{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"IL\" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://foster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/foster-sponsors-legislation-to-reverse-cuts-to-veterans-pensions", "Foster Sponsors Legislation To Reverse Cuts To Veterans\u2019 Pensions", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bill Foster", "F000454", "foster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Aurora, IL \u2013 Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) cosponsored the Military Retirement Restoration Act which would repeal cuts to cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for military retirees that were included in the Bipartisan Budget Act.\u00a0 The repeal would be paid for by closing tax loopholes for corporations that set up headquarters in other countries to avoid paying US taxes.\n\u201cI voted for the Balanced Budget Act because I believed it was critical to avoiding another shutdown and because it begins to restore the harmful funding cuts from sequestration,\u201d said Foster.\u00a0 \u201cHowever, I do not believe we should balance our budget on the backs of veterans and I am supporting this legislation to ensure our veterans get the full pensions they have earned.\u201d\nMore information on the Military Retirement Restoration Act is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-asks-irs-to-issue-rule-limiting-what-hospitals-can-charge-poor-uninsured-for-care", "Durbin Asks IRS to Issue Rule Limiting What Hospitals Can Charge Poor, Uninsured for Care", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Asks IRS to Issue Rule Limiting What Hospitals Can Charge Poor, Uninsured for Care \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to the Acting IRS Commissioner, Daniel Werfel, today asking him to complete the rulemaking process that would restrict what hospitals can charge for services to people without health care coverage and would prohibit hospitals from aggressive pursuit of medical debts from people who do not have the financial wherewithal to pay them. The rule was required as one of the consumer protection provisions found in the Affordable Care Act.\r\n\r\nThree years after the passage of the law, it is unacceptable that the rule has not been finalized, Durbin wrote. Finalizing the rule will protect patients from unrealistic prices contained in hospital chargemasters and protect families from unrealistic debt collection efforts that that too often lead to bankruptcy. I call on the IRS to finalize this rule as soon as possible.\r\n\r\nThe Affordable Care Act imposed strict requirements on what non-profit hospitals can charge uninsured patients. For emergency services, hospitals cannot charge an uninsured individual more than would be generally billed to patients that are covered by private insurance or Medicare. For non-emergency services, hospitals must bill less than the gross cost for each individual service. This provision also limits hospitals to pursuing collections to people who actually have the financial wherewithal to pay. The IRS has started the rulemaking process, but has yet to issue a final rule. Until they do, hospitals can continue charging the poor and uninsured unreasonable and unsustainable rates.\r\n\r\nA copy of the letter is pasted below and attached.\r\n\r\nDecember 20, 2013\r\n\r\n\r\nDaniel I. Werfel\r\nActing Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service\r\n1111 Constitution Avenue, NW\r\nWashington, DC 20224-0002\r\n\r\nDear Commissioner Werfel:\r\n\r\nI urge you to complete the rulemaking process for section 9007 of the Affordable Care Act restricting what hospitals can charge for services to people without health care coverage and prohibiting hospitals from aggressive pursuit of medical debts from people who do not have the financial wherewithal to pay them.\r\n\r\nThe Affordable Care Act includes new requirements for non-profit hospital facilities to maintain or achieve 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Section 9007 of the law requires hospitals to perform a community health needs assessment every three years, create and publicize a financial assistance policy, limit the amount that can be charged an uninsured individual, and adopt billing and collections policies.\r\n\r\nOn June 14, 2010, the IRS issued a request for comments for Section 9007 of the Affordable Care Act (IRS Notice 2010-39). However, since releasing this notice, the IRS has not taken concrete steps to finalize the rule.\r\n\r\nThree years after the passage of the law, it is unacceptable that the rule has not been finalized. Finalizing the rule will protect patients from unrealistic prices contained in hospital chargemasters and protect families from unrealistic debt collection efforts that that too often lead to bankruptcy.\r\n\r\nI call on the IRS to finalize this rule as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this matter.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n\r\nRichard J. Durbin\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-urge-swift-review-of-fda-rule-to-regulare-the-manufacturing-sale-and-marketing-of-e-cigarettes", "Senators Urge Swift Review of FDA Rule to Regulare the Manufacturing, Sale, and Marketing of E-Cigarettes", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.13\n\t\t\t Senators Urge Swift Review of FDA Rule to Regulare the Manufacturing, Sale, and Marketing of E-Cigarettes \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Proposed rule could also help combat flavored cigars and other tobacco products that target kids and young adults\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.]  As tobacco products like electronic cigarettes and flavored cigars continue to grow in popularity and increase nicotine addiction and tobacco use among young people, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Ed Markey (D-MA) today called on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to promptly complete its review of a proposed rule from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which would expand the FDA's regulatory authority over tobacco products.\r\n\r\nThe Senators drew particular attention to the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes  or e-cigs  which have more than doubled in use among high school students since the 2011-2012 school year. A report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this year found that in addition to releasing candy and fruit flavored vapors that appeal to youth, many release nicotine, which could increase the likelihood that youth start using conventional cigarettes.\r\n\r\nThe FDA has made commendable efforts to enhance the regulation of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. However, we have seen the emergence of nicotine products for which FDA has yet to assert regulatory authority, such as electronic cigarettes and cigars with candy-like flavors, which raise concerns regarding safety and marketing to children, the Senators wrote.\r\n\r\nUnlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are not subject to federal age verification laws. Further, e-cigarettes marketed to appeal to kids in candy and fruit flavors, like bubblegum and strawberry, are readily available to youth in shopping malls and online. These products risk addicting children to nicotine, which could be a pathway to cigarettes and other tobacco products.\r\n\r\nIn April, Durbin and U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Jack Reed (D-RI) called on the FDA to issue deeming regulations asserting regulatory authority over tobacco products, such as electronic cigarettes, and to restrict the sale, distribution and marketing of e-cigarettes and other nicotine products to children and young adults.A copy of that letter is available here.\r\n\r\nTobacco use is the number one cause of death in the United States. Every year, tobacco use kills 443,000 Americans  accounting for one in five deaths.The U.S. Surgeon General, the CDC, and the National Cancer Institute have concluded that smokeless tobacco causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, and lung diseases. Smoking costs the United States about $193 billion each year in health care expenses and lost productivity.\r\n\r\n[Text of today's letter is below]\r\n\r\nDecember 20, 2013\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Sylvia Mathew Burwell\r\nDirector\r\nOffice of Management and Budget\r\n725 17th Street NW\r\nWashington, DC 20503\r\n\r\nDear Director Burwell:\r\n\r\nWe write to urge the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to expeditiously review the proposed rule from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which would expand FDA's regulatory authority over tobacco products. Although the draft proposed rule is not public, it is expected to expand FDA's regulatory authority to all tobacco products, including cigars, pipe tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and certain dissolvable tobacco products.\r\n\r\nAs a result of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009, the FDA has made commendable efforts to enhance the regulation of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. However, we have seen increased use of nicotine products for which FDA has yet to assert regulatory authority, such as electronic cigarettes and cigars with candy-like flavors, which raise concerns regarding safety and marketing to children.\r\n\r\nFlavored cigars sold in flavors that appeal to kids like chocolate, cherry, and grape are increasing nicotine addiction and tobacco use among young people. Cigars contain the same toxic and cancer-causing chemicals found in cigarettes, and public health experts have warned that cigars are not a safe alternative to cigarettes. According to the National Cancer Institute, cigar smoking is linked to cancer of the lung, mouth, throat, and esophagus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 13 million Americans smoke cigars, including 12.6 percent of high school students, making cigar smoking the second most common form of tobacco use among youth.\r\n\r\nElectronic cigarettes, also called e-cigarettes, are battery-operated devices that simulate traditional tobacco cigarettes. E-cigarettes contain cartridges filled with flavors, chemicals, and the highly addictive substance nicotine, which are vaporized and inhaled by the user. According to the CDC, e-cigarette use is growing rapidly. Between 2010 and 2011, the number of U.S. adults who have tried e-cigarettes doubled. Further, a CDC study released in September 2013 found that in just one year, from 2011 to 2012, the percentage of high school students who have ever used e-cigarettes more than doubled from 4.7% to 10%.\r\n\r\nIn spite of the growing popularity of e-cigarettes and limited research on their long-term health effects and risk for increasing use of traditional cigarettes, information about e-cigarettes is currently not required to be submitted to the FDA for evaluation. In 2009, FDA conducted a limited analysis of a sample of e-cigarettes. The analysis found significant quality control issues such as the presence of carcinogens and toxic chemicals, variation in the dose of nicotine in each inhalation, and the presence of nicotine in products claiming to be nicotine-free. The study raises concerns regarding the safety of these products, the levels of nicotine and other potentially harmful chemicals, and the marketing of e-cigarettes to children and teens.\r\n\r\nUnlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are not subject to federal age verification laws. Further, e-cigarettes marketed to appeal to kids in candy and fruit flavors, like bubblegum and strawberry, are readily available to youth in shopping malls and online. These products risk addicting children to nicotine, which could be a pathway to cigarettes and other tobacco products.\r\n\r\nTobacco use is the number one cause of death in the United States. Every year, tobacco use kills 443,000 Americans  accounting for one in five deaths. The U.S. Surgeon General, the CDC, and the National Cancer Institute have concluded that smokeless tobacco causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, and lung diseases. Today, smoking costs the country about $193 billion each year in health care expenses and lost productivity.\r\n\r\nWe call on the OMB to promptly complete its review of the proposed rule, a critical step toward FDA expanding regulatory authority over other tobacco products.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=3e786416-a5cb-4809-bcb3-9dfada89fc02", "Durbin Asks IRS to Issue Rule Limiting What Hospitals Can Charge Poor, Uninsured for Care", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Asks IRS to Issue Rule Limiting What Hospitals Can Charge Poor, Uninsured for Care \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. \u2013 Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to the Acting IRS Commissioner, Daniel Werfel, today asking him to complete the rulemaking process that would restrict what hospitals can charge for services to people without health care coverage and would prohibit hospitals from aggressive pursuit of medical debts from people who do not have the financial wherewithal to pay them.\u00a0 The rule was required as one of the consumer protection provisions found in the Affordable Care Act.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThree years after the passage of the law, it is unacceptable that the rule has not been finalized,\u201d Durbin wrote. \u201cFinalizing the rule will protect patients from unrealistic prices contained in hospital chargemasters and protect families from unrealistic debt collection efforts that that too often lead to bankruptcy.\u00a0 I call on the IRS to finalize this rule as soon as possible.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Affordable Care Act imposed strict requirements on what non-profit hospitals can charge uninsured patients.\u00a0 For emergency services, hospitals cannot charge an uninsured individual more than would be generally billed to patients that are covered by private insurance or Medicare.\u00a0 For non-emergency services, hospitals must bill less than the gross cost for each individual service.\u00a0 This provision also limits hospitals to pursuing collections to people who actually have the financial wherewithal to pay. The IRS has started the rulemaking process, but has yet to issue a final rule. Until they do, hospitals can continue charging the poor and uninsured unreasonable and unsustainable rates.\r\n\u00a0\r\nA copy of the letter is pasted below and attached.\r\n\u00a0\r\nDecember 20, 2013\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nDaniel I. Werfel\r\nActing Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service\r\n1111 Constitution Avenue, NW\r\nWashington, DC 20224-0002\r\n\u00a0\r\nDear Commissioner Werfel:\r\n\u00a0\r\nI urge you to complete the rulemaking process for section 9007 of the Affordable Care Act restricting what hospitals can charge for services to people without health care coverage and prohibiting hospitals from aggressive pursuit of medical debts from people who do not have the financial wherewithal to pay them.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Affordable Care Act includes new requirements for non-profit hospital facilities to maintain or achieve 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.\u00a0 Section 9007 of the law requires hospitals to perform a community health needs assessment every three years, create and publicize a financial assistance policy, limit the amount that can be charged an uninsured individual, and adopt billing and collections policies.\r\n\u00a0\r\nOn June 14, 2010, the IRS issued a request for comments for Section 9007 of the Affordable Care Act (IRS Notice 2010-39).\u00a0 However, since releasing this notice, the IRS has not taken concrete steps to finalize the rule.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThree years after the passage of the law, it is unacceptable that the rule has not been finalized. Finalizing the rule will protect patients from unrealistic prices contained in hospital chargemasters and protect families from unrealistic debt collection efforts that that too often lead to bankruptcy.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nI call on the IRS to finalize this rule as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this matter.\r\n\u00a0\r\nSincerely,\r\n\u00a0\r\nRichard J. Durbin\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/foster-participates-in-hour-of-code-to-highlight-computer-science", "Foster Participates in \u201cHour of Code\u201d To Highlight Computer Science Education In Bolingbrook", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bill Foster", "F000454", "foster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Joliet, IL \u2014 Today, Congressman Bill Foster visited BJ Ward Elementary School in Bolingbrook to participate in an \u201cHour of Code\u201d event and talk about the importance of computer science education.\u00a0\n\u201cAs a scientist and businessman who built a career using computer programing, it\u2019s wonderful to see students learning these important skills,\u201d said Foster.\u00a0 \u201cWatching kids learn to code is an important reminder that any child can succeed if given the tools and training.\u00a0 Learning computer science skills is essential for success in today\u2019s economy and should be a core part of our children\u2019s education.\u201d\nRep. Foster spoke with students about how as teenagers, he and his brother Fred started a company in their basement that now manufactures most of the computerized theater lighting equipment in the U.S., including Disneyland, Broadway shows, Super-Bowl halftime shows, churches, schools, and community theatres throughout the world.\nFoster also explained the importance of computer code in scientific research.\u00a0 Computer simulations were essential in the discovery of the Top Quark, the heaviest known form of matter, at the experiment Foster worked on at Fermilab.\u00a0 Foster worked at Fermilab for 23 years.\nCongressman Foster spent the next hour in Katie Rios Thomas' classroom, watching and helping her students as they got their first hands-on experience writing simple computer programs.\u00a0 The Hour of Code is a nationwide event sponsored by Code.org, encouraging students to learn more about computer science education.\u00a0 More information is available here.\n\"The kids were making amazing progress.\u00a0 We saw them start from zero, then watched them optimizing code size by adjusting iteration counts on program loops within the first 45 minutes\", added Foster.\nAnyone can participate in the hour of code by going to code.org/learn.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301092626/http://schneider.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-schneider-announces-support-of-nuclear-weapon-free-iran-act", "Rep. Schneider Announces Support of Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) announced his\u00a0support for the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act\u00a0of 2013, which was introduced\u00a0today\u00a0by\u00a026\u00a0Senators,\u00a0including Senators\u00a0Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ),\u00a0and would implement new sanctions on Iran if\u00a0the regime\u00a0breaks the terms of the interim agreement or fails to reach a final agreement.\n\u201cAs the Administration continues to explore a diplomatic solution, we need to send a clear, strong\u00a0message to Iran that the United States is fully committed to implementing additional, punishing economic sanctions if\u00a0Iran\u00a0fails to abide by the\u00a0Joint Plan of Action or refuses to reach a final agreement to permanently end its nuclear weapons programs,\u201d\u00a0Schneider said. \u201cThis bill reinforces and builds on\u00a0the core\u00a0architecture of the\u00a0sanctions regime\u00a0that was successful in bringing Iran to the negotiating table. The goal\u00a0of sanctions and the consequential negotiations\u00a0remains\u00a0reversing and dismantling Iran's nuclear weapons capabilities.\u00a0Iran\u00a0must come\u00a0to the table understanding that negotiations leading to an end to\u00a0its\u00a0nuclear program is the\u00a0one and\u00a0only path to sanctions relief.\u201d\nThe Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act\u00a0expands the\u00a0breadth and depth of the sanctions\u00a0architecture,\u00a0extending the reach to\u00a0companies, individuals and economic sectors that would be subject to greater sanctions should the Iranian regime fail to implement terms of the Joint Plan of Action (JPA) or attempt to delay negotiations towards a permanent nuclear deal.\nSchneider, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is a leader in the effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He\u00a0helped\u00a0coauthor\u00a0and pass\u00a0new, broader sanctions\u00a0legislation in the House in July,\u00a0and in October, he\u00a0sent a letter, signed\u00a0by 77 of his colleagues, urging the Obama Administration to authorize additional sanctions on Iran.\nEarlier this month, The Israel Qualitative Military Edge Enhancement Act, introduced by Schneider and Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), to help\u00a0strengthen Israel\u2019s defense systems against threats like a nuclear Iran,\u00a0unanimously passed the House by a vote of 399-0.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301115706/http://bustos.house.gov/press-and-media/press-releases/memo-bustos-fighting-for-the-right-priorities-during-first-year-in", "MEMO: Bustos Fighting for the Right Priorities During First Year in Office", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "During her first year in office, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos has fought hard for the priorities that matter most to the people of Illinois\u2019 17th Congressional District.\u00a0 She\u2019s made the economy of her region her top priority, led efforts to create more American manufacturing jobs, took action to protect Social Security and Medicare and has been an advocate for veterans.\u00a0 She\u2019s also made a concrete effort to work with both Democrats and Republicans on common sense solutions to our nation\u2019s debt and deficit issues that put working families first.\nAs we head into the New Year, we wanted to highlight some of the ways Congresswoman Bustos has been a strong advocate for the people of her region:\nBustos Fighting for Illinois Jobs and Economy\nDuring her first year in office, Congresswoman Bustos has made fighting for American jobs and manufacturing a top priority.\u00a0\nAs part of the House Democrats\u2019 \u201cMake it in America\u201d initiative, in April, Bustos introduced the American Jobs Matter Act, a common sense bill that would increase American manufacturing and boost job creation at home by allowing the government to consider the creation of American jobs when accepting bids for taxpayer-funded federal contracts.\u00a0 In April, Bustos toured the seven community colleges that serve the region to meet with students, faculty, administrators, and businesspeople.\u00a0 Following the tour, she introduced the Access to Education and Training Act which would allow students, many of whom are non-traditional, who receive Pell grants to take advantage of them year-round so they can complete their courses faster and get back into the workforce.\u00a0 Bustos has also launched \u201cPartnering for Illinois\u2019 Economic Future,\u201d to help increase collaboration to create jobs and bolster the region\u2019s economy.\u00a0 As part of this on-going initiative, Bustos partnered with the University of Illinois to hold three regional economic meetings in August and a district-wide economic summit in November; she\u2019s also solicited the public through a variety of ways to get input on how to best improve the region\u2019s economic future.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Due to the important role agriculture plays in her region\u2019s economy, Bustos, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, has fought hard for a bipartisan five-year Farm Bill.\u00a0 As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, she joined with Senators Durbin and Kirk and Republican Congressman Rodney Davis (IL-13) to introduce\u00a0Water Infrastructure Now Public-Private Partnership Act (WIN P3 Act), which could help upgrade the aging locks and dams on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers while also saving taxpayers money.\u00a0 She has also fought to help ensure the job-creating Thomson Prison has the resources it needs to open. \u00a0 Additionally, Bustos has introduced or supported efforts to strengthen the \u201cBuy America\u201d requirements for transportation and infrastructure projects, eliminate tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas, crack down on unfair currency manipulation from countries like China, fight against sequestration and furloughs and ensure that American flags are made right here in America. Bustos also holds regular \u201cCheri on Shifts\u201d\u00a0where she meets with and shadows workers at their job site. \u00a0 Protecting Medicare and Social Security\nCongresswoman Bustos has been a champion for Illinois seniors and has fought to protect Social Security benefits and the Medicare guarantee. In March, Bustos held a telephone town hall with Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD-08), the senior Democrat on the House Budget Committee, to discuss her opposition to the Republican Budget that would end Medicare as we know it by turning the program over to private insurance companies.\u00a0 She was also honored by the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans for her strong support for both Medicare and Social Security and her opposition to switching to a so-called \u201cchained CPI\u201d system in calculating Social Security benefits.\u00a0\u00a0 This fall, Bustos partnered with Max Richtman, the President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, on a telephone town hall and authored an op-ed to discuss her work to protect seniors.\u00a0 She also joined with Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02) to ensure that Medicare open enrollment was not affected by the reckless and irresponsible government shutdown in October.\u00a0 Most recently, Congresswoman Bustos called on the Budget Conference Committee to protect Social Security and Medicare in a budget deal.\nStanding up for our Veterans\nSince being sworn in, Congresswoman Bustos has made our nation\u2019s veterans a top priority, has crisscrossed the region on veterans\u2019 listening tours to hear their concerns and has relentlessly fought to protect the benefits they\u2019ve earned and deserve.\nEarlier this year, she joined with Republican Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08) to introduce the bipartisan Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act that would help put veterans back to work rebuilding our crumbling roads, bridges, tunnels and rail lines.\u00a0 And, with input from her \u201cStanding up for our Veterans\u201d tour, Bustos spearheaded a new effort to create jobs for our nation\u2019s veterans by introducing the Jobs for Heroes Act.\u00a0 This bill would not only extend, but also expand two expiring federal business tax credits designed to spur veteran employment.\u00a0\nBustos has also worked to cut down on the growing VA claims backlog, protect veterans education and job training programs, put an end to veterans\u2019 homelessness and military sexual assault and\u00a0led a group of 37 members of the House of Representative in calling for veterans to be protected during the government shutdown.\nShe also participates in the Library of Congress\u2019 \u201cVeterans History Project\u201d that seeks to collect, preserve and make accessible personal accounts of veterans and frequently greets veteran Honor Flights both in Illinois and Washington, D.C. \u00a0\nWorking with Democrats and Republicans on Common Sense Efforts to Reduce the Deficit\nBustos has advocated strongly for bipartisan, common sense approaches to cutting unnecessary government spending and reducing the deficit in a balanced way that does not harm working families.\nThe first bill Bustos introduced as a Member of Congress was the Government Waste Reduction Act, which is a common sense bill that attacks billions of dollars in government waste and helps ensure government programs are more economical, efficient, and effective.\u00a0 Building on that effort, she partnered with Illinois\u2019 Republican Senator Mark Kirk in July to put forth the Government Transformation Act that would cut duplicative services and root out waste in government. This bill was incorporated into No Labels\u2019 \u201cMake Government Work\u201d legislative package.\nIn November, Bustos led a common sense effort with Republican Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19) to stop paying tax dollars to deceased people.\u00a0 Supported by more than 60 members of the House of Representatives, the Improper Payments Agency Cooperation Enhancement (IPACE) Act curbs improper payments to the deceased and could potentially save the government from wasting billions in taxpayer money.\nCongresswoman Bustos is also recognized as a No Labels\u2019 \u201cCongressional Problem Solver\u201d due to her dedication to working across the aisle to find reasonable solutions to our nation\u2019s problems.\u00a0 No Labels is a group of House and Senate Democrats and Republicans who meet on a regular basis to build trust across the aisle and to develop solutions for the American people.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140727171238/http://bustos.house.gov/press-and-media/press-releases/bustos-durbin-applaud-new-task-force-to-fight-violent-crime-in", "Bustos, Durbin Applaud New Task Force To Fight Violent Crime In Winnebago County", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Following today\u2019s announcement of the formation of the Winnebago County Violent Crime Task Force, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) commended local law enforcement leaders for coordinating their efforts to address violent crime in the Winnebago County area. The new partnership is an outgrowth of a meeting Durbin and Bustos convened with law enforcement leaders in Rockford earlier this year to discuss strategies for coordinating crime fighting across jurisdictions.\u00a0\n\u201cThis past spring, Congresswoman Bustos and I met with Rockford-area law enforcement leaders to discuss the importance of effective cooperation between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in fighting violent crime,\u201d Durbin said. \u201cSince that meeting, these officials have worked hard to formulate a plan that enhances information-sharing and coordination between agencies, and I am pleased to see such a plan put in place today. I applaud everyone involved for their ongoing efforts to keep families and communities in Winnebago County safe.\u201d\n\u201cEarlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet with Senator Durbin and local law enforcement leaders from the Rockford area to discuss ways to better collaborate and work together to crack down on the violent crime hurting families across the region,\u201d said Bustos.\u00a0 \u201cI applaud today\u2019s important announcement of the formation of the Winnebago County Violent Crime Task Force.\u00a0 This new regional collaboration will help make Rockford and Winnebago County communities safer for children and families, and better places to live and work, by enhancing partnerships between city, county and federal law enforcement agencies.\u201d\nIn May, Durbin and Bustos convened a meeting with city, county and federal law enforcement officials to hear about the violent crime facing Rockford and the law enforcement response. The meeting focused on ensuring cooperation between law enforcement agencies on crime prevention efforts and the sharing of important information between jurisdictions.\u00a0 The task force announced today is an outgrowth of that meeting.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140919161106/http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=d39e97c6-130f-4507-8d4b-0f2a09df1646", "Creating Jobs and Providing Economic Certainty for America's Middle Class", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "During a press conference with Senate Democratic Leadership, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) discussed Senate Democrats? commitment to creating jobs and providing economic certainty for America?s middle class. Senator Durbin spoke on several issues including extending federal unemployment benefits, helping hardworking families tackle the burden of student loan debt, and raising the federal minimum wage. The first bill the Senate will consider when it returns in January will be an extension of unemployment benefits for those still struggling to get back on their feet.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141101171106/http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=4869149e-0ba7-4630-81ab-514598ed4b07", "Get Covered Illinois", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Whether you are currently uninsured, or just looking for new options, visit www.getcoveredillinois.gov or call (866) 311-1119 to learn more about the plans offered in the Illinois health insurance marketplace. To ensure coverage by January 1st, you must sign up by December 23rd. So visit or call today.