Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
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 m… Continue Reading
03.29.21
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 b… Continue Reading
02.02.21
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 support… Continue Reading
01.27.21
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 ch… Continue Reading
01.13.21
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 transporta… Continue Reading
10.14.20
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 sedimenta… Continue Reading
10.08.20
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 sur… Continue Reading
10.07.20
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 rail… Continue Reading
10.02.20
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 i… Continue Reading
09.23.20
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 Northern… Continue Reading
09.18.20
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 double-trac… Continue Reading
09.16.20
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 clear… Continue Reading
09.10.20
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. "Se… Continue Reading
09.10.20
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 a… Continue Reading
09.04.20
Durbin Discusses Broadband Access During COVID-19 Pandemic With Leadership Council Of Southwestern Illinois
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today virtually joined the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois for their monthly Board of Directors meeting to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the region and expanding access to broadband. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimates that 21 million Americans lack high-speed internet access, but with the FCC relying on flawed broadband mapping data, the number of Americans without internet access is likely much higher. To … Continue Reading
09.02.20
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $25.5 Million For Airport Improvements Around Illinois
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced a total of $25.5 million in federal funding for airport improvements around Illinois. The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants and will be used for a variety of critical infrastructure and safety projects. "Investing in our airports is key to Illinois' economic success, esp… Continue Reading
09.02.20
Durbin Discusses COVID-19 Fiscal Relief For State And Local Government With Southern Illinois Mayors Association
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke by phone with the Southern Illinois Mayors Association today about the estimated $7 billion loss in state and local revenue Illinois will see by next summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on municipal services and projects. While the Republicans' proposal for the next COVID-19 relief package includes no new state or local funding, Durbin has called for significantly increasing funding to state and local governments, regardless … Continue Reading
08.28.20
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $3 Million In FEMA Reimbursement Funding For COVID-19 Emergency Response In Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive $3 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offset costs related to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal funding was awarded to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) as reimbursement for implementing training and other safety measures at assisted-living, nursing, and rehabilitation facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Throughout the… Continue Reading
08.27.20
Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues To Call On FCC To Bolster Lifeline Program To Keep Students Connected As The School Year Begins
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in leading a group of 22 other Senators in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to boost its Lifeline program to keep students connected as millions return to school both virtually and in person. Since 1985, the FCC's Lifeline program has made basic internet and telephone service more affordable for low-income Americans and has had bipartisan support. "As mil… Continue Reading
08.20.20
Durbin Examines How USPS Changes Have Affected At-Risk Communities In Getting Medications Delivered By Mail
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to a group of Illinois organizations-representing hundreds of thousands of seniors, patients with disabilities and complex conditions, and health care providers-asking how the recent United States Postal Service (USPS) changes have affected or may affect at-risk communities in getting prescription medications delivered by mail. In a letter to the Illinois chapter of the AARP, Illinois State Medical Society, Illinois Health and Hosp… Continue Reading