Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Military and Veterans
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $4.1 Million in Federal Assistance to Support Quincy Veterans Home, Speak with New IDVA Director
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded $4,156,722 to the State of Illinois to support the cost of 2016 renovations of the domestic water system for legionella control at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy (IVH) and help support ongoing improvements at the facility. Durbin and Duckworth also spoke today with the new Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, Stephen … Continue Reading
May 02, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Rauner Administration's Plans For Next Steps At IVH Quincy
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the release of Governor Bruce Rauner's plan of action for ensuring the safety of residents, family, and staff at the Illinois Veterans' Home (IVH) Quincy: "The need for a detailed plan of action is critical and long overdue given the multiple outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease at IVH Quincy that have sickened more than 65 residents and killed 13 over the past three years. … Continue Reading
April 25, 2018
Durbin Statement On New Air Force Report That National Guard Border Deployment Hurts Readiness, Costs Military Families
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), vice chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement on a new report by the U.S. Air Force entitled, "National Guard Role in Enhanced Border Security," which examined prior deployments of the National Guard to the southern border: "With this report, the Secretary of the Air Force says clearly that playing border politics with the lives of the women and men serving in our National Guard is … Continue Reading
April 14, 2018
Durbin Statement On Airstrikes In Syria
SPRINGFIELD-U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on the airstrikes in Syria announced by President Trump: White House Chief of Staff John Kelly called me personally before the President's announcement, and last Tuesday, Defense Secretary Mattis briefed me on the early planning and involvement of our allies, Great Britain and France. I supported President Obama's decision to retaliate when Assad first used chemical weapons. The Senate Foreign … Continue Reading
April 13, 2018
Durbin, Bustos Announce New Guidance from Army to Improve Rock Island Arsenal Competitiveness
ROCK ISLAND - U.S Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today announced new guidance from the Army that will help manufacturing at the Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) remain competitive with the private sector and maintain a reliable workload. The new guidance will ensure that the RIA is given fair consideration for every Army acquisition purchase and require all private sector companies to look at the RIA's Joint Manufacturing & Technology Center (JMTC) as a … Continue Reading
March 28, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth Highlight How Additional Federal Funding For Veterans Could Help Improve Quincy Veterans' Home, Protect Residents From Legionnaires' Disease
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) outlined today how additional federal funds secured in last week's omnibus funding agreement could be used by the State of Illinois to protect the Illinois Veterans' Home (IVH) in Quincy from Legionnaires' Disease and construct a new Veterans' Home in Chicago. Duckworth pushed for more than half a billion dollars in additional funding for construction at state-run Veteran health facilities like IVH Quincy, all of … Continue Reading
March 15, 2018
Durbin Meets With CDC, Continues To Press For Swift Action At IVH Quincy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Dr. Anne Schuchat, Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to get an update on the Legionnaires' disease outbreak at the Illinois Veterans Home (IVH) Quincy. Given the failure by the Rauner Administration to adequately address this ongoing crisis, Durbin, along with Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), pressed CDC to take a greater leadership role in helping to address the public health crisis at IVH Quincy … Continue Reading
March 15, 2018
Durbin, Hassan Call On Ashford University To Halt New GI Bill Enrollments Amid Questions Of Eligibility
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) today called on Bridgepoint Education - Ashford University's parent company - to immediately halt new GI Bill enrollments at Ashford until their eligibility is resolved with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). With its future GI Bill eligibility in doubt, Ashford University announced on November 14, 2017, that it would voluntarily "suspend new enrollment of veteran students utilizing GI Bill benefits." Stunningly, … Continue Reading
March 07, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth To Rauner: We Need More Than Vague Assurances That Next Steps Are Coming At IVH Quincy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today once again urgently requested Governor Bruce Rauner's detailed plan of action for ensuring the safety of residents, family, and staff at the Illinois Veterans' Home (IVH) Quincy. They also pressed Rauner's Administration to accept the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) offer of technical assistance-including a site visit to IVH Quincy-in tandem with ongoing VA financial support as well as expert assistance … Continue Reading
February 16, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth Press IDPH For Additional Information On The Latest Three Cases Of Legionnaires' At IVH Quincy
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today urged the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to once again take every available precaution and pursue every available option in order to prevent and mitigate further outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease at the Illinois Veterans' Home (IVH) Quincy. Durbin and Duckworth also pressed IDPH to uphold a commitment to transparency so that residents, families, and staff at IVH Quincy, as well as the public, can have … Continue Reading
