundbreaking healthcare reform bill we passed earlier this year.… Continue Reading