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-and-kirk-support-argonne-proposal-to-help-mass-transit-systems-handle-emergency-events", "Durbin And Kirk Support Argonne Proposal To Help Mass Transit Systems Handle Emergency Events", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.13\n\t\t\t Durbin And Kirk Support Argonne Proposal To Help Mass Transit Systems Handle Emergency Events \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) joined together yesterday to write U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx in support of Argonne National Laboratory's proposal for the Department of Transportation's new research program examining the capacity of mass transit systems to plan for and respond to emergency events. Argonne's proposal was developed in partnership with Metra, Pace Suburban Bus Service, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the Illinois Institute of Technology. Durbin met with Secretary Foxx yesterday to discuss this and other Illinois transportation issues. A photo of yesterday's meeting is available here.\r\nThe lack of evacuation planning and coordination among transit systems can be catastrophic, the Senators wrote. [Argonne's] project will develop new computational tools that can be used by transit agencies for planning and reacting to sever weather events, service disruptions, and catastrophic failures. The Chicago region, with its integrated multi-modal transportation and mass-transit systems, will serve as a test bed for new, nationally applicable emergency planning and operational tools and demonstration efforts. This initiative will help to improve the current state of emergency response throughout the United States. \r\nThe full text of the Senators' letter is below:\r\n\r\nDecember 18, 2013\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Anthony Foxx\r\nU.S. Secretary of Transportation\r\n1200 New Jersey Avenue\r\nWashington, DC 20590\r\n\r\nDear Secretary Foxx,\r\n\r\nAs you consider proposals for the Innovative Safety, Resiliency, and All-Safety Hazards Emergency Response and Recovery Research Demonstrations FOA solicitation, we write to bring to your attention the Coordinated Transit Response Planning and Operations Support Tools for Mitigating Impacts of All-Hazard Emergency Events proposal, submitted by Argonne National Laboratory.\r\n\r\nThe lack of evacuation planning and coordination among transit systems can be catastrophic. Hurricane Katrina underscored the need to plan for efficient mass evacuation procedures for people without cars and to design systems capable of prioritizing the transit needs of the most vulnerable populations prior to, during, and after disaster events. This project will develop new computational tools that can be used by transit agencies for planning and reacting to severe weather events, service disruptions, and catastrophic failures.\r\n\r\nTwo regional transit agencies, the Chicago metropolitan area and the Illinois Department of Transportation, have already committed to participate in this effort. The Urban Transportation Center and the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the College of Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology also will be involved. The Chicago region, with its integrated multi-modal transportation and mass-transit systems, will serve as a test bed for new, nationally applicable emergency planning and response tools. The participating regional transit agencies will be improved in the development of the planning and operational tools and demonstration efforts.\r\n\r\nThis team will operate as an open source so that the new computational tools will be available to other transit operators and researchers. This initiative will help to improve the current state of emergency response throughout the United States. For this reason, we ask that you give this proposal every consideration.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n\r\nRichard Durbin Mark Kirk\r\nU.S. Senator U.S. Senator\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-bustos-applaud-new-task-force-to-fight-violent-crime-in-winnebago-county", "Durbin, Bustos Applaud New Task Force to Fight Violent Crime in Winnebago County", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.13\n\t\t\t Durbin, Bustos Applaud New Task Force to Fight Violent Crime in Winnebago County \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\n[WASHINGTON, DC]  Following today's announcement of the formation of the Winnebago County Violent Crime Task Force, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) commended local law enforcement leaders for coordinating their efforts to address violent crime in the Winnebago County area. The new partnership is an outgrowth of a meeting Durbin and Bustos convened with law enforcement leaders in Rockford earlier this year to discuss strategies for coordinating crime fighting across jurisdictions.\r\n\r\nThis past spring, Congresswoman Bustos and I met with Rockford-area law enforcement leaders to discuss the importance of effective cooperation between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in fighting violent crime, Durbin said. Since that meeting, these officials have worked hard to formulate a plan that enhances information-sharing and coordination between agencies, and I am pleased to see such a plan put in place today. I applaud everyone involved for their ongoing efforts to keep families and communities in Winnebago County safe.\r\n\r\nEarlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet with Senator Durbin and local law enforcement leaders from the Rockford area to discuss ways to better collaborate and work together to crack down on the violent crime hurting families across the region, said Bustos. I applaud today's important announcement of the formation of the Winnebago County Violent Crime Task Force. This new regional collaboration will help make Rockford and Winnebago County communities safer for children and families, and better places to live and work, by enhancing partnerships between city, county and federal law enforcement agencies.\r\n\r\nIn May, Durbin and Bustos convened a meeting with city, county and federal law enforcement officials to hear about the violent crime facing Rockford and the law enforcement response. The meeting focused on ensuring cooperation between law enforcement agencies on crime prevention efforts and the sharing of important information between jurisdictions. The task force announced today is an outgrowth of that meeting.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-discusses-priorities-for-creating-jobs-and-growing-americas-middle-class", "Durbin Discusses Priorities for Creating Jobs and Growing America's Middle Class", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Discusses Priorities for Creating Jobs and Growing America's Middle Class \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, D.C.]  During a press conference with Senate Democratic Leadership, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) discussed Senate Democrats' commitment to creating jobs and providing economic certainty for America's middle class. Senator Durbin spoke on several issues including extending federal unemployment benefits, helping hardworking families tackle the burden of student loan debt, and raising the federal minimum wage. The first bill the Senate will consider when it returns in January will be an extension of unemployment benefits for those still struggling to get back on their feet.\r\n\r\nThis issue of unemployment benefits means that about 1.3 million Americans are going to see their benefits cut, 63,000 in my home state of Illinois. For many of these people, unemployment benefits are their only source of income. It may mean the difference of whether they're homeless or have a place to live. Including workers' families, nearly 69 million people, including 17 million children, were supported by extended unemployment insurance benefits. If we really care about working families and those who are on their way back to work, we've got to extend these unemployment benefit.\r\n\r\nAnd the last point I want to make, if we're sensitive to the needs of working families, we cannot ignore the burden that many of these families face because of student loan debt. I just completed a press conference this morning with Elizabeth Warren and Jack Reed. Barbara Boxer is joining us in this effort. It is time for us to tackle head-on this unfair treatment of students and their families across America and the economic burden it creates for them and the drag it creates on our economy. When we return next year, we need to make working families our highest priority.\r\n\r\nEarlier this month, Durbin, Reed and Warren joined U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in introducing the Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights Act to ensure struggling student loan borrowers are treated fairly and understand the full range of repayment options and resources available to them.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-kirk-delegation-call-on-president-to-provide-federal-public-assistance-for-southern-and-central-illinois-counties", "Durbin, Kirk, Delegation Call on President to Provide Federal Public Assistance for Southern and Central Illinois Counties", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.13\n\t\t\t Durbin, Kirk, Delegation Call on President to Provide Federal Public Assistance for Southern and Central Illinois Counties \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, DC]  U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) were joined by the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation today sending a letter to President Obama asking him to provide Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance to help nine Illinois counties recover from the deadly tornadoes that struck the state on November 17, 2013.\r\n\r\nThe tornado damage from severe storms this fall in Central and Southern Illinois that I saw firsthand was some of the worst I have ever seen, said Durbin. It will take months and even years to rebuild. Additional help is needed to give families in Central and Southern Illinois some relief, especially so close to the holiday season. I thank President Obama for declaration of Individual Assistance and hazard mitigation assistance last month, which is already helping many in my state recover from these horrible storms.\r\n\r\n\"Having seen firsthand the devastation that November's tornadoes brought to thousands of Illinois families, I strongly urge President Obama to provide adequate public assistance and relief to the families and communities affected by these storms,\" Sen. Kirk said. \"The counties affected are facing millions of dollars in damage repairs, and would greatly benefit from further assistance by our Federal government in order to begin the process of rebuilding.\"\r\n\r\nToday, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn sent a letter to President Obama requesting FEMA Public Assistance for nine Illinois counties  Champaign, Douglas, Grundy, Massac, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington, Wayne, and Woodford  due to immense storm damage. Governor Quinn noted that the federal Public Assistance would remove debris, repair damage to public water systems, and continue day-to-day operations as recovery from the disaster continues over the next several months.\r\n\r\nMembers signing on to today's letter include Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Danny Davis (D-IL), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bill Enyart (D-IL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Randy Hultgren (R-IL), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Brad Schneider (D-IL) Aaron Schock (R-IL), and John Shimkus (R-IL).\r\n\r\n[Text of the letter below]\r\n\r\nDecember 19, 2013\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Barack Obama\r\nPresident of the United States\r\nThe White House\r\nWashington, DC\r\n\r\nDear Mr. President:\r\n\r\nWe write in support of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn's request for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance for nine Illinois counties to help them recover from the deadly tornadoes that struck our state on November 17, 2013. Federal assistance is needed in Champaign, Douglas, Grundy, Massac, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington, Wayne, and Woodford Counties. Governor Quinn indicates that federal Public Assistance is needed to help the affected communities remove debris, repair damage to public water systems, and continue day-to-day operations as recovery from the disaster continues over the next several months.\r\n\r\nTwenty-five tornadoes touched down in Illinois that day, killing six people in our state. Two of the tornadoes were category EF4, with wind speeds up to 200-miles per hour. The weather event was the fourth largest November tornado outbreak in U.S. history and the largest in Illinois history. The state has dedicated significant resources to the response and recovery effort, but federal help is needed.\r\n\r\nThank you for your disaster declaration on November 26, in which 15 counties were given federal Individual Assistance. Grants from this program are helping people in Illinois find temporary housing and begin repairing their homes. About 1,000 homes in the state were rendered uninhabitable due to the tornadoes.\r\n\r\nWe respectfully request that you make the necessary declaration so that these counties can receive the assistance they need. We thank you in advance for your timely consideration of this important request and stand ready to assist in any way appropriate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-reed-warren-student-loan-debt-is-hurting-americas-middle-class", "Durbin, Reed, Warren: Student Loan Debt Is Hurting America's Middle Class", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.13\n\t\t\t Durbin, Reed, Warren: Student Loan Debt Is Hurting America's Middle Class \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senators discuss legislative agenda for 2014 to help working families better manage student loan debt and ensure basic protections for new students\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.]  U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today vowed to do more to address America's exploding student loan debt crisis that is reducing homeownership, jeopardizing retirement security, limiting the formation of small businesses, and leading to more income inequality in this country. On a conference call with reporters, the three Senators discussed the higher education priorities they will focus on next year to help working families better manage their student loan debt and ensure basic protections for new students.\r\n\r\nWhen we voted to stop interest rates on federal student loans from doubling, we promised to address the underlying causes of skyrocketing higher education costs and the resulting unsustainable student debt in America, said Durbin. Over the last six months, our group of Senators has been working together on a legislative agenda to encourage reform to help students and their families. Students should not have to sign their lives away to pay for their education.\r\n\r\nOn today's call, Senator Reed announced that he, along with Senators Durbin and Warren, is introducing the Protect Student Borrowers Act of 2013 to help make institutions of higher education more accountable for student indebtedness by requiring institutions to assume some of the risk of a student loan default.\r\n\r\nThe biggest driver of student loan debt is the rising cost of college and we needed to tackle this issue from a variety of angles. I am pleased to join with Senators Durbin and Warren to offer a series of solutions to improve servicing and support for borrowers who are struggling to repay their loans and an opportunity to refinance. We also want states to step up and reinvest in higher education to stop the skyrocketing increases in public school tuition and we want institutions to have more skin in the game to provide a better and more affordable education to students, which will help put the brakes on rising student loan defaults. And look, there is a real incentive to get this right: not just to help students, but to boost our economy. Making college more affordable and ensuring hard working graduates can retire their student debt in a reasonable fashion will unlock a great deal of economic potential and consumer demand and that will have a positive ripple effect throughout our economy, said Senator Reed, who today introduced the Partnerships for Affordability and Student Success (PASS) Act, which will help revitalize the federal-state partnership through a formula grant to states with a focus on need-based aid, grants to institutions to improve student outcomes and reduce college costs, and public accountability. States will be required to have a comprehensive plan for higher education with measurable goals for enrollment, affordability, and outcomes for students.\r\n\r\nOur higher education system is broken, and we need to make fixing it a real priority. We can start by restoring consumer protections to student loans to relieve the burden of existing student loan debt, which is crushing our families. We can also bring down the cost of tuition by investing in our next generation and leveraging federal dollars to incentivize states and institutions to keep costs low and quality high. I will continue to prioritize these goals and look for ways to tackle the rising cost of college through the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act,\" Warren said.\r\n\r\nAmericans have accumulated $1.2 trillion in student loan debt. This is now the largest household debt after mortgages, outpacing credit cards and showing no signs of slowing. Seven in ten college seniors who graduated last year had student loan debt, with an average of $29,400 per borrower. From 2008 to 2012, debt at graduation increased an average of 6% each year.\r\n\r\nRight now, young people are trapped between needing a college degree and burying themselves in debt to earn it, said Ethan Senack, higher education associate for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, an organization with student members on seventy-five college campuses. If we're going to tackle college affordability and our monstrous student debt, we need more lawmakers to make the real commitment to higher education that Senators Durbin, Reed, and Warren made today.\r\n\r\nMillennials are the first generation in American history expected to be financially worse off than their parents, and much of this has to do with student loan debt, said Matthew Segal, co-founder of OurTime.org. The time has arrived for us to step back and ask ourselves: should higher education merely be a commodity for the banking sector or a public good that benefits us all? The answer, at the moment, is far too skewed in one direction.\r\n\r\n Ensuring Basic Rights for Student Loan Borrowers \r\n\r\nEarlier this month, Durbin, Reed and Warren joined U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in introducing the Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights Act to ensure struggling student loan borrowers are treated fairly and understand the full range of repayment options and resources available to them. The legislation provides six basic rights for all federal and private student loan borrowers:\r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to have options such as alternative payment plans to avoid default.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to be informed about key terms and conditions of the loan and any repayment options to ensure changing plans won't cost more.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to know your loan's servicer and who to reach out to when there is a problem.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to consistency when it comes to how monthly payments are applied. Lenders and servicers should also honor promotions and promises that are advertised or offered.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to fairness, like grace periods when loans are transferred or debt cancellation when the borrower dies or becomes disabled.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to accountability, including timely resolution of errors and certification of private loans.\r\n \r\n\r\n Restoring Bankruptcy Relief by Treating Student Loan Debt Like Other Private Debt \r\n\r\nDurbin, Reed and Warren also discussed the need to pass the Fairness for Struggling Students Act of 2013 which would restore fairness in student lending by treating privately issued student loans in bankruptcy the same as other types of private debt. Since 1978, governmentissued or guaranteed student loans have been treated as nondischargeable during bankruptcy in order to safeguard federal investments in higher education. In 2005, the law was unjustifiably changed to give private student loans the same privileged bankruptcy treatment as government loans, even though private student loans have vastly different terms and fewer consumer protections. The bill introduced by Durbin in January and cosponsored by Reed and Warren would restore the bankruptcy law, as it pertains to private student loans, to the language that was in place before 2005 so that privately issued student loans will once again be dischargeable in bankruptcy like nearly all other forms of private debt.\r\n\r\nThere are very few types of debts that the bankruptcy law subjects to a different standard, allowing for discharge in only the most extreme circumstances. For example, the bankruptcy code makes it especially difficult for people to discharge child support responsibilities, overdue taxes, and criminal fines. Privately issued student loans should not be on that list.\r\n\r\nOther cosponsors of the Fairness for Struggling Students Act of 2013 include the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Al Franken (D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), John Rockefeller (D-WV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).\r\n\r\n Brining to Light the Stark Differences Between Federal and Private Student Loans \r\n\r\nThe Know Before You Owe Act of 2013, which was included as part of the Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights Act, would require schools to counsel students before they sign on to expensive, even unnecessary, private student loan debt and inform them if they have any untapped federal student aid eligibility. It would also require the prospective borrower's school to confirm the student's enrollment status, cost of attendance and estimated federal financial aid assistance before the private student loan is approved.\r\n\r\nThere are several stark differences between private student loans and federal student loans. Federal student loans have fixed interest rates and offer an array of consumer protections and favorable terms, including deferment and forbearance in times of economic hardship, as well as manageable repayment options, such as the Income-Based Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.\r\n\r\nIn contrast, private student loans involve only private profit and often resemble credit cards rather than financial aid with uncapped variable interest rates (which spiked as high as 18% in recent years), hefty origination fees and few, if any, consumer protections. Private student loans are ineligible for federal forgiveness, cancellation or repayment programs.\r\n\r\nDurbin introduced and Reed cosponsored the Know Before You Owe Act of 2013 in January. It is also cosponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Al Franken (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), John Rockefeller (D-WV) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=58bbd84a-57cc-4cef-8550-3776b0936c1b", "Durbin, Bustos Applaud New Task Force to Fight Violent Crime in Winnebago County", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.13\n\t\t\t Durbin, Bustos Applaud New Task Force to Fight Violent Crime in Winnebago County \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n[WASHINGTON, DC] \u2013 Following today\u2019s announcement of the formation of the Winnebago County Violent Crime Task Force, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) commended local law enforcement leaders for coordinating their efforts to address violent crime in the Winnebago County area. The new partnership is an outgrowth of a meeting Durbin and Bustos convened with law enforcement leaders in Rockford earlier this year to discuss strategies for coordinating crime fighting across jurisdictions.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis past spring, Congresswoman Bustos and I met with Rockford-area law enforcement leaders to discuss the importance of effective cooperation between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in fighting violent crime,\u201d Durbin said. \u201cSince that meeting, these officials have worked hard to formulate a plan that enhances information-sharing and coordination between agencies, and I am pleased to see such a plan put in place today. I applaud everyone involved for their ongoing efforts to keep families and communities in Winnebago County safe.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cEarlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet with Senator Durbin and local law enforcement leaders from the Rockford area to discuss ways to better collaborate and work together to crack down on the violent crime hurting families across the region,\u201d said Bustos.\u00a0 \u201cI applaud today\u2019s important announcement of the formation of the Winnebago County Violent Crime Task Force.\u00a0 This new regional collaboration will help make Rockford and Winnebago County communities safer for children and families, and better places to live and work, by enhancing partnerships between city, county and federal law enforcement agencies.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nIn May, Durbin and Bustos convened a meeting with city, county and federal law enforcement officials to hear about the violent crime facing Rockford and the law enforcement response. The meeting focused on ensuring cooperation between law enforcement agencies on crime prevention efforts and the sharing of important information between jurisdictions.\u00a0 The task force announced today is an outgrowth of that meeting.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9324f6b4-c60a-4ee5-86ba-a0eedf15f71a", "Durbin, Reed, Warren: Student Loan Debt Is Hurting America's Middle Class", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.13\n\t\t\t Durbin, Reed, Warren: Student Loan Debt Is Hurting America's Middle Class \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senators discuss legislative agenda for 2014 to help working families better manage student loan debt and ensure basic protections for new students\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.] \u2013 U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today vowed to do more to address America\u2019s exploding student loan debt crisis that is reducing homeownership, jeopardizing retirement security, limiting the formation of small businesses, and leading to more income inequality in this country.\u00a0 On a conference call with reporters, the three Senators discussed the higher education priorities they will focus on next year to help working families better manage their student loan debt and ensure basic protections for new students.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cWhen we voted to stop interest rates on federal student loans from doubling, we promised to address the underlying causes of skyrocketing higher education costs and the resulting unsustainable student debt in America,\u201d said Durbin.\u00a0 \u201cOver the last six months, our group of Senators has been working together on a legislative agenda to encourage reform to help students and their families.\u00a0 Students should not have to sign their lives away to pay for their education.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nOn today\u2019s call, Senator Reed announced that he, along with Senators Durbin and Warren, is introducing the Protect Student Borrowers Act of 2013 to help make institutions of higher education more accountable for student indebtedness by requiring institutions to assume some of the risk of a student loan default.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe biggest driver of student loan debt is the rising cost of college and we needed to tackle this issue from a variety of angles.\u00a0 I am pleased to join with Senators Durbin and Warren to offer a series of solutions to improve servicing and support for borrowers who are struggling to repay their loans and an opportunity to refinance.\u00a0 We also want states to step up and reinvest in higher education to stop the skyrocketing increases in public school tuition and we want institutions to have more skin in the game to provide a better and more affordable education to students, which will help put the brakes on rising student loan defaults.\u00a0 And look, there is a real incentive to get this right: not just to help students, but to boost our economy.\u00a0 Making college more affordable and ensuring hard working graduates can retire their student debt in a reasonable fashion will unlock a great deal of economic potential and consumer demand and that will have a positive ripple effect throughout our economy,\u201d said Senator Reed, who today introduced the Partnerships for Affordability and Student Success (PASS) Act, which will help revitalize the federal-state partnership through a formula grant to states with a focus on need-based aid, grants to institutions to improve student outcomes and reduce college costs, and public accountability.\u00a0\u00a0 States will be required to have a comprehensive plan for higher education with measurable goals for enrollment, affordability, and outcomes for students.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cOur higher education system is broken, and we need to make fixing it a real priority. We can start by restoring consumer protections to student loans to relieve the burden of existing student loan debt, which is crushing our families. We can also bring down the cost of tuition by investing in our next generation and leveraging federal dollars to incentivize states and institutions to keep costs low and quality high. I will continue to prioritize these goals and look for ways to tackle the rising cost of college through the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act,\" Warren said.\r\n\u00a0\r\nAmericans have accumulated $1.2 trillion in student loan debt.\u00a0 This is now the largest household debt after mortgages, outpacing credit cards and showing no signs of slowing.\u00a0 Seven in ten college seniors who graduated last year had student loan debt, with an average of $29,400 per borrower.\u00a0 From 2008 to 2012, debt at graduation increased an average of 6% each year.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cRight now, young people are trapped between needing a college degree and burying themselves in debt to earn it,\u201d said Ethan Senack, higher education associate for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, an organization with student members on seventy-five college campuses. \u201cIf we\u2019re going to tackle college affordability and our monstrous student debt, we need more lawmakers to make the real commitment to higher education that Senators Durbin, Reed, and Warren made today.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cMillennials are the first generation in American history expected to be financially worse off than their parents, and much of this has to do with student loan debt,\u201d said Matthew Segal, co-founder of OurTime.org. \u201cThe time has arrived for us to step back and ask ourselves: should higher education merely be a commodity for the banking sector or a public good that benefits us all? The answer, at the moment, is far too skewed in one direction.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n Ensuring Basic Rights for Student Loan Borrowers \r\n\u00a0\r\nEarlier this month, Durbin, Reed and Warren joined U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in introducing the Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights Act to ensure struggling student loan borrowers are treated fairly and understand the full range of repayment options and resources available to them.\u00a0 The legislation provides six basic rights for all federal and private student loan borrowers:\r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to have options such as alternative payment plans to avoid default.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to be informed about key terms and conditions of the loan and any repayment options to ensure changing plans won\u2019t cost more.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to know your loan\u2019s servicer and who to reach out to when there is a problem.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to consistency when it comes to how monthly payments are applied. Lenders and servicers should also honor promotions and promises that are advertised or offered.\u00a0\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to fairness, like grace periods when loans are transferred or debt cancellation when the borrower dies or becomes disabled.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to accountability, including timely resolution of errors and certification of private loans.