Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Transportation and Infrastructure
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Announce Nearly $3 Million For Rock Island Mass Transit
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today announced $2.9 million in grant funding for the Rock Island Co. Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLINK). The funding, awarded by the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Low or No Emission (Low-No) Bus Program, will be used to purchase new low-emission transit buses. "The funding announced today will not only create a better experience for the thousands of … Continue Reading
May 27, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $12 Million For Metra Improvements
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Metra will receive $12,482,600 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for rail improvements. The funding will support the modernization of three interlockings on the Milwaukee North Line in Illinois, which will help lead to improved reliability and fewer delays for Metra and Amtrak commuters. "For many Illinoisans, Metra and Amtrak are the only affordable and accessible … Continue Reading
May 19, 2020
Durbin Joins Bipartisan Letter Outlining Priorities To Support First Responders In The Next COVID-19 Relief Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), and nine of his colleagues on a bipartisan letter to Senate Leadership encouraging additional support for first responders in the next COVID-19 relief package. "During a time of crisis, communities rely on local first responders as the first line of defense for protection and emergency response," the Senators wrote. "As Congress considers further legislation in response to the COVID-19 … Continue Reading
May 18, 2020
Durbin Statement On Nomination Of Normal Mayor Chris Koos To Serve On Amtrak Board Of Directors
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after President Donald Trump nominated Normal, Illinois, Mayor Chris Koos to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors: "I recommended Mayor Koos for this important position, and I'm glad the President nominated him today. Mayor Koos understands the importance of passenger rail to communities in Illinois and across the country. He will be an important voice for Illinois and the Midwest in support of growing and … Continue Reading
March 11, 2020
Durbin Meets With Illinois Public Transportation Officials
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois public transportation officials from the Chicago Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Metra, and PACE to discuss transportation priorities in Illinois. The group discussed Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation and the importance of providing federal funding to improve surface transportation. "Investing in Illinois' public transportation infrastructure helps create jobs and improves the safety and efficiency of … Continue Reading
March 09, 2020
Durbin Meets With Association Of Illinois Firefighters
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Association of Illinois Firefighters to discuss legislation to support fire departments, firefighters, and paramedics in Illinois. Durbin discussed his support for the Assistance for Firefighters grant program and SAFER grant program that provide critical resources, training, and equipment to fire departments across Illinois. Before his meeting with members of the Illinois Association of Firefighters, Durbin spoke to … Continue Reading
March 06, 2020
Durbin, Colleagues Introduce Bill To Restore Amtrak Riders' Legal Rights & Protections
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives Conor Lamb (D-PA-17) and Denny Heck (D-WA-10), introduced legislation to restore legal rights and protections to Amtrak riders who are currently prevented from seeking justice in the courts and joining together to seek accountability for their claims. Amtrak implemented its forced arbitration and class action ban policy last January, specifically writing it to be "as broad as … Continue Reading
March 05, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Host Chicago Infrastructure Meeting
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Chuy Garcia (D-IL04), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), and Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), today met with Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner Jamie Rhee, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) Commissioner Gia Biagi, and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) President Dorval Carter to discuss infrastructure priorities in Chicago. The group discussed funding to help … Continue Reading
March 05, 2020
Durbin Meets With Bloomington-Normal One Voice
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of Bloomington-Normal One Voice, who represent local government, labor, education, and business. Durbin discussed transportation priorities, including the recently announced $13 million federal BUILD grant for a new underpass in Normal. Durbin also discussed rural broadband and the new Rivian vehicle manufacturing plant in Normal. Amazon plans to purchase 100,000 electric delivery vans from Rivian by 2030. "It was great to … Continue Reading
March 05, 2020
Durbin Meets With Chicago Army Corps Commander To Discuss Shoreline Protection
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Colonel Aaron Reisinger, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, to discuss funding to help address the impacts of climate change on the Chicago lakeshore. The Trump Administration did not fund the Great Lakes Resiliency Study or a reevaluation of the Chicago Shoreline Project in their Fiscal Year 2020 Corps Work Plan and Fiscal Year 2021 Budget request. In the meeting, Durbin urged the Corps to push the Trump … Continue Reading
