Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
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 … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
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 … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
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 … Continue Reading
April 21, 2021
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 … Continue Reading
April 13, 2021
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 … Continue Reading
April 09, 2021
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, … Continue Reading
April 07, 2021
Durbin Discusses American Rescue Plan, Infrastructure With Carbondale Area Leaders
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met virtually today with Mayor Mike Henry of Carbondale, Mayor Will Stephens of Murphysboro, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Chancellor Austin Lane, and local economic development officials to discuss the state and local funding included in the American Rescue Plan (ARP), local projects, and higher education issues. The legislation includes $13.7 billion in state and local funding for Illinois, with Jackson County receiving an estimated $11 … Continue Reading
March 29, 2021
Durbin, Davis Introduce Bill To Make Broadband And Computer Technology More Affordable
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07) today announced introduction of their Computer and Internet Access Equity Act. The bill would connect American families and students to the internet by making broadband and computer technology more affordable. "Broadband and computer technology are necessities in America today, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. But for too many, these services are a luxury," Durbin said. "My … Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Durbin Discusses Supporting Workers with Secretary of Labor Nominee Marty Walsh
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, President Joe Biden's nominee to be Secretary of Labor. During their Zoom call, Durbin and Walsh discussed the importance of supporting working families - especially those who are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic - and prioritizing policies that will rebuild the middle class and expand economic opportunity to all. "Mayor Walsh was a former leader of a labor union and he knows what we must do to … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Durbin Discusses Importance of Passenger Rail With New Surface Transportation Board Chair Marty Oberman
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Marty Oberman, President Joe Biden's new Chair of the Surface Transportation Board (STB). During their Zoom call, Durbin and Oberman discussed the importance of improving Amtrak On-Time Performance (OTP) and enforcing the new Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) OTP rule that sets a new metric for measuring Amtrak delays caused by freight rail interference. "Marty Oberman is a friend and I'm glad President Biden has chosen him to … Continue Reading
January 13, 2021
Durbin Discusses Infrastructure with Pete Buttigieg, Biden Nominee for Secretary of Transportation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Pete Buttigieg, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Secretary of Transportation. During their Zoom call, Durbin and Buttigieg discussed the need to work together to pass an infrastructure package that invests in our economy and puts Americans back to work. They also discussed expanding diversity in infrastructure jobs, Amtrak On-Time Performance, and the need for additional COVID relief for the transportation industry and … Continue Reading
October 14, 2020
Durbin: Army Corps Gives Final Approval To Begin Quincy Bay Restoration Project
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after being informed by the Army Corps that the Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division has approved the Quincy Bay Restoration Project to receive federal funding through the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program: "I know how important this project is for Quincy and today's news is a major step forward in the effort to restore the Bay. This project will reverse the impact that … Continue Reading
October 08, 2020
Durbin Meets With Illinois Manufacturers Association
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke by phone with members of the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) to discuss the necessity of additional COVID-19 relief and infrastructure investment. Recently, Congress passed a one year extension of surface transportation programs as the FAST Act, the current surface transportation reauthorization bill, expires this year. Earlier this summer, the House passed a $1.5 trillion infrastructure package, which included a $500 billion … Continue Reading
October 07, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $1.18 Million For CTA Safety Improvements
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $1,183,091 in federal funding to support safety improvements for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), will support CTA's Station Third Rail Safety Enhancement Pilot Project, which would add additional safety features on the third rails in the vicinity of station platforms, including non-conductive side boards on both sides of the third … Continue Reading
October 02, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $3.2 Million In FEMA Reimbursement For Flooding Recovery
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois has been awarded a total of $3,248,722 in federal funding to offset costs related to the historic flooding that occurred from February 24 to July 3, 2019. The funding, awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will go to the Illinois Department of Transportation to help cover the costs of emergency response and flooding prevention efforts in Springfield. "I saw firsthand the … Continue Reading
September 23, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Announce $5.8 Million For Chicago Rockford International Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), today announced $5.8 million in federal funding for Chicago Rockford International Airport. The funding, which is from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), will be used for the construction of a larger cargo apron to meet growing demand. "Chicago Rockford International Airport is not only a vital transportation asset, it's an economic driver for all of … Continue Reading
September 18, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $10 Million For Springfield Rail Improvement Project
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the City of Springfield has been awarded $10 million in federal funding for the Springfield Rail Improvement Project. Today's investment, awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program, will fund the replacement of two existing rail bridges at the South Grand Avenue and Cook Street underpasses with … Continue Reading
September 16, 2020
Durbin Meets With Mississippi Valley Army Corps Commander To Urge Funding For Quincy Bay
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division Commander Major General Diana Holland to push the Corps to select the Quincy Bay Restoration Project for funding through the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program. Durbin has repeatedly pushed the Army Corps for funding to restore Quincy Bay, one of the largest natural bays of the Upper Mississippi River. "The environmental need for the Quincy Bay project is … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $20 Million For Metro East Port Improvements
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $20.8 million in federal funding for the St. Louis Bi-State Regional Ports Improvements Project, which will upgrade ports in the Metro East and St. Louis region. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) BUILD grant program. "This federal funding will help improve ports that are integral to the Metro East's economy and the nation's freight transportation network," Durbin said. … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth, Pritzker Announce $20 Million Federal Grant For Joliet Transportation Project
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Governor JB Pritzker today announced that the City of Joliet has been awarded $20 million in federal funding to support the I-55 at IL 59 Access Project. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) BUILD grant program. "This federal funding will help improve safety and ease congestion, while supporting local jobs and economic growth around Will County," Durbin said. "Senator Duckworth … Continue Reading