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n Restoring Bankruptcy Relief by Treating Student Loan Debt Like Other Private Debt \r\n\u00a0\r\nDurbin, Reed and Warren also discussed the need to pass the Fairness for Struggling Students Act of 2013 which would restore fairness in student lending by treating privately issued student loans in bankruptcy the same as other types of private debt.\u00a0 Since 1978, government\u00a0issued or guaranteed student loans have been treated as nondischargeable during bankruptcy in order to safeguard federal investments in higher education.\u00a0 In 2005, the law was unjustifiably changed to give private student loans the same privileged bankruptcy treatment as government loans, even though private student loans have vastly different terms and fewer consumer protections. \u00a0The bill introduced by Durbin in January and cosponsored by Reed and Warren would restore the bankruptcy law, as it pertains to private student loans, to the language that was in place before 2005 so that privately issued student loans will once again be dischargeable in bankruptcy like nearly all other forms of private debt.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nThere are very few types of debts that the bankruptcy law subjects to a different standard, allowing for discharge in only the most extreme circumstances.\u00a0 For example, the bankruptcy code makes it especially difficult for people to discharge child support responsibilities, overdue taxes, and criminal fines.\u00a0 Privately issued student loans should not be on that list.\r\n\u00a0\r\nOther cosponsors of the Fairness for Struggling Students Act of 2013 include the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Al Franken (D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), John Rockefeller (D-WV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n Brining to Light the Stark Differences Between Federal and Private Student Loans \r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Know Before You Owe Act of 2013, which was included as part of the Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights Act, would require schools to counsel students before they sign on to expensive, even unnecessary, private student loan debt and inform them if they have any untapped federal student aid eligibility.\u00a0 It would also require the prospective borrower\u2019s school to confirm the student\u2019s enrollment status, cost of attendance and estimated federal financial aid assistance before the private student loan is approved.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nThere are several stark differences between private student loans and federal student loans. Federal student loans have fixed interest rates and offer an array of consumer protections and favorable terms, including deferment and forbearance in times of economic hardship, as well as manageable repayment options, such as the Income-Based Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.\r\n\u00a0\r\nIn contrast, private student loans involve only private profit and often resemble credit cards rather than financial aid with uncapped variable interest rates (which spiked as high as 18% in recent years), hefty origination fees and few, if any, consumer protections.\u00a0 Private student loans are ineligible for federal forgiveness, cancellation or repayment programs.\r\n\u00a0\r\nDurbin introduced and Reed cosponsored the Know Before You Owe Act of 2013 in January.\u00a0 It is also cosponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Al Franken (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), John Rockefeller (D-WV) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=bf35ff17-5cf6-41e3-8a79-35b82cc53e61", "Durbin, Kirk, Delegation Call on President to Provide Federal Public Assistance for Southern and Central Illinois Counties", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.13\n\t\t\t Durbin, Kirk, Delegation Call on President to Provide Federal Public Assistance for Southern and Central Illinois Counties \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, DC] \u2013 U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) were joined by the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation today sending a letter to President Obama asking him to provide Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance to help nine Illinois counties recover from the deadly tornadoes that struck the state on November 17, 2013.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe tornado damage from severe storms this fall in Central and Southern Illinois that I saw firsthand was some of the worst I have ever seen,\u201d said Durbin. \u201cIt will take months and even years to rebuild. Additional help is needed to give families in Central and Southern Illinois some relief, especially so close to the holiday season. I thank President Obama for declaration of Individual Assistance and hazard mitigation assistance last month, which is already helping many in my state recover from these horrible storms.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\"Having seen firsthand the devastation that November's tornadoes brought to thousands of Illinois families, I strongly urge President Obama to provide adequate public assistance and relief to the families and communities affected by these storms,\" Sen. Kirk said. \"The counties affected are facing millions of dollars in damage repairs, and would greatly benefit from further assistance by our Federal government in order to begin the process of rebuilding.\"\r\n\u00a0\r\nToday, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn sent a letter to President Obama requesting FEMA Public Assistance for nine Illinois counties \u2013 Champaign, Douglas, Grundy, Massac, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington, Wayne, and Woodford \u2013 due to immense storm damage. Governor Quinn noted that the federal Public Assistance would remove debris, repair damage to public water systems, and continue day-to-day operations as recovery from the disaster continues over the next several months.\r\n\u00a0\r\nMembers signing on to today\u2019s letter include Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Danny Davis (D-IL), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bill Enyart (D-IL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Randy Hultgren (R-IL), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Brad Schneider (D-IL) Aaron Schock (R-IL), and John Shimkus (R-IL).\r\n\u00a0\r\n[Text of the letter below]\r\n\u00a0\r\nDecember 19, 2013\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Honorable Barack Obama\r\nPresident of the United States\r\nThe White House\r\nWashington, DC\r\n\u00a0\r\nDear Mr. President:\r\n\u00a0\r\nWe write in support of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn\u2019s request for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance for nine Illinois counties to help them recover from the deadly tornadoes that struck our state on November 17, 2013.\u00a0 Federal assistance is needed in Champaign, Douglas, Grundy, Massac, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington, Wayne, and Woodford Counties.\u00a0 Governor Quinn indicates that federal Public Assistance is needed to help the affected communities remove debris, repair damage to public water systems, and continue day-to-day operations as recovery from the disaster continues over the next several months.\r\n\u00a0\r\nTwenty-five tornadoes touched down in Illinois that day, killing six people in our state.\u00a0 Two of the tornadoes were category EF4, with wind speeds up to 200-miles per hour.\u00a0 The weather event was the fourth largest November tornado outbreak in U.S. history and the largest in Illinois history.\u00a0 The state has dedicated significant resources to the response and recovery effort, but federal help is needed.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThank you for your disaster declaration on November 26, in which 15 counties were given federal Individual Assistance.\u00a0 Grants from this program are helping people in Illinois find temporary housing and begin repairing their homes.\u00a0 About 1,000 homes in the state were rendered uninhabitable due to the tornadoes.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nWe respectfully request that you make the necessary declaration so that these counties can receive the assistance they need.\u00a0 We thank you in advance for your timely consideration of this important request and stand ready to assist in any way appropriate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=d8be44f7-4945-4fa5-b2ca-9938382104a2", "Durbin Discusses Priorities for Creating Jobs and Growing America's Middle Class", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Discusses Priorities for Creating Jobs and Growing America's Middle Class \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, D.C.] \u2013 During a press conference with Senate Democratic Leadership, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) discussed Senate Democrats\u2019 commitment to creating jobs and providing economic certainty for America\u2019s middle class. Senator Durbin spoke on several issues including extending federal unemployment benefits, helping hardworking families tackle the burden of student loan debt, and raising the federal minimum wage. The first bill the Senate will consider when it returns in January will be an extension of unemployment benefits for those still struggling to get back on their feet.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis issue of unemployment benefits means that about 1.3 million Americans are going to see their benefits cut, 63,000 in my home state of Illinois. For many of these people, unemployment benefits are their only source of income. It may mean the difference of whether they're homeless or have a place to live. Including workers' families, nearly 69 million people, including 17 million children, were supported by extended unemployment insurance benefits. If we really care about working families and those who are on their way back to work, we've got to extend these unemployment benefit.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cAnd the last point I want to make, if we're sensitive to the needs of working families, we cannot ignore the burden that many of these families face because of student loan debt. I just completed a press conference this morning with Elizabeth Warren and Jack Reed. Barbara Boxer is joining us in this effort. It is time for us to tackle head-on this unfair treatment of students and their families across America and the economic burden it creates for them and the drag it creates on our economy. When we return next year, we need to make working families our highest priority.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nEarlier this month, Durbin, Reed and Warren joined U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in introducing the Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights Act to ensure struggling student loan borrowers are treated fairly and understand the full range of repayment options and resources available to them.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/illinois-members-release-county-by-county-numbers-of-those-affected-by", "Illinois Members Release County-By-County Numbers of Those Affected by Not Extending Unemployment Insurance", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Robin Kelly", "K000385", "robinkelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On December 28th almost 82,000 people in Illinois are set to lose their unemployment insurance coverage because House Republicans blocked an effort to extend the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program into 2014.\u00a0 An additional 89,000 people in Illinois will lose their coverage in the first six months of 2014 if Republicans continue to block an extension of the program. Failure to extend federal unemployment insurance would hurt job growth throughout the nation, costing the economy 240,000 jobs, according to the White House Council of Economic Advisers.\u00a0 The CEA estimates that in Illinois alone, failing to extend the program will cost 13,345 jobs.\u00a0 The county-by-county breakdown, based on the total number of people in Illinois currently receiving federal unemployment insurance, is below. The information was provided by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. \u201cThree days after Christmas, 1.3 million people will lose their emergency unemployment benefits,\u201d said Rep. Jan Schakowsky.\u00a0 \u201cThat is inexcusable and Congress has an obligation to ensure that millions of people can keep their modest benefits.\u00a0 I continue to urge Speaker Boehner to call the House back into session to take a vote on extending these crucial unemployment benefits, which if not extended will harm both families and local economies, and result in the loss of 240,000 more jobs.\u201d \u201cUnemployed Americans shouldn\u2019t have to wait around for Congress to do the right thing and protect the most vulnerable among us,\u201d said Rep. Mike Quigley.\u00a0 \u201cFailure to extend the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program would hurt job growth and devastate recipients in the Chicago area at a time when they need this critical benefit the most.\u201d \u201cI am very disappointed that Congress went home for the year without extending unemployment insurance,\u201d said Rep. Bill Foster.\u00a0 \u201cOur economy is still recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression.\u00a0 Now is not the time to pull this important safety net out from under thousands of Illinois residents who are still searching for employment. \u201d \u201cIt's simply unconscionable to think that, as we head into the holidays and with the economy continuing to slowly recover, Congress would fail to act to extend these critically important emergency unemployment benefits,\u201d said Rep. Brad Schneider.\u00a0 \u201cMany of the families in my district and throughout the country continue to struggle and depend on these benefits, which is why I call on all of my colleagues to support an extension as soon as possible.\u201d \u201cWith our economy still recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression, and with far too many families across our region still looking hard for work this holiday season, now is not the time to cut off this important lifeline,\u201d said Rep. Cheri Bustos. \u201cWhile national unemployment is improving, Illinois' unemployment rate of 8.9% is still well above the national average. Unemployment insurance is a critical lifeline for thousands of Illinois families who are working hard to get back on their feet in this economy,\u201d said Rep. Robin Kelly. \u201cNow is not the time to pull the rug out from under these families. We must extend unemployment insurance to give them the support they need to find work as our economy recovers.\u201d\n\t\t\t\tCounty \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t# OF PEOPLE LOSING COVERAGE DEC. 28\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAdams\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t258\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAlexander\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t33\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBond\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t92\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBoone\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t328\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBrown\u00a0\u00a0 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Page\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 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Clair\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1,667\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSaline\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t220\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSangamon\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1,059\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSchuyler\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t38\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tScott\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t26\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tShelby\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t113\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tStark\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t29\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tStephenson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t337\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTazewell\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t891\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tUnion\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t101\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tVermilion\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t533\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWabash\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t19\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWarren\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t53\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWashington\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t56\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWayne\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t65\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhite\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t62\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhiteside\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t351\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWill\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t4,474\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWilliamson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t440\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWinnebago\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t2,388\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWoodford\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t193\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTotal\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t81,867", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-joins-bipartisan-group-of-senators-in-protesting-epas-renewable-fuel-standard-proposal", "Durbin Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators in Protesting EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard Proposal", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators in Protesting EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard Proposal \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined a bipartisan group of Senators in a meeting on Capitol Hill with the Administration of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Gina McCarthy, to protest the agency's recent proposal reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). After the meeting, Durbin made the following statement:\r\n\r\nI was proud to join a bipartisan group of Senators today in opposing the EPA's effort to undermine the Renewable Fuels Standard that was created by Congress in 2002 to drive growth in the biofuels industry, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate rural economies across America. It's a standard that has been working.\r\n\r\nLast year, we used 13.3 billion gallons of ethanol to displace 465 million barrels of oil. That is 12% of the total US crude oil imports. In 2012, ethanol reduced emissions from cars and trucks by 33.4 million tons. That's the equivalent of taking 5.2 million cars off the road. And steady biofuels production in Illinois means new jobs in communities that were having trouble economically even before the recession. The 14 ethanol plants in Illinois have led to 5,400 direct jobs and payroll exceeding $250 million.\r\n\r\nBiofuels are an important part of our energy future and the right path for our country. But, if the proposed rule is made final, we may never realize the full benefits of Renewable Fuels Standard.\r\n\r\nIn November, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Prior to the ruling, Durbin joined with thirty-one members of the U.S. Senate in sending a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Office of Management and Budget Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell encouraging the agencies not to decrease the RFS. In late October, Durbin sent a similar letter to Burwell.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-to-chair-hearing-on-ongoing-syrian-refugee-crisis", "Durbin to Chair Hearing on Ongoing Syrian Refugee Crisis", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.13\n\t\t\t Durbin to Chair Hearing on Ongoing Syrian Refugee Crisis \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t 2.3 Million Refugees Have Fled Civil War; Worst Refugee Crisis Since Rwanda in 1994\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that he will hold a hearing on the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. The hearing will be held at 2:30pm in room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington.\r\n\r\nThe hearing will focus on the plight of Syrian refugees fleeing the violent civil war in their home country. Approximately 2.3 million Syrian refugees have fled the country since the outbreak of the civil war, a number projected to reach 3.5 million by the end of the year. According to the UN High Commissioner on Refugees, it is the worst refugee crisis since the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Of these refugees, three-quarters are women and children, including 1.1 million children.\r\n\r\nThe hearing will examine the scope of the humanitarian crisis, including significant obstacles to humanitarian assistance and challenges facing host nations. The hearing will also focus on the prospects for the United States accepting Syrian refugees. UNHCR is seeking to resettle approximately 40,000 particularly vulnerable refugees in FY 2014. The United States typically accepts about half of resettled refugees. The hearing will explore additional steps Congress and the Administration should take to address the Syrian refugee crisis.\r\n\r\nWitnesses will be announced at a later date. The hearing will be webcast at www.judiciary.senate.gov.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=5edd68b8-cf9f-4788-9084-9e2e17904afc", "Durbin to Chair Hearing on Ongoing Syrian Refugee Crisis", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.13\n\t\t\t Durbin to Chair Hearing on Ongoing Syrian Refugee Crisis \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t 2.3 Million Refugees Have Fled Civil War; Worst Refugee Crisis Since Rwanda in 1994\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C. \u2013 Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights, Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that he will hold a hearing on the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. The hearing will be held at 2:30pm in room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe hearing will focus on the plight of Syrian refugees fleeing the violent civil war in their home country. Approximately 2.3 million Syrian refugees have fled the country since the outbreak of the civil war, a number projected to reach 3.5 million by the end of the year.\u00a0 According to the UN High Commissioner on Refugees, it is the worst refugee crisis since the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Of these refugees, three-quarters are women and children, including 1.1 million children.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe hearing will examine the scope of the humanitarian crisis, including significant obstacles to humanitarian assistance and challenges facing host nations. The hearing will also focus on the prospects for the United States accepting Syrian refugees.\u00a0 UNHCR is seeking to resettle approximately 40,000 particularly vulnerable refugees in FY 2014.\u00a0 The United States typically accepts about half of resettled refugees. The hearing will explore additional steps Congress and the Administration should take to address the Syrian refugee crisis.\r\n\u00a0\r\nWitnesses will be announced at a later date. The hearing will be webcast at www.judiciary.senate.gov.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140427175031/http://schneider.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/illinois-members-release-county-by-county-numbers-of-those-affected-by", "Illinois Members Release County-By-County Numbers of Those Affected by Not Extending Unemployment Insurance", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Reps. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Bill Foster (IL-11), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the following county-by-county numbers of people who would immediately lose all of their unemployment insurance: On December 28th almost 82,000 people in Illinois are set to lose their unemployment insurance coverage because House Republicans blocked an effort to extend the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program into 2014.\u00a0 An additional 89,000 people in Illinois will lose their coverage in the first six months of 2014 if Republicans continue to block an extension of the program. Failure to extend federal unemployment insurance would hurt job growth throughout the nation, costing the economy 240,000 jobs, according to the White House Council of Economic Advisers.\u00a0 The CEA estimates that in Illinois alone, failing to extend the program will cost 13,345 jobs.\u00a0 The county-by-county breakdown, based on the total number of people in Illinois currently receiving federal unemployment insurance, is below. The information was provided by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. \u201cIt's simply unconscionable to think that, as we head into the holidays and with the economy continuing to slowly recover, Congress would fail to act to extend these critically important emergency unemployment benefits,\u201d said\u00a0Rep. Brad Schneider.\u00a0 \u201cMany of the families in my district and throughout the country continue to struggle and depend on these benefits, which is why I call on all of my colleagues to support an extension as soon as possible.\u201d \u201cThree days after Christmas, 1.3 million people will lose their emergency unemployment benefits,\u201d said Rep. Jan Schakowsky.\u00a0 \u201cThat is inexcusable and Congress has an obligation to ensure that millions of people can keep their modest benefits.\u00a0 I continue to urge Speaker Boehner to call the House back into session to take a vote on extending these crucial unemployment benefits, which if not extended will harm both families and local economies, and result in the loss of 240,000 more jobs.\u201d \u201cUnemployed Americans shouldn\u2019t have to wait around for Congress to do the right thing and protect the most vulnerable among us,\u201d said Rep. Mike Quigley.\u00a0 \u201cFailure to extend the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program would hurt job growth and devastate recipients in the Chicago area at a time when they need this critical benefit the most.\u201d \u201cI am very disappointed that Congress went home for the year without extending unemployment insurance,\u201d said Rep. Bill Foster.\u00a0 \u201cOur economy is still recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression.\u00a0 Now is not the time to pull this important safety net out from under thousands of Illinois residents who are still searching for employment. \u201d \u201cWith our economy still recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression, and with far too many families across our region still looking hard for work this holiday season, now is not the time to cut off this important lifeline,\u201d said Rep. Cheri Bustos. \u201cWhile national unemployment is improving, Illinois' unemployment rate of 8.9% is still well above the national average. Unemployment insurance is a critical lifeline for thousands of Illinois families who are working hard to get back on their feet in this economy,\u201d said Rep. Robin Kelly. \u201cNow is not the time to pull the rug out from under these families. We must extend unemployment insurance to give them the support they need to find work as our economy recovers.\u201d\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tCounty\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t# OF PEOPLE LOSING COVERAGE DEC. 28\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAdams\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t258\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAlexander\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t33\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBond\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t92\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBoone\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t328\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBrown\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t13\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBureau\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t205\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCalhoun\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t27\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCarroll\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t50\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCass\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t76\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tChampaign\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t789\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tChristian\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t233\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tClark\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t62\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tClay\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t62\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tClinton\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t158\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tColes\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t218\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCook\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 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Clair\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1,667\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSaline\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t220\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSangamon\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t1,059\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSchuyler\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t38\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tScott\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t26\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tShelby\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t113\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tStark\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t29\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tStephenson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t337\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTazewell\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t891\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tUnion\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t101\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tVermilion\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t533\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWabash\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t19\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWarren\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t53\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWashington\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t56\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWayne\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t65\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhite\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t62\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhiteside\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t351\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWill\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t4,474\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWilliamson\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t440\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWinnebago\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t2,388\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWoodford\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t193\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTotal\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t81,867", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-applaud-cfpbs-call-for-transparency-regarding-campus-debit-card-programs", "Durbin Applaud CFPB'S Call for Transparency Regarding Campus Debit Card Programs", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Applaud CFPB'S Call for Transparency Regarding Campus Debit Card Programs \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Durbin request sparked CFPB inquiry into risky campus financial products\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.]  