Durbin: CEQ Chair Says Coordinated Response Commander to be Named Within 30 Days

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After a meeting with the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Nancy Sutley, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Obama Administration is working to appoint a Coordinated Response Commander for Asian carp - which Durbin requested in a June 25 letter to the President - within the next 30 days. Sutley also assured Durbin that the Obama Administration views the effort to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes as a top priority. … Continue Reading

Durbin Meets with Illinois Farm Bureau President to Discuss Agricultural Priorities

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Philip Nelson, president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, to discuss the importance of utilizing homegrown biofuels and extending the biodiesel and ethanol tax credits."Illinois farmers are ready, willing, and able to contribute to our energy independence and security. Decreasing our use of Mideast oil and replacing it with Midwest biofuels is good for America," said Durbin. "When we use our state's agricultural expertise to reduce… Continue Reading

Bi-Partisan Group of Lawmakers Team Up to Combat Prescription Drug Abuse

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) along with U.S. Representatives Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Bart Stupak (D-MI) and John Shimkus (R-IL) joined forces to introduce legislation in their respective chambers to reauthorize the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Drug Reporting Act (NASPER), a program critical to combating the abuse of prescription drugs. "Each year more than 20,… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More Than $1.3 Million in Grants for Illinois Museums

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded 10 Museums for America grants totaling $1,319,185 to museums in the Chicago metropolitan area and northern Illinois. These funds will help allow recipient institutions to better serve the public by supporting high-priority activities that support their mission and strategic goals."Illinois is home to many of the nation's finest museums," said Durbin. "Today's fund… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Confirms Coleman for Federal Judgeship in Northern District

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the United States Senate has unanimously confirmed Justice Sharon Coleman to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois."Sharon Coleman has devoted her entire legal career to public service," said Durbin. "Her extensive experience and reputation for fairness and impartiality will be an asset to the Northern District of Illinois. It was an honor recommending her name to President Obama … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces More Than $9 Million in DOT Funding for Illinois Transportation Agencies

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $9,356,359 in grants to Illinois transportation agencies. "Today's grants will allow airports and transit agencies in Illinois make needed improvements and upgrades to help them serve travelers more safely and efficiently," said Durbin. "These important projects will also create good paying jobs throughout Illinois during the current construction season."The following… Continue Reading

Durbin: $35 Million Will Help Reduce Congestion, Expand Access and Promote Economic Development in Chicago

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) commended the Department of Transportation (DOT)'s decision to award a total of $35,650,000 in funding to Chicago transportation agencies for two transit projects that will help reduce congestion, expand access to public transportation and encourage economic development. The funding was part of a nationwide announcement of nearly $300 million in federal funding through the Obama Administration's Livability Initiative. "Many … Continue Reading

Durbin Announces A $116,000 FEMA Grant to Glenwood 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 $116,096 grant to the Glenwood Fire Department in Glenwood, Illinois, for hiring initiatives aimed at increasing the number of frontline firefighters."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 mus… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces A More Than $125,000 FEMA Grant To The Bourbonnais Fire Protection District

[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 $125,956 grant to the Bourbonnais Fire Protection District in Bourbonnais, 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 th… Continue Reading

Durbin Announces a More Than $350,000 FEMA Grant to Taylorville 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 $354,790 grant to the Taylorville Fire Department in Taylorville, Illinois, for hiring initiatives aimed at increasing the number of frontline firefighters."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, … Continue Reading

Durbin Urges Steelworkers and Honeywell to Quickly Settle Labor Dispute

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged the United Steelworkers and Honeywell to quickly reach a settlement on their ongoing contract dispute which has left 220 workers locked out Honeywell's Metropolis, Illinois plant. In a letter to Leo Gerard, President of United Steelworkers and David Cote, CEO of Honeywell International, Durbin acknowledged the shared goal of getting all of the locked out employees back to work and for Honeywell to resume normal … Continue Reading

