Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $12 Million For MidAmerica Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Scott Air Force Base/MidAmerica Airport has been awarded $12.6 million in federal grant funding to support the final phase of the airport's terminal expansion project. The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and federal COVID-19 relief packages. "Investing in our airports is key to Illinois' economic success, especially as communities recover… Continue Reading
05.18.21
Durbin: McConnell Would Rather Cut Taxes For The Ultra-Wealthy Than Repair America's Crumbling Infrastructure
WASHINGTON - One day after the deadline for filing personal income taxes in America, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) "red line" when it comes to funding President Biden's American Jobs Plan, which would make historic investments in transportation infrastructure, clean energy, and broadband. When Senator McConnell met with President Biden last week, he said that raising taxes on the largest corporations is a "red line" wh… Continue Reading
05.14.21
Durbin Discusses Federal Electric Vehicle Research And Electric Vehicle Infrastructure In Illinois
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) held a virtual news conference to discuss electric vehicles (EV) and EV infrastructure opportunities in Illinois. President Biden's American Jobs Plan (AJP) proposes a $180 billion investment in research and development and another $174 billion investment in electric vehicles and charging stations. With Rivian's EV manufacturing facility in Normal, cutting-edge battery research at Argonne National Laboratory, and a statewide push for chargin… Continue Reading
05.13.21
Durbin Statement On Confirmation Of Postal Board Of Governors Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the confirmation of U.S. Postal Board of Governors nominees Ronald Stroman and Amber McReynolds: "With Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's irresponsible leadership impacting vital postal service, it's more important than ever that the Postal Board of Governors serve as a check on DeJoy's actions. I'm confident in the abilities and qualifications of Ronald Stroman and Amber McReynolds to help … Continue Reading
05.12.21
Durbin, Quigley, Rubio, & Duckworth Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Map Urban Flooding & Help FEMA Better Assess Risks
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) today introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2021. The bill would enhance the mapping of urban flooding to prevent associated damage and help give cities and towns the tools they need to address flooding on the a local level. "Climate change brings … Continue Reading
05.11.21
Durbin: Illinois Has The Chance To Become Leader In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today took to the Senate floor to highlight the exciting progress in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in Illinois. On the Senate floor, Durbin spoke about his recent visit to the Rivian plant in Normal, Illinois, ahead of the manufacturing facility beginning production of its inaugural line of electric trucks, SUVs, and delivery vans. Durbin emphasized that Rivian's new plant, which was redeveloped from an idle Mitsubishi plant, is a … Continue Reading
05.11.21
Durbin Statement On Treasury Department Guidance On State And Local Government Funding In American Rescue Plan
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Department of the Treasury announced guidance for state and local government funding included in the American Rescue Plan: "Democrats and President Biden provided these federal relief dollars to prevent layoffs and save essential services. State and local governments will finally be able to fill revenue gaps to keep our teachers, first responders, and state employees serving our communities … Continue Reading
05.06.21
Durbin: Investment In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure In American Jobs Plan Key To Maintain U.S. Global Economic Edge
NORMAL - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Mayor Chris Koos to discuss the need to invest in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure as part of President Biden's American Jobs Plan (AJP). The AJP proposes a $174 billion investment in EVs, including new tax incentives to buy American-made EVs and a grant program for state and local governments and the private sector to build 500,000 charging stations by 2030. "Normal is stepping up to the plate to ensure the United States c… Continue Reading
05.05.21
Durbin Discusses American Rescue Plan, Infrastructure With Macomb Area Chamber Of Commerce
CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce to discuss the local impact of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and how President Biden's American Jobs Plan can help the region address its infrastructure priorities. The ARP included $13.7 billion in state and local funding for Illinois, which will be key to preventing further job losses and keep teachers, healthcare workers, and first responders on the payroll. The flexible fundi… Continue Reading
04.29.21
Durbin, Payne, Jr. & Blumenthal Introduce Rail Passenger Fairness Act To Improve Amtrak On-Time Performance
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ-10), and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced today the bicameral Rail Passenger Fairness Act to help improve Amtrak on-time performance (OTP) around the country. The bill provides Amtrak with the ability to take the freight railroads to court in order to enforce current law, which requires freight railroads to provide preference to passenger rail operating on their rail lines… Continue Reading
04.29.21