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) call for financial institutions to publicly disclose agreements with colleges and universities to market financial products to students, including debit, prepaid, and other products. Durbin and U.S. Representative George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, have been leaders in calling attention to this issue, and submitted a request to CFPB last year asking that the agency investigate the impact of campus financial products marketed to college students.\r\n\r\nHelping protect students from risky campus financial products is exactly the kind of work the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was designed to do, Durbin said. I applaud the CFPB for taking steps to ensure that students are protected from predatory marketing practices and hidden fees, and I second their call for increased transparency regarding campus debit card programs that may be leaving students already burdened by loans even deeper in debt.\r\n\r\nIn June 2012, Durbin and Miller sent letters to CFPB Director Richard Cordray, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Department of Education Inspector General Kathleen Tighe, expressing concern over the adverse financial impact debit card agreements between banks and institutions of higher education may be having on college students. Durbin and Miller urged the Department of Education and CFPB to carefully examine the bank-affiliated student debit card practices at over 900 colleges and universities. A copy of the letter to Secretary Duncan is available here and a copy of the letter to Director Cordray andInspector General Tighe is available here.\r\n\r\nIn response to Durbin and Miller's request, the CFPB announced that it would be launching an inquiry into the impact of campus financial products marketed to students by colleges to determine whether these arrangements are in the best interest of students. In September, the CFPB hosted a public forum to present its initial findings, based on public comments and other market information. Already, CFPB has found a shift in financial product marketing partnerships from college credit card agreements to student checking and debit and prepaid card products.\r\n\r\nAlso, in September, Durbin and Miller sent letters to some of the nation's largest banks asking bank executives to explain the scope of their financial arrangements with colleges, how much money the deals pay to colleges, and how much in fees are charged to students. The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (DOH) and Elizabeth Warren (DMA) and U.S. Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), and Peter Welch (D-VT). A copy of that letter is available here.\r\n\r\nAccording to a report released from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) Education Fund, more than 9 million students across the country are at risk of being nickel-and-dimed with unreasonable fees because their campus debit cards may come with high user fees, hidden transaction costs and insufficient consumer protections  adding to the mountain of debt many higher-education students are already taking on.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=6337ad2b-dd14-4aad-aa69-5e0bf5ad7e1e", "Durbin Applaud CFPB'S Call for Transparency Regarding Campus Debit Card Programs", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Applaud CFPB'S Call for Transparency Regarding Campus Debit Card Programs \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Durbin request sparked CFPB inquiry into risky campus financial products\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.] \u2013 U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today commended the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau\u2019s (CFPB) call for financial institutions to publicly disclose agreements with colleges and universities to market financial products to students, including debit, prepaid, and other products. Durbin and U.S. Representative George Miller (D-CA), the senior Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, have been leaders in calling attention to this issue, and submitted a request to CFPB last year asking that the agency investigate the impact of campus financial products marketed to college students.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cHelping protect students from risky campus financial products is exactly the kind of work the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was designed to do,\u201d Durbin said. \u201cI applaud the CFPB for taking steps to ensure that students are protected from predatory marketing practices and hidden fees, and I second their call for increased transparency regarding campus debit card programs that may be leaving students already burdened by loans even deeper in debt.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nIn June 2012, Durbin and Miller sent letters to CFPB Director Richard Cordray, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Department of Education Inspector General Kathleen Tighe, expressing concern over the adverse financial impact debit card agreements between banks and institutions of higher education may be having on college students.\u00a0 Durbin and Miller urged the Department of Education and CFPB to carefully examine the bank-affiliated student debit card practices at over 900 colleges and universities. A copy of the letter to Secretary Duncan is available here and a copy of the letter to Director Cordray and\u00a0Inspector General Tighe is available here.\r\n\u00a0\r\nIn response to Durbin and Miller\u2019s request, the CFPB announced that it would be launching an inquiry into the impact of campus financial products marketed to students by colleges to determine whether these arrangements are in the best interest of students. In September, the CFPB hosted a public forum to present its initial findings, based on public comments and other market information. Already, CFPB has found a shift in financial product marketing partnerships from college credit card agreements to student checking and debit and prepaid card products.\r\n\u00a0\r\nAlso, in September, Durbin and Miller sent letters to some of the nation\u2019s largest banks asking bank executives to explain the scope of their financial arrangements with colleges, how much money the deals pay to colleges, and how much in fees are charged to students. The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D\u2013OH) and Elizabeth Warren (D\u2013MA) and U.S. Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), and Peter Welch (D-VT). A copy of that letter is available here.\r\n\u00a0\r\nAccording to a report released from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) Education Fund, more than 9 million students across the country are at risk of being nickel-and-dimed with unreasonable fees because their campus debit cards may come with high user fees, hidden transaction costs and insufficient consumer protections \u2013 adding to the mountain of debt many higher-education students are already taking on.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301092842/http://schneider.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-schneider-helps-introduce-veterans-entrepreneurs-act", "Rep. Schneider Helps Introduce Veterans Entrepreneurs Act", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) helped introduce the Veterans Entrepreneurs Act (H.R.\u00a03725) to reduce fees for veterans looking to open franchises.\nThe Veterans Entrepreneurs Act creates a tax credit for veterans worth 25 percent of the total franchise fee.\n\u201cMaking it easier for veterans to become small business owners is a simple and effective way to help grow our economy and expand\u00a0opportunities\u00a0for the men and women of our armed forces,\u201d\u00a0Schneider said.\u00a0\u201cOur veterans offer unique skills and leadership abilities, yet far too many face stubbornly-high unemployment and prohibitively-high costs of starting a small business. This bill will help\u00a0partially\u00a0relieve those costs and help put more veterans back to work.\u201d\nThere are nearly 750,000 unemployed veterans in the country, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. In Illinois, 6.8 percent of veterans were unemployed last year, with the rate much higher for veterans 18-34 years old.\nSchneider, a member of the House Small Business Committee, hosted a veterans jobs fair in August and, through his \u201cBrad at Your Business\u201d initiative, has met with many veteran business owners.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140425150207/http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=4d83895e-b1c8-46aa-a341-07f3d204b670", "Pet Coke", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Following a visit to communities near open-air petroleum coke storage sites in Chicago, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) announced they had asked the Centers for Disease Control to study the threat to public health posed by the substance on Monday, December 16. Durbin was joined on his tour by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-and-kelly-urge-centers-for-disease-control-to-study-threat-to-public-health-posed-by-pet-coke", "Durbin and Kelly Urge Centers for Disease Control to Study Threat to Public Health Posed by Pet Coke", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.13\n\t\t\t Durbin and Kelly Urge Centers for Disease Control to Study Threat to Public Health Posed by Pet Coke \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Following Visit to Communities Near Open-Air Storage Sites, Senator and Congresswoman Also Send Letter to Illinois EPA Weighing In On KCBX Permit Application\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [CHICAGO]  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today sent a pair of letters in response to the potential threat posed to Southeast Chicago residents by nearby petroleum coke storage sites. Petroleum coke, a potentially harmful byproduct of petroleum refining more commonly known as pet coke, is stored in open-air sites near residential blocks in the area. Durbin visited some of those communities today. Kelly visited the communities previously.\r\n\r\nToday I had a chance to see and hear firsthand how open-air pet coke storage sites are affecting residents of Chicago's far southeast side, Durbin said. On windy days, families are forced to keep their children inside to keep them away from the toxic dust blowing off these pet coke piles. Homeowners have cause to be concerned they are being repeatedly exposed to a dangerous dust as high levels of particulate matter are known to aggravate asthma, lead to premature deaths in people with heart or lung disease, and cause nonfatal heart attacks. I have co-sponsored legislation to ensure we understand the effects of pet coke and today am sending letters calling on other government agencies to closely examine its potential threat to public health. I hope these actions will help protect the communities I visited today from any harmful effects of pet coke.\r\n\r\nResidents of the 10th Ward have had to endure pet coke dust storms blowing across their neighborhoods, air pollution that has the potential to cause serious health problems for families. Regulations must be enacted to ensure that pet coke is properly stored and does not pose a risk to the health of our children or contaminate the environment, Kelly said. I'm currently co-sponsoring legislation calling for testing of the health and environmental effects of pet coke. It is the first step toward regulating pet coke as a hazardous substance. It is vital that pet coke is securely enclosed and no longer a potential danger to the community.\r\n\r\nIn their first letter, to Dr. Tom Frieden, Administrator of the Center for Disease Control's Agency or Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Durbin and Kelly ask the agency to study the public health risks posed by the unenclosed storage of petroleum coke in the community.\r\n\r\nI am concerned that many Chicagoans living around facilities that store petroleum coke are regularly being exposed to dust pollution that is extraordinarily dangerous, they wrote to the CDC. I urge ATSDR to thoroughly examine any potential negative public health impacts caused by the storage of petroleum coke in Southeast Chicago and other residential areas.\r\n\r\nThe Senator and Congresswoman also sent a letter to Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Lisa Bonnett, weighing in on the new air permit application filed by energy company KCBX for its open-air petroleum coke storage site in the neighborhood. The letter urges IEPA to carefully review the application to ensure KCBX's permit complies with all federal air quality standards and regulations.\r\n\r\nAir quality monitors in the area surrounding the KCBX facility often register record high levels of particulate matter which is known to aggravate asthma, lead to premature deaths in people with heart or lung disease, and cause nonfatal heart attacks, the legislators wrote. Due to these health risks, homeowners in the neighborhoods surrounding KCBX are concerned that they are being repeatedly exposed to hazardous particles and have filed a class-action lawsuit against KCBX for air pollution violations. In light of these developments, I urge IEPA to critically review KCBX's new air permit application to ensure that it complies with all Clean Air Act regulationsincluding the National Ambient Air Quality Standardsand protects the public from any negative health impacts.\r\n  \r\nPet coke particles contain hazardous contaminants, including sulfur, non-volatile organics and heavy metals, which can cause adverse health effects. It is currently stored at three facilities in Southeast Chicago KCBX North, KCBX South, and Beemsterboer. In response to the dust from the storage sites being blown on to neighborhoods, homeowners have filed a lawsuit against the companies.\r\n\r\nIn July, Durbin co-sponsored the Petroleum Coke Transparency and Public Health Act, a bill that would require the EPA and the U.S. Departments of Health and Energy to conduct a comprehensive study on petroleum coke. Last month, the Senator sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator McCarthy asking the agency to respond immediately to the issues in Chicago using all available authorities. Shortly after receiving the letter, the EPA sent a notice to KCBX requiring it to install additional air monitors to measure particulate matter at the site for one year.\r\n\r\nKelly has also co-sponsored legislation calling for testing of the health and environmental effects of pet coke.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://gutierrez.house.gov/press-release/guti%C3%A9rrez-bipartisan-budget-deal-raises-hopes-immigration-reform-2014", "GUTI\u00c9RREZ: BIPARTISAN BUDGET DEAL RAISES HOPES FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM IN 2014", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Luis Guti\u00e9rrez", "G000535", "gutierrez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\"We need to see the same level of commitment from House and Senate Leadership, \nthe White House, and the continued push of the American people to move us \nto action and compromise on immigration reform.\"\n\u00a0\nWashington, DC \u2013 This afternoon, Rep. Luis V. Guti\u00e9rrez (D-IL) voted for the bipartisan budget deal worked out between Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Paul Ryan.\u00a0 The following is a statement from Rep. Guti\u00e9rrez:\n\"I voted for the budget deal because it renews my faith in bipartisanship and in getting things done on difficult policy issues, even though there are aspects of the deal that I do not like.\u00a0 But that is the nature of compromise and the deal keeps us moving forward and allows the Congress to focus on other important issues like the economy, immigration reform, health care and gun-violence.\u00a0\n\"The two Houses of Congress and the two parties can work out immigration reform in 2014 in a similar manner.\u00a0 It takes commitment from the leaders in both parties and it takes hard work and the willingness to compromise.\u00a0 I think Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi should appoint a team to lead the effort to get immigration reform across the finish line.\n\"I am still optimistic about the prospects for immigration reform in 2014 because immigration reform is easier than the budget.\u00a0 There is much more consensus among voters and among Members of Congress in both parties.\u00a0 My informal talks with Republicans are encouraging because there is a critical mass that wants to reach a compromise.\u00a0 And among Democrats, there is more unity than ever before behind reform.\n\"It will still not be easy, but the polls, the policy, and the political winds all point towards action in 2014.\u00a0 We need to see the same level of commitment from House and Senate Leadership, the White House, and the continued push of the American people to move us to action and compromise on immigration reform.\u00a0 The budget deal gives me a sense of hope that compromise and progress are still possible in Washington.\"\n\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301120202/http://bustos.house.gov/press-and-media/press-releases/bustos-leads-common-sense-effort-to-ensure-all-illinoisans-have", "Bustos Leads Common Sense Effort To Ensure All Illinoisans Have Access To Health Care Come January 1st", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Bustos Fix Would Protect Those Who Were Unable To Sign Up For Health Insurance Due To Exchange Glitches  \n\t\u00a0  \u201cLike folks across Illinois, I\u2019ve been frustrated by the poor implementation of the Affordable Care Act - health care consumers truly deserve better,\u201d said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.\u00a0 \u201cThis common sense fix I introduced today would ensure people across our region of Illinois, and the country, aren\u2019t unfairly penalized for a situation beyond their control.\u00a0 It offers a reasonable solution to protect those who put in a good faith effort to enroll in the marketplace by ensuring they have health coverage next year.\u00a0 I\u2019ll keep fighting to do my part to make sure all Americans have access to the quality and affordable health care they deserve.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0 Bustos\u2019 bill would provide retroactive insurance coverage to January 1st, 2014, for individuals who tried to enroll in an exchange health plan prior to December 23rd, 2013, and were not able to through no fault of their own despite a good faith effort, as long as they enroll and pay their premium by January 31st, 2014.\u00a0 The bill would also ensure that people who enrolled correctly, but do not yet have their insurance card, are not discriminated against when they seek health care.\u00a0 It would also protect those who were incorrectly determined to be eligible for Medicaid and prevented from enrolling though the marketplace.\u00a0  Bustos is a strong supporter of making sure all Americans have access to quality and affordable health care and has fought for common sense adjustments to the health care law such as allowing all Americans who like their insurance to have the option of keeping it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140727171332/http://bustos.house.gov/press-and-media/press-releases/video-congresswoman-cheri-bustos-thanks-service-members-serving", "Video: Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Thanks Service Members Serving Overseas This Holiday Season", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) gave a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives thanking all of our service members who are serving overseas and are not with their families this holiday season. \u00a0 Bustos\u2019 prepared remarks are below:\nI rise today to thank all of our brave heroes who are serving overseas and are not with their families this holiday season.\nWhile most of us will return to our homes to celebrate with family and friends, let us not forgot about all the men and women serving our country who will not be with their loved ones.\nMy region of Illinois is home to thousands of veterans who have served honorably in both wartime and peacetime.\nIt is also home to many active duty service members, National Guard members and Ready Reservists.\u00a0\nI was heartened to learn recently that the Peoria, Illinois, based Army National Guard unit is expected to come home before the holidays.\u00a0\nThis will surely be an early Christmas present for many families across the region of the country I am here to serve.\nI look forward to helping welcome them home.\nAll our service members deserve our full support year-round, but let us all take this holiday season as an opportunity to thank them once again for all the sacrifices they and their families make for us.\nThey\u2019ve been there for us, so let\u2019s be there for them.\nThank you.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-introduces-legislation-to-ensure-all-foreign-medical-schools-are-held-to-same-standards", "Durbin Introduces Legislation to Ensure All Foreign Medical Schools are Held to Same Standards", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Introduces Legislation to Ensure All Foreign Medical Schools are Held to Same Standards \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Investigation by Bloomberg Markets revealed offshore loophole that for-profit colleges have been exploiting to access additional federal funding\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation that would close a loophole that has given special treatment to a small number of medical schools in the Caribbean that, last year, took in more than $450 million in U.S. Department of Education Title IV funding. Durbin's Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act would require five Caribbean medical schools - four of which are for-profit institutions - to meet the same minimum requirements that every other medical school outside of the U.S. and Canada must meet in order to receive federal funding.\r\n\r\nThe Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act is a simple fix that would apply the following two requirements to all medical schools outside of the U.S. and Canada: at least 60% of the enrollment must be non-U.S. citizen and students must have at least a 75% pass rate on the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam.\r\nCongress has failed taxpayers and students by subsidizing these Caribbean schools with billions in federal dollars for years without adequate accountability and oversight, said Durbin. Despite not meeting these minimum standards, the biggest three for-profit schools impacted by my bill - St. George's, Ross, and American University of the Caribbean - have taken in two-thirds of federal funding that went to foreign medical schools. These schools are just another example of the systemic problem we have with for-profit colleges trying to make a profit off of the federal taxpayers while saddling students with questionable degrees and unreasonable debt loads that follow them for the rest of their lives.\r\n\r\nA September 2013 investigative report in Bloomberg Markets highlighted two foreign medical schools owned by DeVry, Inc.  American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) and Ross University School of Medicine  which admit hundreds of students, many of whom were rejected by U.S. medical colleges. According to the report, students at for-profit medical schools operating outside of the United States and Canada amass more student debt than those at medical schools in the United States. Student debt at AUC averages $253,000 compared to U.S. medical schools where the average debt is $170,000.\r\n\r\nThese foreign medical schools are also much less successful ensuring students progress all the way through the program. The average attrition rate at U.S. medical schools is 3%. At DeVry's two Caribbean medical schools the attrition rate is 20% and 27%. Even if students do finish at these schools, with much more debt, they often have difficulty finding a residency  mandatory for actually practicing medicine in the United States. In 2013, foreign-trained, American graduates had a residency match rate of 53% compared to 94% of graduates of U.S. medical schools.\r\n\r\nThe only thing harder than graduating with four years of medical school debt is not graduating and still having one or two years of medical school debt from these schools, said Durbin. I have a message for those schools down in the sunny Caribbean who may have thought they could continue to exploit taxpayers and students without anybody noticing  Congress is watching.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=581d9c52-556c-42be-8b95-bab90c9aa089", "Durbin Introduces Legislation to Ensure All Foreign Medical Schools are Held to Same Standards", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Introduces Legislation to Ensure All Foreign Medical Schools are Held to Same Standards \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Investigation by Bloomberg Markets revealed offshore loophole that for-profit colleges have been exploiting to access additional federal funding\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation that would close a loophole that has given special treatment to a small number of medical schools in the Caribbean that, last year, took in more than $450 million in U.S. Department of Education Title IV funding.\u00a0 Durbin\u2019s Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act would require five Caribbean medical schools - four of which are for-profit institutions - to meet the same minimum requirements that every other medical school outside of the U.S. and Canada must meet in order to receive federal funding.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act is a simple fix that would apply the following two requirements to all medical schools outside of the U.S. and Canada: at least 60% of the enrollment must be non-U.S. citizen and students must have at least a 75% pass rate on the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam.\u00a0\r\n\u201cCongress has failed taxpayers and students by subsidizing these Caribbean schools with billions in federal dollars for years without adequate accountability and oversight,\u201d said Durbin.\u00a0 \u201cDespite not meeting these minimum standards, the biggest three for-profit schools impacted by my bill - St. George\u2019s, Ross, and American University of the Caribbean - have taken in two-thirds of federal funding that went to foreign medical schools.\u00a0 These schools are just another example of the systemic problem we have with for-profit colleges trying to make a profit off of the federal taxpayers while saddling students with questionable degrees and unreasonable debt loads that follow them for the rest of their lives.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nA September 2013 investigative report in Bloomberg Markets highlighted two foreign medical schools owned by DeVry, Inc. \u2013 American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) and Ross University School of Medicine \u2013 which admit hundreds of students, many of whom were rejected by U.S. medical colleges.\u00a0 According to the report, students at for-profit medical schools operating outside of the United States and Canada amass more student debt than those at medical schools in the United States.\u00a0 Student debt at AUC averages $253,000 compared to U.S. medical schools where the average debt is $170,000.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nThese foreign medical schools are also much less successful ensuring students progress all the way through the program.\u00a0 The average attrition rate at U.S. medical schools is 3%.\u00a0 At DeVry\u2019s two Caribbean medical schools the attrition rate is 20% and 27%.\u00a0 Even if students do finish at these schools, with much more debt, they often have difficulty finding a residency \u2013 mandatory for actually practicing medicine in the United States.\u00a0 In 2013, foreign-trained, American graduates had a residency match rate of 53% compared to 94% of graduates of U.S. medical schools.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe only thing harder than graduating with four years of medical school debt is not graduating and still having one or two years of medical school debt from these schools,\u201d said Durbin.\u00a0 \u201cI have a message for those schools down in the sunny Caribbean who may have thought they could continue to exploit taxpayers and students without anybody noticing \u2013 Congress is watching.\u201d\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/foster-joins-house-democrats-fast-4-families-to-demand-action-on", "Foster Joins House Democrats, Fast 4 Families To Demand Action On Comprehensive Immigration Reform", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bill Foster", "F000454", "foster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) joined House Democrats and members of Fast 4 Families on the steps of the capitol in calling on Congress to take action and pass comprehensive immigration reform.\n\u201cIt is time to act,\u201d said Foster. \u201cHow much longer can Speaker Boehner continue to ignore the outcry of support from the business community, law enforcement, the religious community and people from all walks of life? The time is now to pass comprehensive immigration reform which secures our borders, improves our legal immigration system and provides a path to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants who are currently in limbo.\u201d\nFoster has long been an advocate for comprehensive immigration reform and is a co-sponsor of H.R. 15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act \u2013 a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would strengthen our borders, improve our legal immigration system and provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.\nH.R. 15 has been sponsored by 193 Members of Congress, including three Republicans.\nA study done by the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy showed that immigration reform would increase state and local taxes in Illinois by almost $150 million a year.\nOn the other hand, if all unauthorized immigrants were removed from Illinois, the state would lose $25.6 billion in economic activity, $11.4 billion in gross state product, and approximately 120,000 jobs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/foster-votes-for-bipartisan-budget-agreement", "Foster Votes For Bipartisan Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bill Foster", "F000454", "foster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) voted in favor of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 to fund the government for the next two years.\u00a0\n\u201cI am pleased that Congress was finally able to do its job and pass a bipartisan budget agreement.\u00a0 While this bill isn\u2019t perfect, it reduces the deficit and provides relief from the drastic sequestration cuts that have hurt vital programs in the 11th District of Illinois.\u00a0 The agreement protects Medicare and Social Security benefits, despite efforts by Republicans to drastically reduce these essential programs that millions of seniors in Illinois rely on,\u201d said Foster.\u00a0 \u201cMost importantly, it allows Congress to stop governing from crisis to crisis and focus on the work the people sent us here to do, like tackling the debt, creating jobs, growing our economy, and getting a comprehensive immigration bill signed into law.\u201d\n\u201cWhile I am pleased this agreement passed with strong bipartisan support, I am disappointed that Congress is going home for the year without taking action on many important issues.\u00a0 Congress has failed to pass an extension of unemployment insurance, pulling a critical safety net out from under 1.3 million people on December 28.\u00a0 They failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform, leaving 11 million immigrants in limbo.\u00a0 They failed to pass commonsense legislation to prevent gun violence.\u00a0 And they failed to pass meaningful legislation to support jobs and economic growth,\u201d added Foster.\u00a0 \u201cNow that we have passed a budget, I hope that we can work together to take action on these important issues.\u201d\nThe Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 provides a framework for funding the government for two years.\u00a0 Spending for the current fiscal year is set at $1.012 trillion -- $520.5 billion for defense discretionary spending and $491.8 billion for non-defense discretionary spending.\u00a0\u00a0 The legislation provides $63 billion in sequester relief over the next two years and will reduce the deficit by $23 billion over 10 years.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-calls-on-faa-city-of-chicago-and-airlines-to-address-noise", "Quigley Calls on FAA, City of Chicago and Airlines to Address Noise Concerns Around O'Hare Airport", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) took to the floor of the House of Representatives to highlight the growing concerns from communities surrounding Chicago O'Hare Airport that are experiencing a severe increase in noise pollution and air traffic stemming from the O'Hare Modernization Program.\nI understand and support the need to modernize O'Hare. The new parallel runway configuration means safer, more efficient operations and fewer delays. But I also understand the importance of livable neighborhoods. The two are not mutually exclusive, said Quigley. We are a region of distinctive neighborhoods, where hard-working people have built their lives and invested much of their earnings into their homesI know air traffic noise is a fact of life in our metropolitan area. But it is also a fact that neighborhoodsnot noisy aircraftmake life in Chicago and its suburbs special.  \n\t\nTo read the full transcript and watch video of Rep. Quigley's speech, please click here.\nQuigley highlighted the need for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to overhaul its outdated metric for determining acceptable noise levels and for the city of Chicago to revisit the Fly Quiet program for runway usage at night. He has previously called on the FAA and the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) to further examine ways to mitigate noise pollution.\nO'Hare became a part of Illinois' 5th Congressional District in January of this year. Since then, Rep. Quigley has met continuously with neighborhood organizations and aviation officials to discuss solutions to the noise concerns. Last week he introduced the Silent Skies Act, which will require the FAA to issue regulations by the end of 2015 requiring all commercial airplanes to meet Stage 4 noise standards, which are significantly lower decibel levels than those currently in use.\nRep. Quigley serves on the House Committee on Appropriations, where he has made Chicago-area infrastructure investment a top priority as a member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD).\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-statement-on-bipartisan-budget-act", "Quigley Statement on Bipartisan Budget Act", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement following his vote in support of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013:\nThis bipartisan proposal is by no means perfect. I would have preferred a deal that provides more relief from the self-inflicted wounds of the sequester, which has slowed our economic growth, limited job creation and cut important investments in infrastructure, education and research. The lack of action to extend emergency long-term unemployment benefits is also a tremendous disappointment. But ultimately I recognize the need for compromise, and as an appropriator I am encouraged by the opportunity to finally return Congress to regular order in the budget process.\nRep. Quigley serves on the House Committee on Appropriations, where he has made Chicago-area infrastructure investment a top priority as a member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD). He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301114540/http://bustos.house.gov/press-and-media/press-releases/bustos-supports-bipartisan-plan-to-ease-sequestration-protect-jobs", "Bustos Supports Bipartisan Plan To Ease Sequestration, Protect Jobs & Economy, Avoid Government Shutdown", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement after voting for the bipartisan budget proposal that eases sequestration and avoids another politically induced, unnecessary government shutdown: \u201cAs someone who has long advocated for a bipartisan budget that reduces the deficit in a balanced way while protecting the economy and the middle class, today\u2019s budget resolution is a step in the right direction.\u00a0 Compromises are rarely perfect, and this is no exception, but easing the harmful impact of sequestration on our region was critical.\u00a0 Our economy should also not have to suffer at the hands of another government shutdown and today\u2019s budget will create more certainty for expected funding that impacts jobs in communities across Illinois.\u00a0 I\u2019ll continue to work with both Democrats and Republicans who share my commitment to working together to find common sense solutions to our nation\u2019s problems that place the needs of our constituents ahead of politics.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140727171422/http://bustos.house.gov/press-and-media/press-releases/congresswoman-cheri-bustos-fights-for-troops-military-families-to", "Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Fights For Troops, Military Families & To Address Sexual Assaults In Military", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) fought for our troops, military families and to address the growing sexual assault crisis in the military by supporting the bipartisan FY 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\u00a0 \u201cProviding support for brave service members and their families will always be a top priority for me,\u201d said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.\u00a0 \u201cThe bill I voted for today takes care of those who selflessly serve our country, strengthens the Rock Island Arsenal and Illinois National Guard and takes meaningful steps to address the growing sexual assault crisis in the military.\u201d Specifically, the bill:\n Strengthens the Rock Island Arsenal- provisions protect and secure defense industrial base capacity and security, and strengthen the Procurement Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program.\n\tBetter equips the Illinois National Guard- provisions support modernizing National Guard and Reserve Components by providing additional funding in a National Guard and Reserve Component Equipment Account.\n\tPrevents a BRAC from being conducted in FY2014.\n\tCombats sexual assault in the military.\n\tProvides for quality care and support promised to our troops and their families.\n\tSupports counter-terrorism programs.\n\t\t\u00a0\n Last month, Bustos traveled Illinois\u2019 17th District as part of her \u201cStanding up for our Veterans\u201d tour to meet with local veterans to listen to their priorities and concerns.\u00a0 She also discussed her work to cut down on the growing VA claims backlog, put veterans to work in good-paying jobs, make sure education and job training programs remain affordable and accessible, and put an end to veterans\u2019 homelessness.\u00a0\nDuring her tenure in Congress, Bustos has made our nation\u2019s veterans a top priority and has relentlessly fought to protect the benefits they\u2019ve earned and deserve.\u00a0 In August, Bustos joined with Republican Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08) to introduce a new bipartisan bill that would help put veterans back to work rebuilding our crumbling roads, bridges, tunnels and rail lines.\u00a0 The Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act [H.R. 2906] continues Bustos\u2019 fight on behalf of our veterans by helping to ensure that they play a critical role in rebuilding our nation\u2019s infrastructure by providing them with access to existing contracting preferences authorized for transportation projects.\u00a0 Last week, Bustos spearheaded a new effort to create jobs for our nation\u2019s veterans by introducing the Jobs for Heroes Act.\u00a0 This bill would not only extend, but also expand two expiring federal business tax credits designed to spur veteran employment.\u00a0 If Congress fails to act the federal tax credits will expire at the end of December.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-statement-on-senate-resolution-encouraging-peaceful-resolution-of-crisis-in-ukraine", "Durbin Statement on Senate Resolution Encouraging Peaceful Resolution of Crisis in Ukraine", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Statement on Senate Resolution Encouraging Peaceful Resolution of Crisis in Ukraine \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, D.C.]  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and others this week in introducing a Senate Resolution urging the government of Ukraine and members of the opposition to find a peaceful and democratic resolution to the country's current political crisis.\r\n\r\nThe mounting political impasse in Ukraine is deeply troubling, Durbin said. Ukraine is an important friend and ally of the United States that I believe has a promising future with the West. Such decisions should be made without coercion from other nations and through a peaceful and democratic process. I urge all parties to this current political challenge to refrain from violence, adhere to democratic norms, and strive to focus on long term solutions to the country's economic challenges.\"\r\n\r\nA copy of the Senate's resolution is attached.\r\n\r\nAfter years of negotiations with the European Union over a historic trade and political agreement, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych abruptly suspended his country's preparations for signing the agreement last month, in part under increased pressure from Russia. The decision prompted hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to protest the decision -- some of which were met by violence from state police on Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and Dec. 11.\r\n\r\nLast month, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution Durbin introduced calling for the release of Ukraine's former Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, who has been held on selective charges of abusing her power in a state-sponsored contract since 2011. Numerous human rights groups and governments around the world, as well as the European Court of Human Rights, have called the charges politically motivated and called for Ms. Tymoshenko's release.\r\n\r\nDurbin visited Ukraine last year, meeting separately with both President Yanukovych and former Prime Minister Tymoshenko's daughter to discuss the political situation in the country.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=23e0a470-7143-44b5-bac1-de1925a26c2a", "Durbin Joins Fast in Support of Immigration Reform", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Home \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t 404 \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t \n\t \n\t \n     \tWe\u2019re sorry. The page you requested cannot be found. The address may have been typed incorrectly or the page may have been moved during the recent redesign of our site.\n\t \tThank you.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/foster-urges-congress-to-extend-unemployment-benefits", "Foster Urges Congress To Extend Unemployment Benefits", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bill Foster", "F000454", "foster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) became a cosponsor of H.R. 3546, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2013.\u00a0 The legislation would renew the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program for an additional year.\u00a0 If no action is taken, on December 28th, 1.3 million Americans, including 20,000 military veterans, will immediately lose their unemployment benefits.\u00a0 In 2014, 3.6 million additional people will also lose their unemployment benefits beyond 26 weeks.\u00a0\nIn Illinois, an estimated 230,500 people would lose their unemployment benefits through 2014.\nThe legislation would effectively extend current law through 2014, providing unemployed Americans with a vital lifeline as they continue to recover from the recession.\u00a0\nAn identical bill has been introduced in the Senate.\n\u201cOur economy is still recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression,\u201d said Foster. \u201cNow is not the time to cut off this important lifeline.\u00a0 It is critical that we extend unemployment benefits and prevent 1.3 million Americans still searching for employment from having their safety nets pulled out from under them on December 28th.\u201d\nEven after 45 consecutive months of private-sector job growth, and reaching the lowest unemployment rate in 5 years, we still have work to do to reach pre-crisis employment levels.\u00a0\nAverage weekly unemployment benefits have already been dropped $42 to $256 a week due to sequestration.\u00a0\nNot only does unemployment insurance help those struggling to find employment, it helps our economic recovery by supporting consumer demand.\u00a0 It\u2019s estimated that failing to extend unemployment benefits would cost 240,000 jobs in 2014, including 13,345 jobs in Illinois.\u00a0 Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office and JP Morgan estimate that failure to extend benefits would lower GDP by .2 to .4 percentage points.\nMore information on the economic benefits of extending unemployment insurance is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/blog-posts/constituent-spotlight-al-and-mary-kay-joens", "Constituent Spotlight: Al and Mary Kay Joens", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Robin Kelly", "K000385", "robinkelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Couple brings community\u2019s youth back to baseball \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For eight years, Al and Mary Kay Joens lived quietly in the south suburban community of Park Forest. Then they became involved in youth baseball. Today, they can\u2019t go to the grocery store without running into an army of people they know.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe went from being unknown to everybody knowing who we are,\u201d said Al, whose son A.J. joined Park Forest Baseball at the age of five and continues to play at age 12. \u201cI\u2019ll be a part of baseball till the day I take my last breath. I love the kids.\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mary Kay agrees that the couple\u2019s involvement in baseball was life changing.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s in our blood and we can\u2019t let it go,\u201d she said. \u201cOur life is the baseball field. Where most people take kids to the movies, we take ours to the baseball field. It brings out the kid in you. It\u2019s so enjoyable and we\u2019ve made such great friends. We\u2019ll always be able to look back and have wonderful memories of our time in the league with our son.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Al currently serves as a division director in the Pony Baseball and Softball Association, overseeing more than 700 teams in Wisconsin and Illinois. He even sits on the association\u2019s international board of directors\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Joenses love baseball so much, they even umpire on the side for other associations and leagues. Al umpires both baseball and basketball games throughout the Southland for the Illinois High School Association. Mary Kay umpires for teams within the Greater South Suburban Baseball League, traveling regularly to Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest and Matteson.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Youth baseball has been a tradition in Park Forest since 1951, but during the last decade, the numbers steadily declined. Park Forest Baseball is even the subject of a recent documentary by Mark Kundla, a media producer and adjunct professor of media studies at Governors State University, and vice chairman of Park Forest Baseball.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPark Forest was known for its huge baseball tournaments for many years,\u201d said Mary Kay. \u201cBut now kids have so many choices of activities. But baseball is starting to gain again. We\u2019re making good progress.\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Park Forest Manager Tom Mick credits the couple for bringing the Village\u2019s youth back to baseball.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAl and Mary Kay Joens are stalwart volunteers in the Park Forest youth baseball organization,\u201d Mick said. \u201cThey have been the leaders of this organization for the past several years and have spearheaded a rebirth of youth baseball in our community. Their volunteer time is seemingly endless in spite of baseball season, which is supposed to run from April to July.\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The couple also brings the joy of baseball to children who otherwise would not be exposed to the game.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSunday is dedicated to special needs children,\u201d said Al, an account executive with World Data System. \u201cWe invite the kids to Central Park and teach them the skills of baseball and softball, how to catch and throw, bat and run bases. We have a cookout for them. Then we split up the players and play a game.\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The couple\u2019s dream is to build an indoor baseball training facility for children in the Southland. Its estimated cost of $350,000 doesn\u2019t seem to frighten or discourage them. They\u2019re currently working to raise money and secure a grant.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a big endeavor, but eventually we\u2019ll get there,\u201d Mary Kay said.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To help raise funds, a spaghetti dinner and silent auction are scheduled for May 9, beginning at 5 p.m., at Zion Lutheran Church in Matteson. Some of the impressive prizes include a weekend at Baileys Harbor Yacht Club Resort in Door County, Wisconsin. More information about the fundraiser is at www.parkforestbaseball.org.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Everything the Joenses do seems to go toward the same end: to bring the game of baseball into the lives of young people, in the hope that it will give them as much joy as it has given their family.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re blessed,\u201d said Al. \u201cWe\u2019ll be in baseball for as long as we\u2019re physically able. We\u2019re a baseball family.\u201d\n\u00a0\nAl and Mary Kay Joens with son A.J.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140322011545/http://schneider.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-schneiders-bill-to-strengthen-us-israel-defense-partnership-passes", "Rep. Schneider's Bill to Strengthen U.S.-Israel Defense Partnership Passes U.S. House", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Rep. Doug Collins\u2019s\u00a0(R-GA)\u00a0legislation\u00a0to\u00a0increase military cooperation between the U.S. and Israel\u00a0unanimously\u00a0passed the U.S. House of Representatives today\u00a0by\u00a0a\u00a0vote of 399 to 0.\u00a0\nThe Israel Qualitative Military Edge Enhancement Act\u00a0ensures Israel retains a strategic and tactical\u00a0advantage, including\u00a0the weapons necessary to protect herself from both conventional as well as cyber threats.\n\u201cOur\u00a0strategic partnership with and support of the democratic, Jewish State of Israel is crucial for both countries,\u201dSchneider said. \u201cAs Israel continues to face a broad spectrum of threats,\u00a0including Hizbollah\u00a0in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, increasing extremist presence in Syria and Sinai, and of greatest concern, the threat of\u00a0a nuclear Iran, we must reinforce\u00a0our unbreakable, strategic bond,\u00a0and this bill will help Israel preserve her ability to defend\u00a0herself by herself.\u201d\nBy increasing the frequency\u00a0of the formal\u00a0assessment of Israel's strategic position vis-a-vis existing and emerging threats\u00a0from every four to every two years, the Israel Qualitative Military Edge Enhancement Act will\u00a0better guarantee that\u00a0Israel is always prepared to confront constantly evolving conventional and asymmetrical threats.\nThe specific inclusion of cyber warfare in the assessment reflects the dramatic change in the nature of threats and ensures Israel maintains the qualitative edge against all nature of threats to her security.\nAs a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Schneider is active in advocating for a strong U.S.-Israel partnership and for increasing sanctions against Iran. He coauthored new, broader sanctions against Iran\u00a0and,\u00a0in October,\u00a0led 77 of his colleagues in urging the Obama Administration to authorize additional sanctions on Iran.\nIn May, Schneider and Collins penned an op-ed about the need for the Israel Qualitative Military Edge Enhancement Act. To view a copy, click\u00a0here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140322021439/http://schneider.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-schneider-announces-support-for-bipartisan-budget-deal", "Rep. Schneider Announces Support for Bipartisan Budget Deal", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) announced his support today for Congressman Paul\u00a0Ryan's\u00a0(R-WI) and Senator Patty Murray\u2019s (D-WA) bipartisan budget deal.\n\"I came to Congress to move this country forward,\u00a0and\u00a0the budget deal helps do just that,\"\u00a0Schneider said.\u00a0\"While\u00a0far from perfect, it represents a good faith effort to provide our businesses, families and communities with the stability and certainty that\u2019s been sorely lacking from Washington. The deal isn't\u00a0a solution to our biggest challenges, and it doesn\u2019t extend\u00a0critically\u00a0important unemployment benefits, but it\u00a0does avert\u00a0another irresponsible government shutdown, replace a portion of the harmful sequester cuts and invest in core initiatives like infrastructure and research and development that help our economy grow.\"\u00a0\nThe deal provides a budget for the next two fiscal years, setting overall discretionary spending for the current fiscal year at $1.012 trillion, halfway between the House budget level of $967 billion and the Senate budget level of $1.058 trillion. It provides $63 billion in sequester relief over two years that will be split between defense and non-defense programs and reduces the deficit by between $20 and $23 billion.\nRep. Schneider, a member of the House Small Business Committee, has long called for a sensible budget that gives certainty to our small businesses and has been vocal about his opposition to the harmful sequester cuts. He was also active in calling for an end to the unnecessary government shutdown in October and returned his salary for the duration of the 16-day shutdown.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-amtrak-ridership-in-illinois-is-on-the-rise", "Durbin: Amtrak Ridership in Illinois is on the Rise", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.13\n\t\t\t Durbin: Amtrak Ridership in Illinois is on the Rise  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Durbin meets with Amtrak Board Chairman and Board Member Tom Carper to discuss passenger rail's continued growth\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.]  As Amtrak ridership numbers continue to grow, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with Amtrak Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Coscia and former Mayor of Macomb, Illinois and current member of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Thomas Carper. A photo of today's meeting is available here.\r\n\r\nAmtrak made incredible progress under Chairman Carper's leadership, and we have already seen that trend continue with Chairman Coscia, Durbin said. Congress must also do its part by providing Amtrak with the resources it needs to continue modernizing our transportation system and creating jobs. When we invest in passenger rail, we help generate new economic activity that job-creating businesses across Illinois rely on.\r\n\r\nNationwide, Amtrak routes posted significant ridership increases in fiscal year 2013 hitting a record of 31.4 million passengers. Ridership on Illinois subsidized routes over the last twelve months showed a 2.1% increase over the previous year with a total of nearly 2.6 million passengers.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-announces-more-than-33-million-for-illinois-health-centers-to-expand-healthcare-enrollment-assistance", "Durbin Announces More Than $3.3 Million for Illinois Health Centers to Expand Healthcare Enrollment Assistance", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Announces More Than $3.3 Million for Illinois Health Centers to Expand Healthcare Enrollment Assistance \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Chicago health centers to receive grants totaling nearly $1.5 million\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.]  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $3,358,809 in funding through the Affordable Care Act to hire 132 additional healthcare workers at community health centers throughout Illinois to help individuals and families enroll into affordable health insurance plans. This funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will help these centers expand outreach and enrollment assistance efforts as more Illinoisans are able to access affordable health insurance coverage through the healthcare reform law.\r\n\r\nCommunity health centers serve an important purpose for families in Illinois and across the country, Durbin said. With the help of these federal resources, made available through the Affordable Care Act, Illinois health centers can provide expanded assistance for individuals looking for resources to help them understand their insurance options and enroll into affordable health insurance plans coverage.\r\n\r\nIllinois has 42 health centers with 548 sites that served 1,142,381 patients last year, nearly 30 percent of them uninsured. With their Outreach and Enrollment funding, the health centers listed below expect to hire 132 additional workers, who will assist 195,745 people with enrollment into affordable health insurance coverage.\r\n\r\n Central Illinois \r\n\r\n \r\nChestnut Health Systems (Bloomington, IL): $61,761 in funding;\r\nComm Health Center (Springfield, IL): $71,613 in funding;\r\nSouthern Illinois University (Springfield, IL): $28,675 in funding;\r\nCommunity Health Improvement Center (Decatur, IL): $64,375 in funding;\r\nCass County (Virginia, IL): $29,865 in funding;\r\nHeartland Community Health Clinic (Peoria, IL): $53,168 in funding;\r\nHenderson County Rural Health Center (Oquawka, IL): $35,332 in funding;\r\nKnox County (Galesburg, IL): $27,548 in funding;\r\nMacoupin County (Carlinville): $36,417 in funding;\r\nWhiteside County (Rock Falls, IL): $56,157 in funding;\r\n \r\n\r\n Southern Illinois \r\n  \r\n \r\nChristopher Rural Health Planning Corp (Christopher, IL): $106,634 in funding;\r\nCommunity Health & Emergency SVCS, Inc (Carbondale, IL): $60,637 in funding;\r\nRural Health, Inc (Anna, IL): $41,891 in funding;\r\nShawnee Health Service And Development Corporation (Carterville, IL): $69,422 in funding;\r\nSouthern Illinois Health Care Foundation, Inc (East St. Louis, IL): $170,796 in funding;\r\n \r\n\r\n Northern Illinois \r\n\r\n \r\nCrusaders Central Clinic Association (Rockford, IL): $112,976 \r\n \r\n\r\n Chicagoland \r\n\r\n \r\nAccess Community Health Network (Chicago, IL): $250,000 in funding;\r\nAlivio Medical Center, Inc (Chicago, IL): $90,905 in funding;\r\nAsian Human Services Family Center (Chicago, IL): $58,299 in funding;\r\nAunt Martha's Youth Service Center, Inc (Olympia Fields): $202,898 in funding;\r\nBeloved Community Family Wellness Center (Chicago, IL): $29,165 in funding;\r\nCentro De Salud Esperanza (Chicago, IL): $46,672 in funding;\r\nChicago Family Health Center (Chicago, IL): $89,904 in funding;\r\nCircle Family Care, Inc (Chicago, IL): $45,272 in funding;\r\nCommunity Health Partnership of Illinois (Chicago, IL): $76,212 in funding;\r\nCommunity Nurse Health Association (La Grange, IL): $34,919 in funding;\r\nErie Family Health Center, Inc (Chicago, IL): $122,027 in funding;\r\nFriend Family Health Center, Inc (Chicago, IL): $40,414 in funding;\r\nFamily Christian Health Center (Harvey, IL): $40,533 in funding;\r\nGreater Elgin Family Care Center (Elgin, IL): $122,027 in funding;\r\nHeartland Health Outreach, Inc (Chicago, IL): $79,243 in funding;\r\nHeartland International Health Centers (Chicago, IL): $88,336 in funding;\r\nLake County (Waukegan, IL); $155,109 in funding;\r\nLawndale Christian HealthCenter (Chicago, IL): $143,860 in funding;\r\nNear North Health Service Corporation (Chicago, IL): $156,684 in funding;\r\nPrimecare Community Health, Inc (Chicago, IL): $58,460 in funding;\r\nPCC Community Wellness Center (Oak Park, IL): $82,715 in funding;\r\nRoseland Christian Health Ministries, Inc (Chicago, IL): $44,915 in funding;\r\nTCA Health Inc., NFP (Chicago, IL): $26,526 in funding;\r\nUniversity of Illinois (Chicago, IL): $40,547 in funding;\r\nWill County Health Center (Joliet, IL): $85,536 in funding;\r\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-biofuels-critical-to-achieving-energy-independence-protecting-our-environment-and-supportin-rural-economy", "Durbin: Biofuels Critical to Achieving Energy Independence, Protecting Our Environment, and Supportin Rural Economy", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.13\n\t\t\t Durbin: Biofuels Critical to Achieving Energy Independence, Protecting Our Environment, and Supportin Rural Economy \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senate EPW Committee holds hearing today examining EPA Renewable Fuel Standard Proposal\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.]  Following an oversight hearing today held by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to examine the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reiterated his commitment to working with his Congressional colleagues and Illinois' industry stakeholders to improve the proposal. The biofuels industry is a major job creator, especially in rural areas, and directly supports 5,400 jobs in Illinois alone.\r\n\r\nToday, the Senate Environment and Public Works committee held an oversight hearing on a concerning proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard. If the proposed rule is made final, it would undermine a successful policy tool that supports energy independence, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and stabilizes our rural economy. That is why I am working with like-minded Senators on both sides of the aisle to urge the EPA to reconsider this rule before it is finalized, Durbin said. We have come too far to take this giant step backward. Biofuels are an important part of our energy future and the right path forward for our country.\r\n\r\nIn November, Durbin joined with thirty-one members of the U.S. Senate in sending a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Office of Management and Budget Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell encouraging the agencies not to decrease the RFS. That letter can be accessed here. In late October, Durbin sent a similar letter to Burwell which can be accessed here. \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-urges-transportation-department-to-verify-safety-of-enbridge-pipeline-in-great-lakes", "Durbin Urges Transportation Department To Verify Safety of Enbridge Pipeline in Great Lakes", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Urges Transportation Department To Verify Safety of Enbridge Pipeline in Great Lakes \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, D.C.]  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) today in urging the Department of Transportation to verify the safety of an Enbridge pipeline running through Great Lakes waters. Enbridge recently increased the amount of oil the 60-year old pipeline is carrying.\r\n\r\nIn a letter to the Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the Senators noted that Enbridge Energy Partners' Line 5 pipeline recently began transporting an additional 1.2 million gallons of oil per day. That pipeline, which was built in 1953, passes along environmentally sensitive areas and beneath the Straits of Mackinac, which PHMSA has identified as a high consequence area. If the aging pipeline were to leak or burst, it could have devastating effects on the Great Lakes ecosystem and the entire region's economy.\r\n\r\nThree years ago, Enbridge's Line 6B ruptured near the Kalamazoo River in Marshall, Michigan. Nearly 843,000 gallons of oil spilled into the Kalamazoo River, causing the largest inland oil spill in United States history, the Senators wrote. If the pipeline running beneath the Straits of Mackinac were to leak or burst, it could have devastating effects on the Great Lakes and the entire region's economy. The Great Lakes constitute 95% of the nation's surface fresh water supply and are directly connected to over 1.5 million jobs, with $62 billion in annual wages. \r\n\r\nThe full text of the letter follows:\r\n\r\nDecember 11, 2013\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Cynthia I. Quarterman   Administrator    Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration   U.S. Department of Transportation   East Building, 2nd Floor   1200 New Jersey Ave., SE   Washington, DC 20590\r\n\r\nDear Administrator Quarterman:\r\n\r\n We are writing in regards to PHMSA's recent approval of hydrostatic testing along Enbridge Energy Partners' Line 5 pipeline. As you know, Enbridge increased the amount of oil transported through Line 5 by an additional 50,000 barrels per day, equal to 1.2 million gallons per day.\r\n\r\n This pipeline is 60 years old and runs from Superior, Wisconsin to Sarnia, Ontario. It passes inland along environmentally sensitive areas and beneath the Straits of Mackinac, which PHMSA has identified as a high consequence area. The increase in oil transported adds pressure to the aging pipeline, which has undergone only a few upgrades since it was first installed in 1953. We are concerned that these changes could compromise the integrity of the pipeline. We are particularly concerned with the risks a leak or break in the pipe could pose to the Straits of Mackinac given this area's strong currents, variable water temperatures, and connections to both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.