March 04, 2020
Durbin Meets With Rock Island Army Corps Commander To Discuss Quincy Bay
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Colonel Steven Sattinger, Commander and District Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, to discuss funding to restore Quincy Bay, one of the largest natural bays of the Upper Mississippi River. Durbin also discussed funding for the much needed modernization of seven locks along the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. "The environmental need for the restoration of Quincy Bay is obvious," said Durbin. … Continue Reading
March 02, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $13 Million For Pullman Junction Rail Improvements
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Cook County has been awarded $12.9 million in federal funding for the CREATE (Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency) Program's Pullman Junction project on Chicago's South Side. Today's investment, awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program, will support improvements to increase the … Continue Reading
February 21, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth, Bustos Announce More Than $2.6 Million For Chicago Rockford International Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today announced $2,699,192 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) grant funding to reconstruct a deicing containment facility at Chicago Rockford International Airport in Rockford. "Federal investments have helped improve operations at Chicago Rockford International Airport, and today's funding will ensure the deicing facility can be upgraded. I look forward to … Continue Reading
February 19, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $11 Million For Housing And Homeless Assistance In Central Illinois
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Central Illinois communities will receive a total of $11,601,766 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for affordable housing and homelessness programs. "These federal programs are critically important to addressing homelessness and housing insecurity throughout Central Illinois," Durbin said. "I will continue fighting alongside Senator Duckworth for … Continue Reading
February 19, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $5 Million For Housing And Homeless Assistance In Rockford And Quad Cities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Northwest Illinois communities will receive a total of $5,255,185 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for affordable housing and homelessness programs. "These federal programs are critically important to addressing homelessness and housing insecurity throughout Rockford and the Quad Cities," Durbin said. "I will continue fighting alongside Senator … Continue Reading
February 19, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce $170 Million For Housing And Homeless Assistance In Chicagoland Area
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that Chicagoland communities will receive a total of $170 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for affordable housing and homelessness programs. "These federal programs are critically important to addressing homelessness and housing insecurity throughout the Chicagoland area," Durbin said. "I will continue fighting alongside Senator Duckworth for … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Trump Administration's Failure To Include Funding For Great Lakes Shoreline Programs
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today called out the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 work plan for not including funding for two important Great Lakes shoreline programs - the Great Lakes Resiliency Study and the Chicago Shoreline Project. "As the Great Lakes shoreline faces the most serious environmental threat in decades, the Army Corps' work plan fails to provide funding for its protection," Durbin said. "Ignoring the … Continue Reading
January 24, 2020
Durbin Urges Trump Administration To Fund Quincy Bay Restoration And Modernization Of Illinois Locks
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke to Assistant Secretary of the Army (ASA) for Civil Works R.D. James, who oversees the Army Corps, to push for funding to restore Quincy Bay, one of the largest natural bays of the Upper Mississippi River, as well as for funding for the much needed modernization of seven locks along the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. "We know Quincy Bay is silted up and needs attention and that our Illinois locks are in desperate need of … Continue Reading
January 23, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Meet With Chicago Mayor Lightfoot
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot to discuss Chicago priorities and how they can assist her in the Senate. Durbin, Duckworth, and Lightfoot talked about reducing gun violence, the Chicago HEAL Initiative, the 2020 Census, public housing, transportation infrastructure funding, and cannabis. Durbin and Duckworth hosted Mayor Lightfoot, along with nine other mayors from across Illinois who are in Washington, … Continue Reading
January 23, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Meet With Illinois Mayors
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with a group of Illinois mayors who are in Washington, D.C. for the United States Conference of Mayors' 88th Winter Meeting. Durbin, Duckworth, and the mayors discussed Illinois priorities, including transportation infrastructure, rural broadband, affordable housing, improving Amtrak service throughout Illinois, and marijuana. "Senator Duckworth and I will continue to support our Illinois mayors in any way we … Continue Reading