Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
Durbin Statement On Delay Of Chicago-Rockford International Airport Road Construction
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Greater Rockford Airport Authority announced it would halt construction of a new access road, which is part of the Chicago-Rockford International Airport's expansion, until spring 2022: "I continue to encourage both sides to meet on a solution that is in the best interest of the environment, regional jobs, and economic development. Today's announcement is a good first step." … Continue Reading
October 19, 2021
With Temperatures Forecast To Fall And Energy Costs Projected To Rise, Durbin And Duckworth Join Call For Swift Release Of LIHEAP Heating Help
WASHINGTON - With colder weather around the corner and energy costs projected to precipitously increase this winter, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in leading a bipartisan coalition of 34 Senators in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as swiftly and at the highest level … Continue Reading
October 01, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth, Foster Announce Nearly $600,000 For Joliet Fire Department
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL-11), today announced $593,163 in federal funding for the Joliet Fire Department to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which are vital to firefighters as they respond to emergencies. The funding was awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "Firefighters are called upon day after day to … Continue Reading
September 20, 2021
Durbin, Cantwell Urge DOJ And FAA To Toughen Actions Against Dangerous Airline Passengers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today sent separate letters to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in light of an increase in incidents involving unruly airline passengers. Nearly three-fourths of these incidents have reportedly been related to federal mask mandates and have put … Continue Reading
September 10, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth, Lightfoot Announce $55 Million In New Markets Tax Credits For Chicago Development Fund
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, today announced that the Chicago Development Fund has been awarded $55 million in New Markets Tax Credits from the U.S. Treasury Department to invest in projects and businesses in low-income communities in Chicago. The New Markets Tax Credit Program, established by Congress in December 2000, helps economically distressed communities attract private investment capital and fill … Continue Reading
August 24, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Federal Grants For Three Rural EMS Agencies in Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that three rural fire and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in Illinois have been awarded a total of $381,091 in federal grant funding. This federal funding was created by Durbin's Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act, which was signed into law in 2018. Today's funding supports EMS agencies in responding to the opioid epidemic, COVID-19 pandemic, and other rural health challenges, … Continue Reading
August 23, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Lead Illinois Delegation In Urging SBA To Grant Economic Injury Disaster Declaration For Ford County
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led all members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) requesting that Ford County be granted an Economic Injury Disaster Declaration following severe flooding earlier this month. The letter comes in support of Governor J.B. Pritzker's request after his office determined that the severity of flood damage was beyond the capacity of … Continue Reading
August 16, 2021
Durbin Discusses Illinois' Position As Electric Vehicle Leader With EVBox
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with the leadership of EVBox to discuss the Amsterdam-based company's new headquarters in Libertyville, Illinois. On the call, Durbin spoke about the Senate-passed bipartisan infrastructure package, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the $7.5 billion for EV charging infrastructure that will help the U.S. and Illinois invest in the future of cleaner, electric transportation. Durbin reiterated his … Continue Reading
August 11, 2021
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of Budget Resolution
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Senate passed a budget resolution, the first step in consideration of the $3.5 trillion reconciliation proposal and President Biden's Build Back Better agenda later this year: "Senate Democrats stood together to take the first step towards consideration of a bill that would make generational investments in our future-investments that address climate change, close the income and … Continue Reading
August 10, 2021
Senate Passes Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos' Protecting Roadside First Responders Act In Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation included in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act designed to reduce crashes involving distracted driving and prevent first responder roadside deaths. Authored by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), the Protecting Roadside First Responders Act requires the implementation of life-saving, crash avoidance safety technologies including … Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Spending Bills With Illinois Priorities Secured By Durbin, Duckworth
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced three Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills for Energy and Water, Agriculture, Rural Development and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. Durbin and Duckworth worked to secure various priorities for Illinois in these appropriations … Continue Reading
August 03, 2021
Durbin: We Must Protect Communities From "Forever Chemicals" Contamination
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor about a recent story in the Chicago Sun-Times that revealed the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - also known as "forever chemicals" - in water systems in Chicago, Lake Forest, Waukegan, and South Elgin. Durbin called on the Senate to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, which includes $10 billion to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water and wastewater, … Continue Reading
August 02, 2021
Durbin: Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Makes Smart And Necessary Investments In America
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal. The deal is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-build our nation's roads, railways, transit, and bridges; to make high-speed internet and clean water a reality for every household in America; and to create millions of good-paying, family-supporting union jobs across the country. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal is currently being debated on the Senate … Continue Reading
July 29, 2021
Durbin Discusses Electric Vehicle Infrastructure And Production With Ford And Lion Electric
WASHINGTON - This week, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Ford North America CEO Kumar Galhortra and Lion Electric CEO Marc Bedard to discuss federal priorities in electric vehicle (EV) production and infrastructure. Durbin spoke about his efforts to secure federal funding for EVs in the bipartisan infrastructure deal and a potential reconciliation bill. He also urged the companies to consider Illinois as a location for future battery plants and EV production. "President … Continue Reading
July 29, 2021
Durbin: Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Will Keep Illinois Families Safe, Make Historic Investments In America
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal. The deal is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-build our nation's roads, railways, and bridges; to make high-speed internet and clean water a reality for every household in America; and to create millions of good-paying, family-supporting union jobs across the country. During his speech, Durbin spoke about a recent bridge collapse in Seneca, Illinois, due … Continue Reading
July 27, 2021
Durbin Sits Down With Illinois Speaker Of The House Emanuel "Chris" Welch
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel "Chris" Welch to discuss federal and state priorities for Illinois. During their discussion, Durbin and Welch spoke about the ongoing infrastructure negotiations and maintaining Illinois' position as a leader in the electric vehicle industry. Also joining today's meeting was Illinois State Representative Kam Buckner (D-IL-26). "Our government works best when it works together. I'm … Continue Reading
July 21, 2021
Durbin Statement On Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework Vote
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the failed Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework: "For months, Senators negotiated this bipartisan infrastructure framework. It is unfortunate we could not agree to merely start debate today. "Illinois needs the federal funding promised in this bipartisan infrastructure framework right now. We are ready to put people … Continue Reading
July 15, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Bill To Bring Fairness To FEMA Disaster Declaration Process
WASHINGTON - Following a stretch of severe weather events in Illinois - such as flooding and tornadoes - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced the introduction of the Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act. The bill would reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster declaration process to make it more transparent and equitable to small and rural communities in larger states like Illinois. Due to FEMA's … Continue Reading
June 30, 2021
Durbin, Duckworth, Newman Announce $19 Million For Archer Ave Grade Separation Project
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Congresswoman Marie Newman (D-IL-03) today announced $19.13 million in federal funding for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to support the Archer Avenue and the Belt Railway of Chicago (BRC) Grade Separation Project, which will help eliminate road-rail conflicts, avoid first responder delays, and reduce traffic congestion on Chicago's Southwest Side. The funding was awarded through the U.S. … Continue Reading
June 29, 2021
Durbin Visits Metrolink, Discusses Future Of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
ROCK ISLAND - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited the Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District's (MetroLINK) Bus Depot to learn about their electric bus fleet and charging infrastructure and call for an increased federal investment in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. MetroLINK's electric bus expansion has been funded by nearly $10 million in federal funding, including a $2.9 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration that Durbin helped secure last year. … Continue Reading