\r\n\r\nThree years ago, Enbridge's Line 6B ruptured near the Kalamazoo River in Marshall, Michigan. Nearly 843,000 gallons of oil spilled into the Kalamazoo River, causing the largest inland oil spill in United States history. This oil spill severely affected local residents, the surrounding environment, and Michigan's economy. In fact, cleanup efforts are still underway.\r\n\r\n If the pipeline running beneath the Straits of Mackinac were to leak or burst, it could have devastating effects on the Great Lakes and the entire region's economy. The Great Lakes constitute 95% of the nation's surface fresh water supply and are directly connected to over 1.5 million jobs, with $62 billion in annual wages. Therefore, we ask that you provide us with answers to the following questions:\r\n\r\n \r\nWe understand that PHMSA requested that Enbridge conduct various tests to ensure that the integrity of the pipeline would not be compromised with an increase in oil pressure.\r\n \r\nPlease provide a list and explanation of all tests that were executed, when and where the testing occurred, and if the tests were performed on the section of pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac.\r\n\r\n \r\nThe Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 requires pipeline operators or owners who own high consequence area pipelines to verify that their records accurately reflect the pipeline's physical and operational characteristics and the pipeline's established Maximum Allowable Operating Pressures (MAOP). Did Enbridge have fully updated MAOP records before it increased the pressure on Line 5? If so, please explain what testing methods Enbridge used to verify the MAOP of Line 5.\r\n \r\n \r\nWhat measures are in place to detect leaks on Line 5? Have remote-controlled shut-off valves or equivalent technology been installed? How quickly does PHMSA estimate that a leak could be stopped and resolved?\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nHas Enbridge provided PHMSA with an updated emergency response plan? If so, how has the plan been updated? Was the Coast Guard involved in updating the plan? Who will have access to this plan? If available, please provide a copy of the updated emergency response plan.\r\n \r\n\r\n Given the serious risks that an oil spill in this area could pose to the Great Lakes and the surrounding communities, we urge you to give prompt attention to this matter. We look forward to your reply. Thank you.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-warren-boxer-reed-introduce-student-loan-borrower-bill-of-rights", "Durbin, Warren, Boxer, Reed Introduce Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.13\n\t\t\t Durbin, Warren, Boxer, Reed Introduce Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation Will Reform Disclosure and Servicing Standards for Both Federal and Private Student Loans\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, DC]  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) was joined by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Jack Reed (D-RI) today in introducing legislation to ensure struggling student loan borrowers are treated fairly and understand the full range of repayment options and resources available to them.\r\n\r\nStudent loan debt has tripled over the last decade, Durbin said. With student loan debt far outpacing the rise in starting salaries, many borrowers find that despite their best efforts, they are unable to make their monthly payments. And when lenders refuse to work with them on a repayment plan, they begin a downward spiral that is difficult to turn around. These borrowers and their families should not have to face the burden of additional costs because they cannot resolve errors quickly or gain access to programs meant to help them. The Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights will ensure that all borrowers will have access to basic rights and protections.\r\n\r\nOur students now face more than $1 trillion in student loan debt, but many young people are asked to pay even more in costs because of unfair treatment by loan servicers. We should be supporting students who have worked hard to get an education, not making it more difficult for them. I'm pleased to join Senators Durbin, Boxer, and Reed to introduce the Student Loan Bill of Rights, which will help make sure student borrowers are treated fairly and have access to the information and resources they need, Warren said.\r\n\r\nStudent borrowers must be treated fairly, Boxer said. The Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights would ensure that students are provided clear and honest information about how much they owe and what their repayment options are.\r\n\r\nIf we're going to make a dent in making college affordable, we have to hold servicers accountable, increase transparency, and ensure students and their families get a fair deal. The Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights will help establish clear, measurable expectations for servicers and ensure borrowers have access to the information they need to make informed decisions about repaying their student loans, said Reed.\r\n\r\nThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has released two reports over the last two years that have revealed that servicing standards are in need of reform to ensure borrowers are informed and can access basic information about their loans. The CFPB's 20103 report is available here and the 2012 report is available here. Though many students hold federal student loans with strong consumer protections, a growing number take out private loans that carry no limits on interest rates and offer few, if any, alternative repayment plans. In some cases, even federal student loan borrowers are unaware of options like income-based repayment and public service loan forgiveness. Payments are sometimes misallocated to loans with lower interest rates, preventing borrowers from paying loans off quickly, and borrowers report significant challenges in resolving errors on their accounts in a timely manner.\r\n\r\nDurbin's bill provides six basic rights for all federal and private student loan borrowers:\r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to have options such as alternative payment plans to avoid default.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to be informed about key terms and conditions of the loan and any repayment options to ensure changing plans won't cost more.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to know your loan's servicer and who to reach out to when there is a problem.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to consistency when it comes to how monthly payments are applied. Lenders and servicers should also honor promotions and promises that are advertised or offered.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to fairness, like grace periods when loans are transferred or debt cancellation when the borrower dies or becomes disabled.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to accountability, including timely resolution of errors and certification of private loans.\r\n \r\n\r\nThe bill places a special focus on servicemember and veteran borrowers by requiring loan servicers to provide each borrower with a liaison specifically trained in the benefits available to military borrowers.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=4980c084-5a56-4a8b-a843-e066f12a7bf6", "Durbin, Warren, Boxer, Reed Introduce Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.13\n\t\t\t Durbin, Warren, Boxer, Reed Introduce Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation Will Reform Disclosure and Servicing Standards for Both Federal and Private Student Loans\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, DC] \u2013 U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) was joined by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Jack Reed (D-RI) today in introducing legislation to ensure struggling student loan borrowers are treated fairly and understand the full range of repayment options and resources available to them.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cStudent loan debt has tripled over the last decade,\u201d Durbin said. \u201cWith student loan debt far outpacing the rise in starting salaries, many borrowers find that despite their best efforts, they are unable to make their monthly payments. And when lenders refuse to work with them on a repayment plan, they begin a downward spiral that is difficult to turn around. These borrowers and their families should not have to face the burden of additional costs because they cannot resolve errors quickly or gain access to programs meant to help them. The Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights will ensure that all borrowers will have access to basic rights and protections.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cOur students now face more than $1 trillion in student loan debt, but many young people are asked to pay even more in costs because of unfair treatment by loan servicers. We should be supporting students who have worked hard to get an education, not making it more difficult for them. I\u2019m pleased to join Senators Durbin, Boxer, and Reed to introduce the Student Loan Bill of Rights, which will help make sure student borrowers are treated fairly and have access to the information and resources they need,\u201d Warren said.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cStudent borrowers must be treated fairly,\u201d Boxer said. \u201cThe Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights would ensure that students are provided clear and honest information about how much they owe and what their repayment options are.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cIf we're going to make a dent in making college affordable, we have to hold servicers accountable, increase transparency, and ensure students and their families get a fair deal.\u00a0 The Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights will help establish clear, measurable expectations for servicers and ensure borrowers have access to the information they need to make informed decisions about repaying their student loans,\u201d said Reed.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has released two reports over the last two years that have revealed that servicing standards are in need of reform to ensure borrowers are informed and can access basic information about their loans. The CFPB\u2019s 20103 report is available here and the 2012 report is available here. Though many students hold federal student loans with strong consumer protections, a growing number take out private loans that carry no limits on interest rates and offer few, if any, alternative repayment plans. In some cases, even federal student loan borrowers are unaware of options like income-based repayment and public service loan forgiveness. Payments are sometimes misallocated to loans with lower interest rates, preventing borrowers from paying loans off quickly, and borrowers report significant challenges in resolving errors on their accounts in a timely manner.\r\n\u00a0\r\nDurbin\u2019s bill provides six basic rights for all federal and private student loan borrowers:\r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to have options such as alternative payment plans to avoid default.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to be informed about key terms and conditions of the loan and any repayment options to ensure changing plans won\u2019t cost more.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to know your loan\u2019s servicer and who to reach out to when there is a problem.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to consistency when it comes to how monthly payments are applied. Lenders and servicers should also honor promotions and promises that are advertised or offered.\u00a0\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to fairness, like grace periods when loans are transferred or debt cancellation when the borrower dies or becomes disabled.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to accountability, including timely resolution of errors and certification of private loans.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\nThe bill places a special focus on servicemember and veteran borrowers by requiring loan servicers to provide each borrower with a liaison specifically trained in the benefits available to military borrowers.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=75d1ed6d-11d8-4a3e-b22c-8f854bb5e5d4", "Durbin: Biofuels Critical to Achieving Energy Independence, Protecting Our Environment, and Supportin Rural Economy", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.13\n\t\t\t Durbin: Biofuels Critical to Achieving Energy Independence, Protecting Our Environment, and Supportin Rural Economy \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senate EPW Committee holds hearing today examining EPA Renewable Fuel Standard Proposal\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.] \u2013 Following an oversight hearing today held by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to examine the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s proposal reduce the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reiterated his commitment to working with his Congressional colleagues and Illinois\u2019 industry stakeholders to improve the proposal. The biofuels industry is a major job creator, especially in rural areas, and directly supports 5,400 jobs in Illinois alone.\r\n\r\n\u201cToday, the Senate Environment and Public Works committee held an oversight hearing on a concerning proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency to waive the Renewable Fuels Standard. If the proposed rule is made final, it would undermine a successful policy tool that supports energy independence, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and stabilizes our rural economy. That is why I am working with like-minded Senators on both sides of the aisle to urge the EPA to reconsider this rule before it is finalized,\u201d Durbin said. \u201cWe have come too far to take this giant step backward. Biofuels are an important part of our energy future and the right path forward for our country.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nIn November, Durbin joined with thirty-one members of the U.S. Senate in sending a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Office of Management and Budget Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell encouraging the agencies not to decrease the RFS.\u00a0 That letter can be accessed here.\u00a0 In late October, Durbin sent a similar letter to Burwell which can be accessed here. \u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=94aeedf6-a8b4-4664-810c-f71dbab0ad9d", "Durbin: Amtrak Ridership in Illinois is on the Rise", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.13\n\t\t\t Durbin: Amtrak Ridership in Illinois is on the Rise  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Durbin meets with Amtrak Board Chairman and Board Member Tom Carper to discuss passenger rail\u2019s continued growth\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.] \u2013 As Amtrak ridership numbers continue to grow, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with Amtrak Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Coscia and former Mayor of Macomb, Illinois and current member of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Thomas Carper. A photo of today\u2019s meeting is available here.\r\n\r\n\u201cAmtrak made incredible progress under Chairman Carper's leadership, and we have already seen that trend continue with Chairman Coscia,\u201d Durbin said. \u201cCongress must also do its part by providing Amtrak with the resources it needs to continue modernizing our transportation system and creating jobs. When we invest in passenger rail, we help generate new economic activity that job-creating businesses across Illinois rely on.\u201d\r\n\r\nNationwide, Amtrak routes posted significant ridership increases in fiscal year 2013 hitting a record of 31.4 million passengers. Ridership on Illinois subsidized routes over the last twelve months showed a 2.1% increase over the previous year with a total of nearly 2.6 million passengers.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=daaf013a-2dac-46b3-9cac-85cecd1de8f4", "Durbin Announces More Than $3.3 Million for Illinois Health Centers to Expand Healthcare Enrollment Assistance", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Announces More Than $3.3 Million for Illinois Health Centers to Expand Healthcare Enrollment Assistance \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Chicago health centers to receive grants totaling nearly $1.5 million\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.] \u2013 U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $3,358,809 in funding through the Affordable Care Act to hire 132 additional healthcare workers at community health centers throughout Illinois to help individuals and families enroll into affordable health insurance plans. This funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will help these centers expand outreach and enrollment assistance efforts as more Illinoisans are able to access affordable health insurance coverage through the healthcare reform law.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cCommunity health centers serve an important purpose for families in Illinois and across the country,\u201d Durbin said. \u201cWith the help of these federal resources, made available through the Affordable Care Act, Illinois health centers can provide expanded assistance for individuals looking for resources to help them understand their insurance options and enroll into affordable health insurance plans coverage.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nIllinois has 42 health centers with 548 sites that served 1,142,381 patients last year, nearly 30 percent of them uninsured. With their Outreach and Enrollment funding, the health centers listed below expect to hire 132 additional workers, who will assist 195,745 people with enrollment into affordable health insurance coverage.\r\n\u00a0\r\n Central Illinois \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nChestnut Health Systems (Bloomington, IL): $61,761 in funding;\r\nComm Health Center (Springfield, IL): $71,613 in funding;\r\nSouthern Illinois University (Springfield, IL): $28,675 in funding;\r\nCommunity Health Improvement Center (Decatur, IL): $64,375 in funding;\r\nCass County (Virginia, IL): $29,865 in funding;\r\nHeartland Community Health Clinic (Peoria, IL): $53,168 in funding;\r\nHenderson County Rural Health Center (Oquawka, IL): $35,332 in funding;\r\nKnox County (Galesburg, IL): $27,548 in funding;\r\nMacoupin County (Carlinville): $36,417 in funding;\r\nWhiteside County (Rock Falls, IL): $56,157 in funding;\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n Southern Illinois \r\n \u00a0 \r\n \r\nChristopher Rural Health Planning Corp (Christopher, IL): $106,634 in funding;\r\nCommunity Health & Emergency SVCS, Inc (Carbondale, IL): $60,637 in funding;\r\nRural Health, Inc (Anna, IL): $41,891 in funding;\r\nShawnee Health Service And Development Corporation (Carterville, IL): $69,422 in funding;\r\nSouthern Illinois Health Care Foundation, Inc (East St. Louis, IL): $170,796 in funding;\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n Northern Illinois \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nCrusaders Central Clinic Association (Rockford, IL): $112,976 \r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n Chicagoland \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nAccess Community Health Network (Chicago, IL): $250,000 in funding;\r\nAlivio Medical Center, Inc (Chicago, IL): $90,905 in funding;\r\nAsian Human Services Family Center (Chicago, IL): $58,299 in funding;\r\nAunt Martha\u2019s Youth Service Center, Inc (Olympia Fields): $202,898 in funding;\r\nBeloved Community Family Wellness Center (Chicago, IL): $29,165 in funding;\r\nCentro De Salud Esperanza (Chicago, IL): $46,672 in funding;\r\nChicago Family Health Center (Chicago, IL): $89,904 in funding;\r\nCircle Family Care, Inc (Chicago, IL): $45,272 in funding;\r\nCommunity Health Partnership of Illinois (Chicago, IL): $76,212 in funding;\r\nCommunity Nurse Health Association\u00a0 (La Grange, IL): $34,919 in funding;\r\nErie Family Health Center, Inc (Chicago, IL): $122,027 in funding;\r\nFriend Family Health Center, Inc (Chicago, IL): $40,414 in funding;\r\nFamily Christian Health Center (Harvey, IL): $40,533 in funding;\r\nGreater Elgin Family Care Center (Elgin, IL): $122,027 in funding;\r\nHeartland Health Outreach, Inc (Chicago, IL): $79,243 in funding;\r\nHeartland International Health Centers (Chicago, IL): $88,336 in funding;\r\nLake County (Waukegan, IL); $155,109 in funding;\r\nLawndale Christian Health\u00a0Center (Chicago, IL): $143,860 in funding;\r\nNear North Health Service Corporation (Chicago, IL): $156,684 in funding;\r\nPrimecare Community Health, Inc (Chicago, IL): $58,460 in funding;\r\nPCC Community Wellness Center (Oak Park, IL): $82,715 in funding;\r\nRoseland Christian Health Ministries, Inc (Chicago, IL): $44,915 in funding;\r\nTCA Health Inc., NFP (Chicago, IL): $26,526 in funding;\r\nUniversity of Illinois (Chicago, IL): $40,547 in funding;\r\nWill County Health Center (Joliet, IL): $85,536 in funding;\r\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://rush.house.gov/event/all-chicago-memorial-service-president-nelson-mandela", "An All Chicago Memorial Service for President Nelson Mandela", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bobby Rush", "R000515", "rush.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013\u2013 Today, U. S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) re-introduced \"The African Investment and Diaspora Act of 2011\" (AIDA), a bill that\u2019s designed to further strengthen the trade relationship between the United States and Africa. \u00a0\"I am re-introducing this important trade legislation as I believe it represents the legislative affirmation of the strong and growing trade relationship between the United States and the nations on the continent of Africa,\" said Rush who serves as the Ranking Member of the Energy and Power Subcommittee as is co-chair of the Africa Partnership for Economic Growth Caucus (APEGc).\u00a0 \"I am proud to re-introduce a piece of legislation that has captured the hearts and minds of thousands of men and women in several African nations, as well as entrepreneurs and business leaders in Africa, in the United States and in other parts of the Diaspora.\u00a0\u00a0 This legislation seeks to further expand the opportunities for mutual trade and investment between our nation and the people of Africa.\u00a0 This day also marks a milestone for me and tens of thousands of people in our country who were part of the anti-apartheid movement in the years leading up to the release of Madiba Nelson Mandela 21 years ago, today, on February 11, 1990.\u00a0 I will work diligently with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move this legislation into law as I strongly believe it is in the best interests of the United States and Africa that our relationship moves from that of charitable dependency to economic inter-dependency.\"Looking on at this important moment in history were Her Excellency Amina Salum Ali, the permanent representative to the African Union in the United States, and South Africa\u2019s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Ebrahim Rasool.\u00a0 In response to today\u2019s bill introduction, Ambassador Ali said, \"The introduction of the African Investment and Diaspora Act of 2011 is historic legislation that I was privileged to see introduced, today, by one of America\u2019s leading civil rights leaders.\u00a0 This bill is an important and timely development for the African Union both in terms of charting a new paradigm for strengthening U.S.-Africa relations in the 21st century and, specifically, helping to harness the Global African Diaspora to work in partnership with the continent.\"In a like manner, Ambassador Rasool said, \"AIDA marks the first step towards unleashing Africa\u2019s vast potential through win-win trade and investment opportunities.\u00a0 This bill mirrors the spirit of the common history and destiny shared between the USA and Africa.\u00a0 We commend Congressman Rush for this critical initiative and look forward to continued collaboration that will lead up to the Global African Diaspora Summit, which will be hosted by South Africa in 2012.\"On the day Rush introduced this legislation in the 111th Congress, he noted that in today\u2019s economy African countries represent promising export destinations for American products because they possess untapped human and natural resources with the added distinction of representing some of the world\u2019s fastest growing economies.\u00a0 At the same time, the African Diaspora constitutes a growing economic force for the U.S economy, including African immigrants who have some of the highest levels of education compared to other immigrant populations.\"Given the level of expertise that\u2019s available throughout the entire African Diaspora, mobilizing even a small fraction of that capacity would spark increased participation and, I believe, spirited competition among the best and brightest entrepreneurs from diverse industries not only for the economic benefits but also the opportunity to be the first to introduce or develop a diverse array of essential or innovative industries to a nation that already has strong ties in place with the people of the United States,\" said Rush. \"These benefits and more, I believe, represent this century\u2019s new frontier for those entrepreneurs who dare to dream and are willing to engage with the people of Africa in mutually beneficial and respectful terms.\" Key provisions of H.R. 656 \"The African Investment and Diaspora Act of 2011\" include the following:\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. should continue to support efforts to foster socio-economic development and economic growth in Africa by:\u2013\u2013pursuing efforts to increase collaboration among United States government departments and agencies in order to more closely integrate and coordinate U.S. programs and policies aimed at promoting trade and investment with Africa; \u2013\u2013fostering United States public-private partnerships and other investments in Africa; and\u2013\u2013supporting and fostering citizen-led efforts to form business, technical, academic and socio-cultural ties with Africans and supporting the efforts of all Americans and groups with interests and ties to Africa. \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Creates a U.S. Special Representative for U.S.-Africa Trade, Development and Diaspora Affairs within the Department of State and recommends that this position serve as the head of an interagency working group whose mission would include convening a permanent, interagency United States-Africa Trade and Development Consultative Action Group.\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Establishes five, regional centers to serve the northeastern, southern, plains, Midwest, western and northwestern regions of the continental United States with headquarters in cities with the highest proportion of African Diaspora residents\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Recommends the creation of a report to Congress on the impact of this act on trade investments and job creation in the United States and Africa and the impact of the role of the African Diaspora in the United States in improving United States-Africa trade relations and economic development progress in Africa.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n                    \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u2013 Her Excellency Amina Salum Ali, the permanent representative to the African Union in the United States, joins U. S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush, center, and His Excellency Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa\u2019s Ambassador to the United States, outside the House chamber a few minutes after Rush introduced H.R. 656, The African Investment and Diaspora Act of 2011.\u00a0 Ali and Rasool are holding commemorative receipts that bear Rush\u2019s signature as a memento to their having witnessed Rush\u2019s re-introduction of this important trade legislation. \n                    ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140920000727/http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=97763100-2ea5-4dee-ae0f-6b6134aa980e", "Protecting the SNAP Program and the Social Safety Net", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "[WASHINGTON, DC] U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate Floor regarding the importance of protecting the social safety net, which includes programs like SNAP.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141101171115/http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=df3a4b3e-21e4-434f-bbe1-d530e3dee037", "Helping Hard-Working Families Make Ends Meet", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "[WASHINGTON, DC] U.S. Senator Dick Durbin spoke on the Senate Floor regarding the need to help hard-working families make ends meet by raising the minimum wage and protecting the social safety net.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140427175057/http://schneider.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-schneider-highlights-on-the-job-training-success", "Rep. Schneider Showcases On-the-Job Training Success", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) visited Lake Bluff-based Duroweld to see firsthand the success of On-the-Job training programs and discuss how legislation he recently introduced will expand these programs so more small businesses can put people back to work. \u00a0\nDuroweld, a full service metal fabricator with nine employees, is currently\u00a0using the On-the-Job\u00a0training program\u00a0to train an employee in advanced welding skills.\u00a0\nLast\u00a0month, Schneider introduced the bipartisan LEARN Act, which expands the On-the-Job Training programs\u00a0that\u00a0have proven to be effective at\u00a0helping\u00a0to train and retrain Americans\u00a0who are looking for work.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141101171122/http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=eaf0fbc0-db1a-4a88-bae8-76799d00e54b", "Paying Tribute to DuQuoin Mayor John Rednour", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today paid tribute on the Senate Floor to former Du Quoin Mayor John Rednour, who died on December 1.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141101171127/http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=01c5aa4f-2dde-4967-bd13-c42c64f28a61", "Honoring Nelson Mandela on the Senate Floor", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "[WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) paid tribute to the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela today on the Senate Floor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-works-to-alleviate-aircraft-noise-pollution-near-chicago", "Quigley Works to Alleviate Aircraft Noise Pollution Near Chicago Airports", "2013-12-06", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "New Silent Skies Act will help mitigate impact of increased O'Hare traffic\nWASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) announced the introduction of the Silent Skies Act (H.R. 3650), legislation to reduce noise pollution and improve the quality of life for those who live near airports. It is part of Rep. Quigley's ongoing efforts to address neighborhood noise concerns over increased air traffic stemming the O'Hare Modernization Project.\nThe Silent Skies Act will require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue regulations by the end of 2015 requiring all commercial airplanes to meet Stage 4 noise standards, which are significantly lower decibel levels than those currently in use.\nChicago's airports are vital economic engines of our community, but they and the airlines must do everything they can to be good neighbors, said Rep. Quigley. Introducing newer and quieter engines into airline fleets will make them less disruptive to families who live nearby and keep our vibrant neighborhoods livable.\nIn 2006, the FAA issued regulations requiring all new commercial aircraft designs to meet Stage 4 noise standards but was silent on whether airlines would need to phase out older, louder airplanes or retrofit them with quieter engines. The Silent Skies Act will require the FAA to issue the new regulations to phase in the quieter engines at a rate of 25% of an airline's fleet every five years, so that all commercial airplanes meet these quieter standards by 2035 at the latest.\nIn addition, the bill encourages research and development of quieter engine technologies through a new grant partnership program. Currently, there is no stream of federal funding dedicated specifically to the development of quieter engines.\nChicago O'Hare Airport became a part of Illinois' 5th Congressional District in January of this year. Since then, Rep. Quigley has met continuously with neighborhood organizations and aviation officials to discuss solutions to the airport's increasing noise pollution. He recently called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) to further examine ways to mitigate noise pollution resulting from the new runways that opened in October as part of the O'Hare Modernization Program.