Durbin Statement On Senate Passage Of Drinking Water And Wastewater Infrastructure Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate passed the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021: "The Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act will begin to address the epidemic of lead in our nation's drinking water. It also offers towns like Centreville, Illinois, a chance to fix their broken pumps, shore up drainage ditches, and begin addressing water issues that have been overlooked for far too lon… Continue Reading
04.28.21
Durbin Meets Virtually With USPS Board Of Governors Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met virtually with President Biden's nominees for the United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors - Ronald Stroman, former Deputy Postmaster General; Anton Hajjar, former General Counsel for the American Postal Workers Union; and Amber McReynolds, former CEO of the National Vote at Home Institute. During their meeting, Durbin asked the nominees for their thoughts on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's 10-year operational plan, whi… Continue Reading
04.27.21
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Introduce Bill To Reduce Distracted Driving And Protect Roadside First Responders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), today introduced legislation designed to reduce crashes involving distracted driving and save lives, including preventing first responder roadside deaths. The bill would require the implementation of life-saving safety technologies on all new vehicles, including federal fleet vehicles, fund the deployment of digital alert technology for first … Continue Reading
04.27.21
Durbin Joins Illinois Road & Transportation Builders Association For Virtual Town Hall
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined the Illinois Road & Transportation Builders Association to talk about the details of President Biden's American Jobs Plan and discuss removing the $10,000 cap on the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. Durbin also answered questions from members about federal investment in Illinois transportation projects, including the extension of the Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line. "After four years of hearing about Infrastruct… Continue Reading
04.26.21
Durbin: America Can't Pinch Pennies When It Comes To Investing In Our Future
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today highlighted important provisions in President Biden's American Jobs Plan and spoke about the importance of going big and bold when investing in the future. During his speech, Durbin thanked Republican colleagues for their counter-proposal to the President's American Jobs Plan, but said it fails to meet a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform America and win the 21st century. "We need an infr… Continue Reading
04.22.21
Durbin Talks Infrastructure With Champaign County First
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with Champaign County First to discuss how President Biden's American Jobs Plan can help the county address its infrastructure priorities through significant investment in transportation, clean energy, and workforce development. During their conversation, Durbin and Champaign County leaders touched on several current infrastructure projects in the county that Durbin has supported, including the renovations to The Yards… Continue Reading
04.22.21
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos, McNamara Applaud AAR Corp And United Airlines For Partnership At Rockford International Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), and Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, today applauded the announcement from Illinois-based AAR Corp that United Airlines will use its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Rockford International Airport (RFD) as a new maintenance location. The agreement with AAR Corp and United Airlines to use RFD's AAR facility as the maintenance location for Unite… Continue Reading
04.21.21
Durbin To McConnell: Broadband And Child Care Expansion Is Common Sense, Not Socialist
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today highlighted important provisions in President Biden's American Jobs Plan, including the expansion of broadband service and child care. In response to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Durbin said Republican attempts to block or oppose President Biden's American Jobs Plan aren't in the best interest of the country. "To think that the Republican definition of infrastructure in America doe… Continue Reading
04.13.21
Durbin, Maloney Introduce Bicameral Bill To Increase Access To Broadband Service For Low-Income Americans
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY-18) today introduced a bicameral bill that would increase access to broadband service for low-income urban and rural Americans. The Promoting Access to Broadband Act would help states increase awareness and enrollment in the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Lifeline Program. The Lifeline Program helps low-income households pay for their telephone and broadband service charges by… Continue Reading
04.09.21
Durbin Meets With Decatur And Macon County Leaders To Discuss Infrastructure Package
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke today with Decatur and Macon County leaders to discuss local transportation priorities ahead of a federal infrastructure bill. President Biden's recently announced American Jobs Plan is centered on a more than $600 billion investment in traditional transportation infrastructure including $115 billion for roads and bridges, $80 billion for rail, $85 billion for transit, and $25 billion for airports. "Illinois' highways, waterways, … Continue Reading