Durbin Stands Ready to Help Belvidere Win Possible Expansion of Chrysler Plant

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to Belvidere Mayor Fred Brereton and Belvidere City Council today, commending them for their efforts to help grow Chrysler's operations at the Belvidere Assembly Plant. Durbin also pledged to do whatever he could to help finalize plans for a possible expansion.A copy of today's letter can be found below: July 6, 2010Dear Mayor Brereton and Belvidere City Council:I write to you with regard to Chrysler's Belvide… Continue Reading

Durbin: Illinois Delegation Calls on Small Business Administration to Provide Federal Relief in Three Illinois Counties

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) was joined by and joined by members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation today in requesting that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, Karen Mills, to declare individuals and businesses in three Illinois counties - LaSalle, Livingston, and Peoria - eligible for small business disaster loans. "On June 5, 2010, severe storms with extremely high winds and tornadoes moved through north central Illinois. LaSalle, L… Continue Reading

Durbin: U of I-Willard Airport to Receive More Than $1.7 Million Grant for Improvements

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $1,711,425 grant to University of Illinois-Willard Airport in Savoy, Illinois. This grant will be used to fund several important improvements such as the construction of a new runway, the installation of a new guidance system, runway and apron rehabilitation, and a wildlife hazard assessment. "Willard Airport is a critical transportation link… Continue Reading

For-Profit Colleges and Federal Student Aid: Preventing Financial Abuses

Senator Dick Durbin National Press Club June 30, 2010 For-profit Colleges and Federal Student Aid: Preventing Financial Abuses Prepared Remarks I want to thank Tejinder Singh and the National Press Club's Newsmakers Committee for inviting me. I'm here to talk about for-profit colleges and trade schools. Specifically, I want to talk about the rapidly growing number of students enrolled in for-profit schools … the dramatic increase in federal student aid dollars flowing … Continue Reading

Durbin and Missouri Senators Send Letter to VA Regarding St. Louis Veterans Facility

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following the recent revelation that almost two thousand St. Louis area veterans may have been exposed to dangerous diseases through contact with improperly sterilized dental equipment at the John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Kit Bond (R-MO) today sent a letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki outlining their disappointment and deep concern over the incident. "Veterans receiving care a… Continue Reading

Durbin: For-Profit School Raise Concerns That Lawmakers and Administration Must Address

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) raised concerns today that the rapidly growing number of students enrolled in for-profit colleges coupled with a dramatic increase in federal student aid dollars flowing to these schools may create a national crisis in higher education. Durbin made his remarks today in speech before the National Press Club. "There is growing concern that we could be looking at a repeat of the subprime mortgage fiasco, with low-income, hig… Continue Reading

Great Lakes States Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Permanently Prevent Asian Carp From Invading the Great Lakes

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced legislation in the Senate, and Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI) introduced legislation in the House, to permanently prevent Asian carp and other invasive species from entering the Great Lakes. The Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act will require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct and expedite a study detailing engineering options in order to determine the best way to permanently separate the… Continue Reading

Confirmation of Elena Kagan to be a Supreme Court Justice

General Kagan, welcome to you, your family, and friends, and congratulations on your nomination. This isn't your first hearing on a Supreme Court Justice nominee. If my notes are correct, some seventeen years ago you were sitting at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Ruth Bader Ginsburg's nomination to serve on the Supreme Court. Your capacity was as a staff attorney for the chairman of the committee, Joe Biden. So you've seen this exercise as a staffer, and now in this revered… Continue Reading

Durbin: Senate Approves Feinerman for Federal Judgeship in Northern District

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the United States Senate has approved Gary Feinerman, by a vote of 80-0, to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois."Gary Feinerman would be a fine federal judge," said Durbin. "His extensive experience and distinguished record will be an asset to the Northern District of Illinois. It was an honor recommending his name to President Obama and voting on his nomination today."Feinerman… Continue Reading