February 15, 2018
Given Failure By Rauner Administration, Durbin, Duckworth Urge CDC To Take Greater Leadership Role In Mitigating Legionnaires' Disease At IVH Quincy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today pressed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to take a greater leadership role in helping to address the public health crisis at Illinois Veterans' Home (IVH) Quincy. Since 2015, more than 60 people have contracted Legionnaires' disease at IVH Quincy and 13 people have died as a result. Just this week, three more laboratory-confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease were confirmed among IVH … Continue Reading
February 14, 2018
Durbin Meets With VA Secretary, Offers VA Expert Assistance To Help Mitigate Legionnaires' From Illinois Veterans' Home Quincy
WASHINGTON - One day after two new cases of Legionnaires' disease were confirmed at the Illinois Veterans' Home (IVH) Quincy, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin to discuss the ongoing legionellosis outbreaks at IVH Quincy. Secretary Shulkin offered VA expert assistance - those who have a history of addressing Legionnaires' outbreaks across the country - to help mitigate legionellosis outbreaks at IVH Quincy. Durbin … Continue Reading
February 13, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On new Legionnaires' Disease Cases Confirmed At illinois Veterans' Home Quincy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after two new cases of Legionnaires' disease were confirmed at the Illinois Veterans' Home (IVH) Quincy: "Last month, the Governor stated that his goal was 'zero instances of Legionella infection' at IVH Quincy. However in the month that has passed, we have seen nothing from the Governor's office - no final plan of action, no formal funding request, just more publicity stunts and … Continue Reading
January 25, 2018
Durbin Announces Nominees for Service Academies
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the names of young men and women whom he has nominated to attend four of the nation's service academies. "I am again honored to nominate some of the best and brightest young men and women from all across Illinois to attend our nation's service academies," Durbin said. "These individuals are the leaders of tomorrow, and I have no doubt that they will make their families and their country proud." The academies include U.S. … Continue Reading
January 18, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth To Rauner: Where's Your Plan For IVH Quincy
WASHINGTON - Following Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner's press conference on January 10, 2018, where he stated that his new goal for the Illinois Veterans' Home (IVH) Quincy was to reach "zero instances of Legionella infection," U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today pressed Gov. Rauner for a copy of his Administration's plan of action to reach his stated goal. "This goal, and the need for a detailed plan of action, is critical and long overdue given the multiple … Continue Reading
January 10, 2018
Durbin Statement On Gov. Rauner's Comments At Illinois Veterans' Home Quincy, Illinois General Assembly Hearing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after Governor Bruce Rauner concluded his stay at the Illinois Veterans' Home (IVH) Quincy and the Illinois General Assembly held a joint legislative hearing to examine the ongoing legionellosis outbreaks at IVH Quincy and the State's response: "While IVH Quincy is owned, operated, and managed by the State of Illinois, I've supported IVH Quincy through my role in the federal government and will continue to do … Continue Reading
January 05, 2018
Durbin Visits Illinois Veterans' Home at Quincy
QUINCY - In the midst of growing concerns about Legionnaires' disease at Illinois veterans' homes, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today visited Illinois Veterans' Home (IVH) at Quincy to meet with leadership and tour the facility. Durbin called for improved transparency from Governor Rauner and his Administration in disclosing all new cases of Legionnaires' disease and has urged the state to comply with all recommendations from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent future … Continue Reading
December 21, 2017
Durbin Speaks With CDC Director About Deadly Situation At Quincy Veterans' Home
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald about the Illinois Veterans' Home (IVH) Quincy and the continued outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease, which have taken the lives of 13 veterans and residents over the past three years. During today's call, Dr. Fitzgerald noted that CDC staff visited IVH Quincy in early December and took samples. The laboratory results from those tests will be completed … Continue Reading
December 13, 2017
Durbin, Reed Press DoD to Release Contracts between For-Profit Colleges & Military Installations
WASHINGTON-Following a Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) investigation published in September 2017 revealing a contract between the University of Phoenix and Fort Campbell, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Jack Reed (D-RI) requested copies of all currently effective and expired contracts between Department of Defense (DoD) military installations and for-profit colleges going back to Calendar Year 2012. In their report, CIR found that the University of Phoenix paid Fort Campbell … Continue Reading
December 12, 2017
Durbin-Harris Legislation to Prevent Discharge of Non-Citizen Military Personnel Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON-Legislation by U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), vice chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) to retain military personnel in the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program until their background screenings are completed was signed into law today by the President as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). "When the military can't find American citizens with the skills it needs to … Continue Reading