\nRep. Quigley serves on the House Committee on Appropriations, where hehas made Chicago-area infrastructure investment a top priority as a member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD).\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301060431/http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/photos?ContentRecord_id=e88f6ee5-2d72-41e8-8100-18cfb352b1df", "School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act", "2013-12-06", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Main Menu\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbout Dick Durbin\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIllinois Info Center\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConstituent Services\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIssues and Legislation\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLegislative Agenda\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Office\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMultimedia Archives\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIllinois Investments\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn Your Community\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tToday in the Senate\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tContact Dick Durbin\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n    \tOffice Locations\n\t\t \n    \t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.711 Hart Senate Bldg.\n    \t\tWashington, DC 20510\n    \t\t9 am to 6 pm ET\n    \t\t(202) 224-2152 - phone\n    \t\t(202) 228-0400 - fax\n    \t\tCHICAGO\n    \t\t230 S Dearborn St.\n    \t\tSuite 3892\n    \t\tChicago, IL 60604\n    \t\t8:30 am to 5 pm\n    \t\t(312) 353-4952 - phone\n    \t\t(312) 353-0150 - fax\n    \t\tSPRINGFIELD\n    \t\t525 South 8th St.\n    \t\tSpringfield, IL 62703\n    \t\t8:30 am to 5 pm\n    \t\t(217) 492-4062 - phone\n    \t\t(217) 492-4382 - fax\n\t\n    \t\tCARBONDALE\n    \t\t250 W. Cherry Street\n    \t\tSuite 115-D\n    \t\tCarbondale, IL 62901\n    \t\t8:30 am to 5 pm\n    \t\t(618) 351-1122 - phone\n    \t\t(618) 351-1124 - fax\n    \t\n\t\n    \t\tROCK ISLAND\n    \t\t1504 Third Avenue\n    \t\tSuite 227\n    \t\tRock Island, IL 61201\n    \t\t8:30 am to 4:30 pm\n    \t\t(309) 786-5173 - phone\n(309) 786-5404 - fax", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-discusses-new-law-protecting-school-children-with-allergies", "Durbin Discusses New Law Protecting School Children with Allergies", "2013-12-06", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.06.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Discusses New Law Protecting School Children with Allergies \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator's Legislation Expands Access to Emergency Epinephrine Auto-Injectors in Schools\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS] Students with severe allergies will be safer at school following the enactment of legislation encouraging states across the nation to improve school access to epinephrine auto-injectors, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today. The drug is used if students have life threatening anaphylactic reactions, which have become increasingly common. The School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act, which Durbin introduced along with U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), was approved by the Senate in October and was signed by President Obama four weeks ago.\r\n\r\nFor about 1 in every 13 American children, school lunchtime or a classmate's birthday party can risk exposure to foods that can cause a severe and life threatening reaction. Many children don't even know they have severe allergies until their first reaction, which can be severe and take place at school as easily as at home, said Durbin. This danger is avoidable. Congress voted to help ensure that schools across the country are prepared to help avoid such tragedies. I thank Senator Kirk for being my partner in this effort to ensure that we are taking every appropriate step to protect kids in their schools.\r\n\r\nSeven years ago, I met the Bunning family of Lake Forest - parents who have two children with severe food allergies, Kirk said. After our meeting, I made it my mission to pass legislation that would help the millions of kids across the US who have severe food allergies. The Senate's passage of our bill means that we are a step closer to easing the minds of parents who send their kids with allergies to school and encouraging safe administration of epinephrine. I am proud to work with Senator Durbin to pass this life-saving legislation, and I look forward to it being signed into law.\r\n\r\nNearly six million children in the U.S. have food allergies  roughly two in every classroom  and this bill encourages greater safety in our schools, said John L. Lehr, chief executive officer of Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), which worked toward passage of the bill. We thank Sen. Durbin and Sen. Kirk for their steadfast support of this legislation and for recognizing the need to better protect students with food allergies.\r\n\r\nThe law builds on an Illinois law passed in 2011 which allows school nurses to administer epinephrine to any student suffering from a severe allergic reaction. Durbin and Kirk's legislation allows all trained and authorized school personnel  not just school nurses  to administer the epinephrine and rewards states that require schools to maintain a supply of epinephrine. Most schools, particularly those in rural or low to middle income areas, do not retain full time nurses, sometimes sharing a single nurse across an entire school district.\r\n\r\nAlthough students with severe allergies are already allowed to self-administer epinephrine if they have a serious allergic reaction, a quarter of anaphylaxis cases at schools involve young people with no previous allergy who are unlikely to carry a personal epinephrine auto-injector. In 2001, a study found that 28 percent of school-aged children who died due to an allergic reaction, died at school where epinephrine was either not administered or was administered too late.\r\n\r\nDurbin's law rewards states that require schools to maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors and train authorized school personnel to administer an epinephrine injection if a student experiences an anaphylactic reaction. It also contains a provision that requires those states to have adequate civil liability laws in place to protect authorized school employees who administer an epinephrine auto-injector to any student believed to be experiencing anaphylaxis. These states will be granted preference for asthma-related grants administered by the Department of Health and Human Services.\r\n\r\nThe School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act is supported by the Food Allergy Research and Education, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the American Academy of Emergency Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/il-ia-members-of-congress-urge-committee-to-protect-provisions-promoting-public-private-partnerships-for-water-infrastructure", "IL-IA Members of Congress Urge Committee to Protect Provisions Promoting Public-Private Partnerships for Water Infrastructure", "2013-12-06", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.06.13\n\t\t\t IL-IA Members of Congress Urge Committee to Protect Provisions Promoting Public-Private Partnerships for Water Infrastructure \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Program Could Benefit Modernization of Locks and Dams on Mississippi and Illinois Rivers\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [WASHINGTON, D.C.]  U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today joined U.S. Representatives Bill Enyart (D-IL), John Shimkus (R-IL), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Bruce Braley (D-IA) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA) today called for members of a House-Senate Conference Committee to protect provisions based on the Water Infrastructure Now Public-Private Partnership Act which would improve the nation's water infrastructure through public-private partnerships and help expedite projects  including lock and dam modernization along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers  while saving taxpayers money.\r\n\r\nThe Conference Committee - which includes U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL) who both support the provisions - is tasked with working out the differences between the Senate passed Water Resources Development Act of 2013 and the House passed Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013.\r\n\r\nThe locks and dams on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers were built in the 1930s. Industry has outgrown them and their structural integrity is rapidly deteriorating. With every passing day, the risk increases of a catastrophic failure that would choke the vital economic activity on the rivers. Under current project financing and delivery models, these improvements won't be finished until 2090, wrote the Illinois members. [The programs based on our legislation] could help reduce the estimated $60 billion Corps project backlog and greatly benefit nationally significant projects like the lock and dam modernization on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, authorized as part of the Navigation and Sustainability Program (NESP).\r\n\r\nIn March 2013, Durbin, Kirk, Bustos and Davis introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Water Infrastructure Now Public-Private Partnership Act - later cosponsored by Enyart, Shimkus, Quigley, Braley and Loebsack - which would create a pilot program to explore agreements between the Army Corps of Engineers and private entities as alternatives to traditional financing, planning, design, and construction models. The pilot program would authorize a pilot program for 5 years that would identify up to 15 previously authorized navigation, flood damage reduction, and hurricane and storm damage reduction projects for participation.\r\n\r\nFor the projects that are chosen for participation, the Army Corps of Engineers and private entities would enter into innovative new agreements to decentralize the planning, design, and construction processes in an effort to speed up project delivery while maintaining safety. Additionally, these agreements could bring more private investment in water infrastructure projects.\r\n\r\nText of today's letter is below:\r\n\r\nDear Chairmen Boxer and Shuster and Ranking Members Vitter and Rahall: \r\n\r\nWe write as supporters of the Water Infrastructure Now Public Private Partnership Act (S. 566 and H.R. 1153), which would create a pilot program to decentralize the design, rehabilitation, and construction of major water infrastructure projects and open the door to greater private investment. Similar programs were included in both the Senate (Section 2025) and House (Section 117) versions of the Water Resources Development Act.\r\n\r\nPrograms like Sections 2025 and 117 could help reduce the estimated $60 billion Corps project backlog and greatly benefit nationally significant projects like the lock and dam modernization on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, authorized as part of the Navigation and Sustainability Program (NESP). The locks and dams on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers were built in the 1930s. Industry has outgrown them and their structural integrity is rapidly deteriorating. With every passing day, the risk increases of a catastrophic failure that would choke the vital economic activity on the rivers. Under current project financing and delivery models, these improvements won't be finished until 2090.\r\n\r\nThere is great interest up and down the Mississippi from shippers, agricultural interests, the mining sector and others in programs included in Sections 2025 and 117. It is important to include the following priorities as the two versions of the program are reconciled:\r\n\r\n \r\nMaintaining eligibility for inland navigation projects;\r\nMaintaining eligibility for projects that have not received federal appropriations;\r\nAllowing an authorized major rehabilitation project to qualify in addition to an authorized construction project;\r\nMaintaining as much flexibility as possible for the non-federal entity to finance both the non-federal and federal portions of the project; and\r\nEnsuring that design of the project falls under the program as well as construction\r\n \r\n\r\nAs the sponsors of H.R. 1153 and members of the Conference Committee  Representatives Cheri Bustos and Rodney Davis  have also advocated, we ask that you take these issues into consideration in the final conference report. Thank you.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/foster-votes-to-protect-inventors-and-prevent-patent-abuses", "Foster Votes To Protect Inventors and Prevent Patent Abuses", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bill Foster", "F000454", "foster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) released the following statement on today\u2019s votes on patent abuses:\n\u201cToday I voted against patent abuse and to protect the rights of small business and inventors.\u00a0 Abusive patents have been an increasing problem, placing an unsustainable burden on job creators and innovators.\n\u201cTo prevent this abuse I voted in favor of the Conyers/Watt Deceptive Patent Practices Reduction Act that would create transparency in patent ownership, preventing troll like entities from being able to hide behind shell companies anonymously.\u00a0 It would also protect the victims of infringement suits and direct the Patent and Trade Office to prepare reports and educational materials on patent infringement abuses.\n\u201cI voted against H.R. 3309, the so-called \u2018Innovation Act\u2019 because it is so broad it harms new inventors and hampers innovation.\u00a0 The measure includes an overly onerous fee shifting mechanism that I believe will hurt small inventors.\u00a0 As a \u2018garage inventor\u2019 myself, who turned an invention into a multi-million dollar company, I know firsthand how important patent rights are to small businesses and inventors.\u00a0 As a nation, we want to encourage small startups, not block their growth.\u201d\n\u201cI am hopeful that the fee shifting provision as written will be taken out of the final bill after conference with the Senate and we will have another chance to consider this issue.\u201d\nMore information on the Conyers/Watt Deceptive Patent Practices Reduction Act, a substitute to H.R. 3309 is available here.\nFoster was joined by fellow physicist Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) and inventors and patent holders Rep. Tom Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) in voting against H.R. 3309.\nFoster is a scientist and businessman who started his own business at age 19.\u00a0 The company Foster co-founded with his brother, Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc., now manufactures over half of the theater lighting equipment in the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://gutierrez.house.gov/press-release/guti%C3%A9rrez-joins-letter-obama-calling-pause-deportations", "GUTI\u00c9RREZ JOINS LETTER TO PRESIDENT CALLING FOR PAUSE IN DEPORTATIONS", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Luis Guti\u00e9rrez", "G000535", "gutierrez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\"If your child has received DACA, you should not be deported.\u00a0 If you qualify for legalization under the Senate bill -- a bill the President and the rest of the country supports -- you should not be deported.\" - Rep. Guti\u00e9rrez \nWashington, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Luis V. Guti\u00e9rrez (D-IL) joined Rep. Ra\u00fal Grijalva (D-AZ) and other Members of Congress (Reps. Schakowsky, Rangel, Holt, Titus, Doggett) in releasing a letter from Members of Congress to the President asking him to use his executive power under current law to dial back certain deportations.\u00a0 The letter, signed by 29 Members, says: \"Our efforts in Congress will only be helped by the sensible and moral step of stopping deportations.\" (Full text here).\nRep. Guti\u00e9rrez said, \"Let us make sure the right hand of the Obama administration that is working with Republicans and Democrats to pass immigration reform is in sync with the left hand of the Obama Administration that is deporting people at record levels.\"\nRep. Guti\u00e9rrez specifically called for a cessation on deportations for the parents of young people who have received DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and those who would be eligible for legal status under the terms of the Senate bipartisan immigration bill (S. 744) passed in June of this year.\u00a0 The Senate bill has been endorsed by the President.\nRep. Guti\u00e9rrez is the Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a Member of the Judiciary Committee and the Immigration Subcommittee.\u00a0 The following is the text of the Congressman's remarks (as prepared for delivery):\n\u00a0\nPress Conference Remarks\nDecember 5, 2013\nI want to thank Ra\u00fal Grijalva for organizing this press conference and for correctly saying that we need to put more pressure on the White House to dial back the deportations.\u00a0 Thank you.\nAnd I have already heard from reporters: 'Hey, Guti\u00e9rrez, does this mean immigration reform in Congress is dead?'\u00a0 My answer is 'No.'\u00a0 We must fight for immigration reform and fight to stop the deportation of those we want to legalize at the same time, which is what I have been doing for the past five years.\u00a0\nIn March of 2009, I began seeking some form of administrative relief to scale back the deportations.\u00a0 At the same time I was pushing Congressional Leadership and the President to make immigration reform the top priority.\nIn early 2011, after we passed the DREAM Act in the House and after the DREAM Act was filibustered in the Senate, despite a majority vote, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus joined me in calling on President Obama to use his vast administrative powers to prioritize deportations of criminals and leave hardworking families and individuals alone.\u00a0 I was arrested twice in front of the White House while making that point.\nIn 2011 and again in 2012 and again in 2013, the President took important steps to prioritize the deportation of criminals, using deportations to advance the national interest, and setting the deportation of certain immigrants aside, especially the DREAMers and military families.\nDoes he have the legal authority to do this?\u00a0 There is really no debate.\u00a0 Every significant legal expert -- including the former Republican Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee who is a staunch opponent of legal and illegal immigration -- agrees that under current law the President can suspend deportations for certain individuals.\nNo less than Robert Morgenthau, the respected former Manhattan District Attorney and legal expert, agrees.\u00a0 In today's New York Times he has a letter to the editor that says,\n\"President Obama seriously understates his ability to mitigate the effect of immigration law while he confronts Republican intransigence in the House.\"\nHe goes on to say:\n\"The best way to challenge 'know nothings' on immigration policy is to 'do something.' The president should use his discretion, carry out a principled immigration policy and let the House Republicans come to him begging for compromise.\"\nAnd we are pleading with President Obama to take this advice.\u00a0\nIf your child has received DACA, you should not be deported.\u00a0 If you qualify for legalization under the Senate bill -- a bill the President and the rest of the country supports -- you should not be deported.\nThe U.S. is shooting ourselves in the foot at great cost, ripping apart American families, putting our foster care system under stress, and disqualifying the very people we are working to qualify for earning legal status.\u00a0 Once we deport someone, it is very, very hard to get them back.\nSo let us make sure the right hand of the Obama administration that is working with Republicans and Democrats to pass immigration reform is in sync with the left hand of the Obama Administration that is deporting people at record levels.\n\u00a0\n# # #\n\u00a0\nLetter to President Obama", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-statement-on-the-passing-of-nelson-mandela", "Quigley Statement on the Passing of Nelson Mandela", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement on the death of civil rights leader and former South African President Nelson Mandela:\nThe world has lost an icon for justice with the passing of Nelson Mandela, whose long walk to freedom leaves behind an even longer legacy of tolerance, equality and perseverance. Mr. Mandela's wisdom has influenced many in the Chicago area, including myself, and will continue to inspire a more loving and optimistic future for people around the world.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140223230607/http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/photos?ContentRecord_id=ad5181e6-f597-4a0f-a42f-94c61c9c1cad", "Macomb Transit Center", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Main Menu\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbout Dick Durbin\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIllinois Info Center\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConstituent Services\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIssues and Legislation\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLegislative Agenda\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Office\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMultimedia Archives\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIllinois Investments\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn Your Community\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tToday in the Senate\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tContact Dick Durbin\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n    \tOffice Locations\n\t\t \n    \t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.711 Hart Senate Bldg.\n    \t\tWashington, DC 20510\n    \t\t9 am to 6 pm ET\n    \t\t(202) 224-2152 - phone\n    \t\t(202) 228-0400 - fax\n    \t\tCHICAGO\n    \t\t230 S Dearborn St.\n    \t\tSuite 3892\n    \t\tChicago, IL 60604\n    \t\t8:30 am to 5 pm\n    \t\t(312) 353-4952 - phone\n    \t\t(312) 353-0150 - fax\n    \t\tSPRINGFIELD\n    \t\t525 South 8th St.\n    \t\tSpringfield, IL 62703\n    \t\t8:30 am to 5 pm\n    \t\t(217) 492-4062 - phone\n    \t\t(217) 492-4382 - fax\n\t\n    \t\tCARBONDALE\n    \t\t250 W. Cherry Street\n    \t\tSuite 115-D\n    \t\tCarbondale, IL 62901\n    \t\t8:30 am to 5 pm\n    \t\t(618) 351-1122 - phone\n    \t\t(618) 351-1124 - fax\n    \t\n\t\n    \t\tROCK ISLAND\n    \t\t1504 Third Avenue\n    \t\tSuite 227\n    \t\tRock Island, IL 61201\n    \t\t8:30 am to 4:30 pm\n    \t\t(309) 786-5173 - phone\n(309) 786-5404 - fax", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140727171507/http://bustos.house.gov/press-and-media/press-releases/video-congresswoman-cheri-bustos-gives-floor-speech-on-new-effort-to", "Video: Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Gives Floor Speech On New Effort To Put Our Veterans Back To Work", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) gave a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives introducing the Jobs for Heroes Act, a new effort Bustos is leading to put our veterans back to work by renewing and expanding two tax credits for businesses that prioritize hiring veterans and are set to expire at the end December if Congress doesn\u2019t act.\u00a0 More info on the Jobs for Heroes Act can be found HERE. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bustos\u2019 prepared remarks are below:\nI rise to talk about a piece of legislation I will be introducing today that would help put our brave veterans back to work in good-paying jobs in communities across our country.\nIt is called the Jobs for Heroes Act.\nGood for vets. Good for the economy.\nIt would extend and expand two tax credits for businesses that prioritize hiring veterans.\nBoth of these tax credits are set to expire at the end of the month without Congressional action. The time to act is now.\nLast month, I traveled to all corners of my district to meet with local veterans to listen to their priorities and concerns.\u00a0\nAlong with cutting down on the shamefully long VA claims backlog, making sure veterans have access to good-paying jobs came up everywhere I went.\nLegislation to help prioritize the hiring of veterans is especially crucial due to the high unemployment rate among young veterans.\u00a0\nVeterans between the ages of 18 and 24 have an unemployment rate of more than 20%, which is 5% higher than non-veterans of the same age range. \u00a0Shameful!\nI hope all members of Congress will join me in supporting my common sense bill to help put veterans back to work and to making sure those who serve always remain a priority.\nThank you.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140919190025/http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/videos?ContentRecord_id=bf368614-05db-4d1a-97ee-4cdf03d6b378", "Community Colleges Career Training Bill", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited Carl Sandburg Community College in Galesburg to discuss his legislation to enhance workforce training by incentivizing partnerships between community colleges and local businesses on Thursday, December 5. Durbin toured Sandburg's medical imaging and diesel labs, where students complete a curriculum developed in partnership with local businesses like the Galesburg VA Clinic and the BNSF Railroad.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-asks-metra-to-clarify-position-on-new-safety-system", "Durbin Asks Metra to Clarify Position on New Safety System", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.05.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Asks Metra to Clarify Position on New Safety System \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Metra Board of Directors to clarify their position on implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) - a communications-based system designed to prevent certain types of train accidents caused by human factors - and report back to the Illinois Congressional Delegation with recommendations.\r\n\r\nMeeting the federal deadline of implementing PTC will be challenging. The Federal Railroad Administration has offered suggestions to Congress on ways to continue making progress on PTC implementation without unconditional multi-year extensions of the current deadline. I have also worked diligently to make sure federal grant and financing opportunities, such as TIGER grants and Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement loans, can be used for PTC implementation, wrote Durbin.\r\n\r\nI believe commuters, workers and the Illinois congressional delegation can benefit from the Board clarifying Metra's position on PTC. The former Executive Director was firmly committed to meeting the federal deadline for PTC implementation. However, Metra has since made public statements supporting a multiple year extension of the deadline without conditions. The recent crash in New York is an opportunity for the new leadership at Metra to reconsider its position on PTC.\r\n\r\nFollowing a 2008 fatal train crash in California, Congress mandated - as part of the Amtrak and Rail Safety bill - that Amtrak, commuter rail carriers and Class I railroads must install PTC systems on tracks that carry passengers or toxic-by-inhalation materials by January 1, 2016.\r\n\r\nCalls for PTC have been renewed in the wake of last week's New York Metro North crash that was likely due to the driver missing several speed and signal warnings and hitting a sharp turn at excessive speed. According to investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board, PTC may have helped avoid this crash by automatically slowing the train down in that situation.\r\n\r\nText of today's letter is below:\r\n\r\nDecember 5, 2013\r\n\r\nJohn E. Partelow\r\nActing Chairman\r\nMetra Board of Directors\r\n547 W. Jackson Blvd.\r\nChicago, IL 60661\r\n\r\nDear Acting Chairman Partelow and Metra Board Directors:\r\n\r\nI write to ask Metra to clarify its position on implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) by January 1, 2016. Congress mandated this safety technology be installed on rail lines with heavy passenger and hazardous material traffic by then, although some in the industry are now asking Congress to delay that implementation deadline.\r\n\r\nPTC would have prevented two derailments that occurred on Metra trains in 2003 and 2005. These two crashes resulted in two fatalities, almost 200 injuries and millions in legal costs to Metra. Several safety experts have also said last week's fatal rail accident in New York could have been avoided if PTC were fully installed along those tracks.\r\n\r\nMetra is moving beyond the serious management and financial challenges of the last few years. The Board now has newly appointed leadership, with more than half of the current Directors being named since the last Chairman resigned. The new Board has been busy revisiting past Metra practices and policies, and I believe commuters, workers and the Illinois congressional delegation can benefit from the Board clarifying Metra's position on PTC.\r\n\r\nThe former Executive Director was firmly committed to meeting the federal deadline for PTC implementation. However, Metra has since made public statements supporting a multiple year extension of the deadline without conditions. The recent crash in New York is an opportunity for the new leadership at Metra to reconsider its position on PTC.\r\n\r\nMeeting the federal deadline of implementing PTC will be challenging. The Federal Railroad Administration has offered suggestions to Congress on ways to continue making progress on PTC implementation without unconditional multi-year extensions of the current deadline. I have also worked diligently to make sure federal grant and financing opportunities, such as TIGER grants and Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement loans, can be used for PTC implementation. More can be done to assist commuter railroads to implement PTC, and I stand ready to work with you to make sure more opportunities and resources are available to achieve the highest level of safety for Metra commuters and workers.\r\n\r\nThe Metra Board is scheduled to meet again on Friday, December 13, 2013. I encourage you to take this opportunity to discuss your position on PTC implementation and report back to the Illinois Delegation with your recommendations for the future of PTC on Metra.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\nRichard J. Durbin\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-visits-carl-sandburg-community-college-to-discuss-closing-skills-gap", "Durbin Visits Carl Sandburg Community College to Discuss Closing \"Skills Gap\"", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.05.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Visits Carl Sandburg Community College to Discuss Closing \"Skills Gap\" \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Discusses Bill To Increase Technical Training, Business Partnerships at Community Colleges\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [GALESBURG, IL]  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited Carl Sandburg Community College (CSCC) today to discuss legislation he introduced to help community colleges train workers for high-needs technical jobs, many of which are currently going unfilled due to a lack of qualified employees in the workforce. Durbin toured labs and met with students in CSCC's medical imaging, electrical, and diesel programs. He also talked with representatives from the BNSF Railroad, which has partnered with CSCC in its job training efforts. The college developed many of its programs after surveying local employers about the skills they feel employees most need, helping to close the skills-to-jobs mismatch that is often referred to as the nation's skills gap.\r\n\r\nWhen I travel around the state I often hear how many good jobs in growing fields like healthcare and engineering are going unfilled because employers cannot find workers with the right technical expertise, Durbin said. CSCC is working to bridge that gap by giving its students the skills they need to find work. As the largest and most affordable sector of the nation's higher education system, community colleges are uniquely positioned to educate America's next generation of workers. That's why I've introduced legislation giving community colleges the support they need to expand their good work and ensure that working families have the skills and information to succeed in the jobs of today and tomorrow.\r\n\r\nDurbin's legislation, which he and U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) introduced in July, will help create partnerships between two-year colleges and businesses to train two million Americans for jobs in high-demand industries such as health care, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and information technology. The Community College to Career Fund Act authorizes $8 billion to create a competitive grant program to fund those partnerships, focusing on job-training efforts like registered apprenticeships, on-the-job training opportunities and paid internships for low-income students that simultaneously grant credits for work-based learning.