Press Releases
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. … Continue Reading
July 07, 2010
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 … Continue Reading
July 07, 2010
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 … Continue Reading
July 07, 2010
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 … Continue Reading
July 07, 2010
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 … Continue Reading
July 06, 2010
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 … Continue Reading
July 02, 2010
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, … Continue Reading
July 02, 2010
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 … Continue Reading
June 30, 2010
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 … Continue Reading
June 30, 2010
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 … Continue Reading
June 30, 2010
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, … Continue Reading
June 30, 2010
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 … Continue Reading
June 28, 2010
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 … Continue Reading
June 28, 2010
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 … Continue Reading
June 28, 2010
Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on Chicago's Handgun Laws
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Supreme Court handed down its opinion in McDonald v. City of Chicago, a decision likely to result in the overturning of longstanding handgun laws in Chicago and Oak Park."Much will be made of the Supreme Court's finding today that Americans have the right to own a gun for self-defense anywhere they live. But the Court also found that the right to keep and bear arms is not an unlimited right. … Continue Reading
June 28, 2010
Durbin Statement on the Death of Senator Robert C. Byrd
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the death of Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV):"Senator Byrd carried a copy of our Constitution close to his heart every day. It was a constant reminder of his life's mission to honor the values which gave us this great nation.No one in the history of the Senate could match Byrd's thunderous oratory; his sense of history; his determination to teach every President the limits of his … Continue Reading
June 25, 2010
Durbin Calls for Immediate Action on Asian Carp; Asks President to Appoint Federal "Coordinated Response Commander" to Lead Fight
[CHICAGO, IL] - Following the discovery of a Bighead Asian Carp on the wrong side of the electric barrier six miles from Lake Michigan, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to President Obama today asking him to immediately appoint a federal Coordinated Response Commander for Asian carp. By appointing a Coordinated Response Commander, the President would signal that the effort to prevent the Asian carp from establishing itself in Lake Michigan is a national priority and would put in place a … Continue Reading
June 25, 2010
Durbin Urges Federal Agencies to Accelerate Use of Effective Asian Carp Control Methods
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following the discovery of a Bighead Asian Carp on the wrong side of the electric barrier six miles from Lake Michigan, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged four federal agencies that have been coordinating the implementation of the Obama Administration's Asian Carp Control Framework to step up their efforts and use all methods available to fight this invasive species, including the immediate use of fish poison in the area where the live Asian carp was found.Durbin … Continue Reading
June 24, 2010
Durbin Announces $520,000 in Funding for Pulaski Infrastructure Development
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has invested $520,000 in the Village of Pulaski, Illinois' Industrial Park Infrastructure project. This investment will fund roadway and other infrastructure improvements to serve the SISCO Regional Industrial Park located in Pulaski. The funding is expected save 32 jobs, create an additional 167 jobs and an additional $2 million in private … Continue Reading
June 24, 2010
Durbin Commends Decision to Award a Nearly $6 Million Grant to Support Businesses in Northern Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the Department of Commerce (DOC)'s decision to award a $5.9 million for a program administered by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater that will provide comprehensive entrepreneurial support to businesses in Northern Illinois in order to create jobs and spur economic development."This project brings together six counties across two states, four universities, three technical colleges and a number of non-profit and private … Continue Reading