\r\n\r\nThe bill contains incentives for these programs to help students find employment, setting aside additional money for programs with high job placement rates. It also makes grants available to states, so that they may work with businesses having trouble filling vacant positions, and to entrepreneurs seeking to start their own business.\r\n\r\nOur nation's economy is evolving at a rapid rate and in order to close the nation's skills gap our educational system needs to be as dynamic as our economy, Durbin said. This bill is a critical investment in our future. It will give workers a cost-effective opportunity to acquire skills necessary for a 21st century workforce and provide businesses with a pipeline of talent.\"\r\n\r\nThe National Association of Manufacturers estimates that as many as 600,000 current job openings stem from the skills gap.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-visits-macomb-transit-facility", "Durbin Visits Macomb Transit Facility", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.05.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Visits Macomb Transit Facility \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Secured $5.6 Million in Federal Funding in Support of the Facility's Construction\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [MACOMB, IL]  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited the Macomb Transit Facility today to see firsthand how the new facility is functioning as a central hub for mass transit service in McDonough County. The facility was built from repurposed factory space with the help of a $12.8 million federal investment, including $5.6 million in earmarks secured by Durbin beginning in 2002.\r\n\r\nThe Macomb Transit Facility is an example of the value of federal investment in transportation projects, Durbin said. Since the facility opened this spring, it has provided a central maintenance center for buses and vans and a training hub for their drivers, ensuring quality service for the hardworking families, seniors and students who depend on these vehicles to get around. The transit facility was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.\r\n\r\nThe facility houses the administrative offices, dispatch centers, driver training, bus and van storage, fueling station, a vehicle wash building and vehicle maintenance center for the McDonough County Public Transportation Program (MCPT), which includes Western Illinois University's Go West transit system. Vehicle maintenance for Hancock County Public Transportation is also performed at the facility.\r\n\r\nBuilding the facility involved the renovation of a former manufacturing facility on East Pierce Street in Macomb. A portion of the building was demolished and the remaining 80,000 square feet was renovated, incorporating \"green\" technology into the project including solar tracking skylights, high efficiency heating and cooling, reflective roof materials and well-insulated walls and ceilings. Of the project's total $14.9 million cost, $12.8 million was provided by the federal government, $2 million by the state and $57,000 by the local government.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=0a02b8ac-bb94-4ddf-8d70-9463aaf2f2d7", "Durbin Visits Macomb Transit Facility", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.05.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Visits Macomb Transit Facility \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Secured $5.6 Million in Federal Funding in Support of the Facility's Construction\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [MACOMB, IL] \u2013 U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited the Macomb Transit Facility today to see firsthand how the new facility is functioning as a central hub for mass transit service in McDonough County.\u00a0 The facility was built from repurposed factory space with the help of a $12.8 million federal investment, including $5.6 million in earmarks secured by Durbin beginning in 2002.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe Macomb Transit Facility is an example of the value of federal investment in transportation projects,\u201d Durbin said.\u00a0 \u201cSince the facility opened this spring, it has provided a central maintenance center for buses and vans and a training hub for their drivers, ensuring quality service for the hardworking families, seniors and students who depend on these vehicles to get around.\u00a0 The transit facility was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe facility houses the administrative offices, dispatch centers, driver training, bus and van storage, fueling station, a vehicle wash building and vehicle maintenance center for the McDonough County Public Transportation Program (MCPT), which includes Western Illinois University's Go West transit system. Vehicle maintenance for Hancock County Public Transportation is also performed at the facility.\r\n\u00a0\r\nBuilding the facility involved the renovation of a former manufacturing facility on East Pierce Street in Macomb. A portion of the building was demolished and the remaining 80,000 square feet was renovated, incorporating \"green\" technology into the project including solar tracking skylights, high efficiency heating and cooling, reflective roof materials and well-insulated walls and ceilings.\u00a0 Of the project\u2019s total $14.9 million cost, $12.8 million was provided by the federal government, $2 million by the state and $57,000 by the local government.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=a09802e4-5790-4f6e-9b55-e92ef2d67316", "Durbin Asks Metra to Clarify Position on New Safety System", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.05.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Asks Metra to Clarify Position on New Safety System \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Metra Board of Directors to clarify their position on implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) - a communications-based system designed to prevent certain types of train accidents caused by human factors - and report back to the Illinois Congressional Delegation with recommendations.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cMeeting the federal deadline of implementing PTC will be challenging.\u00a0 The Federal Railroad Administration has offered suggestions to Congress on ways to continue making progress on PTC implementation without unconditional multi-year extensions of the current deadline.\u00a0 I have also worked diligently to make sure federal grant and financing opportunities, such as TIGER grants and Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement loans, can be used for PTC implementation,\u201d wrote Durbin.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cI believe commuters, workers and the Illinois congressional delegation can benefit from the Board clarifying Metra\u2019s position on PTC.\u00a0 The former Executive Director was \u201cfirmly committed\u201d to meeting the federal deadline for PTC implementation.\u00a0 However, Metra has since made public statements supporting a multiple year extension of the deadline without conditions.\u00a0 The recent crash in New York is an opportunity for the new leadership at Metra to reconsider its position on PTC.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nFollowing a 2008 fatal train crash in California, Congress mandated - as part of the Amtrak and Rail Safety bill - that Amtrak, commuter rail carriers and Class I railroads must install PTC systems on tracks that carry passengers or toxic-by-inhalation materials by January 1, 2016.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nCalls for PTC have been renewed in the wake of last week\u2019s New York Metro North crash that was likely due to the driver missing several speed and signal warnings and hitting a sharp turn at excessive speed.\u00a0 According to investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board, PTC may have helped avoid this crash by automatically slowing the train down in that situation.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nText of today\u2019s letter is below:\r\n\u00a0\r\nDecember 5, 2013\r\n\u00a0\r\nJohn E. Partelow\r\nActing Chairman\r\nMetra Board of Directors\r\n547 W. Jackson Blvd.\r\nChicago, IL 60661\r\n\u00a0\r\nDear Acting Chairman Partelow and Metra Board Directors:\r\n\u00a0\r\nI write to ask Metra to clarify its position on implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) by January 1, 2016.\u00a0 Congress mandated this safety technology be installed on rail lines with heavy passenger and hazardous material traffic by then, although some in the industry are now asking Congress to delay that implementation deadline.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nPTC would have prevented two derailments that occurred on Metra trains in 2003 and 2005.\u00a0 These two crashes resulted in two fatalities, almost 200 injuries and millions in legal costs to Metra.\u00a0\u00a0 Several safety experts have also said last week\u2019s fatal rail accident in New York could have been avoided if PTC were fully installed along those tracks.\r\n\u00a0\r\nMetra is moving beyond the serious management and financial challenges of the last few years.\u00a0 The Board now has newly appointed leadership, with more than half of the current Directors being named since the last Chairman resigned.\u00a0 The new Board has been busy revisiting past Metra practices and policies, and I believe commuters, workers and the Illinois congressional delegation can benefit from the Board clarifying Metra\u2019s position on PTC.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe former Executive Director was \u201cfirmly committed\u201d to meeting the federal deadline for PTC implementation.\u00a0 However, Metra has since made public statements supporting a multiple year extension of the deadline without conditions.\u00a0 The recent crash in New York is an opportunity for the new leadership at Metra to reconsider its position on PTC.\r\n\u00a0\r\nMeeting the federal deadline of implementing PTC will be challenging.\u00a0 The Federal Railroad Administration has offered suggestions to Congress on ways to continue making progress on PTC implementation without unconditional multi-year extensions of the current deadline.\u00a0 I have also worked diligently to make sure federal grant and financing opportunities, such as TIGER grants and Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement loans, can be used for PTC implementation.\u00a0 More can be done to assist commuter railroads to implement PTC, and I stand ready to work with you to make sure more opportunities and resources are available to achieve the highest level of safety for Metra commuters and workers.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Metra Board is scheduled to meet again on Friday, December 13, 2013.\u00a0 I encourage you to take this opportunity to discuss your position on PTC implementation and report back to the Illinois Delegation with your recommendations for the future of PTC on Metra.\r\n\u00a0\r\nSincerely,\r\nRichard J. Durbin\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://gutierrez.house.gov/remarks-e-pluribus-unum-prizes-ceremony", "Remarks at E Pluribus Unum Prizes Ceremony", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Luis Guti\u00e9rrez", "G000535", "gutierrez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Luis V. Guti\u00e9rrez\n\tRemarks at E Pluribus Unum Prizes Ceremony\n\tHosted by the Migration Policy Institute\n\tMayflower Hotel, Washington DC\n\tDecember 4, 2013\nThe annual E Pluribus Unum Prizes are given to promising projects in immigrant integration at a conference convened by the Migration Policy Institute (www.migrationpolicy.org) in Washington.\u00a0 This year's event was held at the Mayflower Hotel on December 4, 2013 and Rep. Luis V. Guti\u00e9rrez (D-IL) delivered the keynote address.\u00a0 The following is the text, as prepared for delivery:\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thank you to Margie McHugh and the team at MPI for inviting me to be a part of today's ceremony.\u00a0 And congratulations to all of the recipients.\u00a0 Your recognition, and the injection of some much needed money, means you are leading the way.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The E-Pluribus-Unum awards program and the thinking behind it is something I strongly support.\u00a0 And just the phrase E-Pluribus-Unum is evocative of the founding principles of our nation.\u00a0 Out of many, one.\u00a0 Like immigration and the integration of immigrants into our national fabric, it is a bedrock principle and a building block of our nation's history.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To borrow another phrase from our nation's history, I want to lay out a few assumptions that should guide our thinking today and our work over the next dozen months and the next dozen years.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"We hold these truths to be self-evident,\" meaning we can all agree on it as a common starting point for the work ahead.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We hold these truths to be self-evident that eventually, over the course of a few generations, integration and assimilation problems mostly get resolved in this country.\u00a0 We no longer complain on Columbus Day about unassimilated Italians or wish the Irish would integrate themselves in American society on St. Patrick's Day.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Whether it is cuisine, language, dress, values, or culture, America changes immigrants over time and to a certain extent, America and her culture and values are changed and refined by each new generation, including its immigrants.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We hold these truths to be self-evident that English is not in any danger.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The entire world is desperate to learn English and the United States is no exception.\u00a0 The question is not the desire to learn English, but our capacity to meet this demand with classes and methods that facilitate English learning.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I grew up in a truly bilingual family.\u00a0 My parents spoke Spanish to me and I spoke English to them and we mostly understood each other.\u00a0 I had to learn Spanish later when my family moved back to Puerto Rico, which was a rude surprise to a 15 year-old Luis Gutierrez.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When my mom came to the U.S., she didn't even have a winter coat.\u00a0 In Chicago!\u00a0 But the Catholic Church was the welcome wagon in our neighborhood and she got her winter coat there.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Americans are very generous\u2026in the end.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And very inclusive\u2026after a while.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And love and eventually embrace every wave of new immigrants \u2026after first being skeptical and holding them at arm's length.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And here is another truth: We hold these truths to be self-evident that almost all of the 11 million or more undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States will live in the United States for the rest of their lives.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Most have been here more than a decade.\u00a0 Most live in families.\u00a0 And their children are mostly citizens of the United States.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They are not a problem to be solved, but rather a reality to be embraced and dealt with in our work.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They are here.\u00a0 Joe Arpaio and Mitt Romney, notwithstanding.\u00a0 The undocumented are not going anywhere no matter how much some people want them to.\u00a0 So you here in this room are absolutely right to be on the cutting edge of assimilating and integrating them into their society.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That said, we also hold these truths to be self-evident that there are incredible challenges to working with an undocumented population for policy makers and service providers -- either public or private.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But it is equally self-evident that many, if not most, of the issues presented by someone's undocumented status are cleared up when we grant them status.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Being afraid of deportation or being afraid that contacting the police or fire department or a doctor could lead to your deportation is a threshold issue that many service providers find difficult to overcome.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Imagine that every time your kid goes out on his bike, you worry that he could be injured\u2026well that is true for every mom and dad in history.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But imagine that your real fear is not just that your kid gets hurt, but that your family is split up because your immigration status becomes an issue in your son's health care.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Signing up for nutrition programs for U.S. citizens can be scary.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Signing a kid up for a little league run by the county can be scary.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A parent-teacher conference or even your home phone ringing unexpectedly might cause a minor or a major panic.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Protecting someone from deportation does not solve all their problems, but it is hard for us to help that individual or family solve any of their problems until we do.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So the 11 million people and their families are staying.\u00a0 The question before the country now is not whether they stay, but under what conditions they stay.\u00a0 Whether or not we have an immigration reform bill will not impact whether most of those here end up staying.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But we can make that situation much better for the immigrants and for the communities in which immigrants are settling if we have a broad and generous immigration bill that enables and accelerates integration and assimilation.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Along with MPI and NCLR, my office is working to incorporate an integration component into whatever bill moves in the House.\u00a0 This combined with the very fact that we are reestablishing legality and legitimacy to our entire immigration system mean that the next decades will be dynamic ones in the field of immigrant integration.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Now, let me throw out one additional self-evident truth: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all or almost all undocumented immigrants living in the United States will eventually be able to apply for citizenship.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Whether we allow that in legislation passed during this Congress or not, eventually everyone here that wants it and is not a convicted felon or other special case, will be allowed to apply for citizenship if they wait long enough.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There simply is no precedent in American history for a group of people not eventually being embraced.\u00a0 Even the worst episodes of exclusion and hatred in America were overtaken by history, eventually.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But more importantly, the power is building every day.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I often talk about a man I met earlier this year who said to me:\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gutierrez, \"Find me my papers.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let my deportation widow my wife or orphan my children.\u00a0 My children will remember who treated their parents badly and will punish them with their votes.\u00a0 But right now, I need my papers.\"\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 With or without immigration reform, an average of 880,000 Latino citizens will turn 18 and be eligible to vote each year, which works out to more than 2,000 per day.\u00a0 That is a staggering figure and these are all citizens.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As an immigrant and ethnic community, the Asian-Pacific American community is growing faster than the Latino community and as my colleagues like to remind me, is starting to tilt even more heavily away from the Republicans and towards the Democrats.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There is a demographic tsunami coming at America and any politicians or political structures that try to too hard or too rigidly to stop it will be swept away.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I still have a lot of optimism that we will get immigration reform done during this Congress.\u00a0 But this relies on politicians doing the right thing and understanding the political landscape in front of them, which is always a big \"if.\"\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Democrats have to put policy ahead of politics.\u00a0 If we as a party go the route of what is best for us politically in the short run, there is very little incentive to resolve the immigration issue.\u00a0 All the human suffering and exploitation and degradation aside, what Republicans have been doing on immigration is very good for the Democrats.\u00a0 My Party has to resist the temptation to play politics and go for an all or nothing strategy.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And the Republicans have to break out of their nothing or nothing strategy.\u00a0 The Democrats have put something on the table in the House, not an ideal bill, but a bill around which more than 190 Democrats and a couple of Republicans have signed on.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But so far, we really haven't seen anything form House Republicans.\u00a0 We know what they are against, which they describe in different terms like \"amnesty\" or \"the Senate Bill\" or \"a bill with 800 pages\" or \"something Obama wants.\"\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But we have not seen any concrete, passable or workable proposals.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I am optimistic that we will in the early days of next year, get a bill.\u00a0 I am always optimistic.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But I am also practical.\u00a0 The man I referred to earlier didn't say 'get me my citizenship so I can vote.'\u00a0 He didn't say 'give me a special path to citizenship so I can vote some day.'\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He said get me my papers so I do not leave my wife and children behind if I get deported.\u00a0 There will be plenty of time for his citizen-children and their children to vote.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He does not have the luxury of holding out for the perfect Democratic bill.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He wants me to \"find his papers\" now.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If we wanted the perfect Democratic Bill, we should have passed it when Democrats were in charge of the House and the Senate and the White House, but we didn't.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Republicans insist on passing several bills, not one big one.\u00a0 The President has said -- and I have said -- 'That's fine.\u00a0 Do what you need to do.'\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Some have suggested that the way you thread the needle for Republicans between the immigration reform the country wants, which includes a path to citizenship, and the Republican's number one priority, which is opposing what President Obama is for, is to offer a compromise that includes something less than citizenship.\u00a0 I don't think this is a good idea because citizenship is important, but I don't think it is a big deal breaker either.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Go back to what I said earlier: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all or almost all undocumented immigrants living in the United States will eventually be able to apply for citizenship.\u00a0 Whether we allow that in legislation passed this year or not.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Right now we have to stop the deportations that are breaking up families.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And if we do not get citizenship this year, we will be back next year and the year after that.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is not baseball where we go play nine innings and we are done.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No.\u00a0 The fight for justice has infinite innings and we have to be ready to suit up every morning in a clean uniform and go out there every day.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If we lose, we fight harder.\u00a0 If we win, we fight harder.\u00a0 We don't defend our victories, we expand them.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If we get any form of immigration reform, our work on integration is just beginning.\u00a0 We have to get people signed up, we have to keep people from getting scammed, we must escort them through the process, which could take decades.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do not give up on immigration reform.\u00a0 Despite all the obituaries we read in the press, it is not dead yet.\u00a0 It is not dead even of John Boehner says it is dead.\u00a0 Number 1 because he may say it is alive next week and send reporters scrambling to rewrite their stories.\u00a0 Second, this movement for immigration reform and integration is larger than the legislative calendar.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the coming months, I predict you will see a bill or bills and you will see Democrats and Republicans working together.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When you see that, act.\u00a0 Act quickly to embrace it.\u00a0 It will not be perfect, and it may not even be pretty.\u00a0 But we have a responsibility to move forward if the bills offer real solutions and don\u2019t include poison pills we simply cannot swallow.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There will be Republicans saying whatever- it-is does too much and Democrats saying it does too little and they could kill any measure before it has even taken its first steps if we let them.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But there are men and women of intelligence and good will in both parties who want to get this done and we must be ready to support them.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Again, I want to thank the Migration Policy Institute for allowing me to speak and to congratulate the honorees in the E-Pluribus-Unum awards program.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And I ask you to stay tuned, because I will need your help.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140512004109/http://bustos.house.gov:80/press-and-media/press-releases/congresswoman-cheri-bustos-leads-new-effort-to-put-our-veterans-back", "Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Leads New Effort To Put Our Veterans Back To Work", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, with input from her recent \u201cStanding up for our Veterans\u201d tour across Illinois\u2019 17th District, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) spearheaded a new effort to create jobs for our nation\u2019s veterans.\u00a0 The Jobs for Heroes Act, introduced by Bustos, would not only extend, but also expand two expiring federal business tax credits designed to spur veteran employment.\u00a0 If Congress fails to act the federal tax credits will expire at the end of December.\n\u201cOur brave veterans deserve our full support and that starts with making sure they have access to good-paying jobs when they return home,\u201d said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.\u00a0 \u201cThe unemployment rate for our veterans remains far too high.\u00a0 Democrats and Republicans should work together to renew and expand this job-creation tool that puts our veterans to work and provides our businesses with talented, skilled and dedicated workers.\u201d\nAfter hearing firsthand from our veterans last month about a variety of concerns, Bustos was urged to tackle the high unemployment rate among young veterans.\u00a0 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterans between the ages of 18 and 24 have an unemployment rate of 20.4%, which is 5% higher than non-veterans of the same age range. \u00a0\n\u201cI\u2019m leading this new effort to help connect veterans to jobs and economic opportunity in their communities,\u201d Bustos continued. \u201cIt is common sense to not only extend these effective tax credits, but to provide additional incentives to businesses who are willing to be our partners in this effort.\u201d\nThe Jobs for Heroes Act would:\n Extend and expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to make the tax credit permanent and available to businesses, both small and large, that hire veterans, members of the National Guard, or Ready Reservists.\u00a0 Currently, the tax credit it only available to businesses that hire certain veterans with economic or physical difficulties.\n\t\t\u00a0\n\tExtend and expand the Employer Wage Credit (EWC) to make the tax credit permanent and available to all businesses, both large and small.\u00a0 Currently, this tax credit is only available to small businesses.\u00a0 When National Guard members or Reservists are called up to active duty, their civilian jobs and salaries are placed on hiatus and they begin receiving military pay.\u00a0 If their civilian salary was higher, the civilian employer might voluntarily provide differential pay to the individual to make up for this pay gap and in return, claim a tax credit of up to 20 percent of the difference. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n   \n\tThis past month, Bustos traveled Illinois\u2019 17th District as part of her \u201cStanding up for our Veterans\u201d tour to meet with local veterans to listen to their priorities and concerns.\u00a0 She also discussed her work to cut down on the growing VA claims backlog, put veterans to work in good-paying jobs, make sure education and job training programs remain affordable and accessible, and put an end to veterans\u2019 homelessness.\u00a0 Bustos kicked-off the tour in Pekin by holding a listening roundtable with local veterans, toured the Peoria Air National Guard Base, held veterans\u2019 homelessness roundtables in Rockford and Peoria, conducted a \u201cCheri on Shift\u201d at the Sterling VA Clinic, participated in the \u201cVeterans History Project\u201d by interviewing a WWII veteran in Galesburg, and spoke at several veterans recognition ceremonies throughout Veterans Day weekend.\u00a0\nDuring her tenure in Congress, Bustos has made our nation\u2019s veterans a top priority and has relentlessly fought to protect the benefits they\u2019ve earned and deserve.\u00a0 In August, Bustos joined with Republican Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08) to introduce a new bipartisan bill that would help put veterans back to work rebuilding our crumbling roads, bridges, tunnels and rail lines.\u00a0 The Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act [H.R. 2906] continues Bustos\u2019 fight on behalf of our veterans by helping to ensure that they play a critical role in rebuilding our nation\u2019s infrastructure by providing them with access to existing contracting preferences authorized for transportation projects.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://gutierrez.house.gov/press-release/rep-guti%C3%A9rrez-house-judiciary-committee-bloviating-not-legislating", "REP. GUTI\u00c9RREZ: HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IS \"BLOVIATING, NOT LEGISLATING\"", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Luis Guti\u00e9rrez", "G000535", "gutierrez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\"Here in the Judiciary Committee we are running out the clock on 2013 and trying to score cheap political points.\"\n\u00a0\nWashington, DC \u2013 Today, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on \"The President\u2019s Constitutional Duty to Faithfully Execute the Laws\" (live webcast), but has not acted in a substantive way to address immigration reform.\u00a0 Rep. Luis V. Guti\u00e9rrez (D-IL), in his prepared opening statement, said that rather than attack the President and accuse him of not faithfully enforcing laws, the time of the Judiciary Committee would be better spent passing laws that are enforceable, especially when it comes to immigration.\u00a0 As for the topic of the hearing, Congressman Guti\u00e9rrez said, \"When it comes to whether the President has broad discretion on whether to prosecute a violation of the law, there really is no debate.\"\u00a0\nThe following are the Congressman's remarks from the hearing as prepared for delivery.\u00a0 Also appended is an op-ed on immigration reform, \"Immigration: You Cannot Do Nothing,\" which appeared in today's edition of The Hill newspaper.\n\u00a0\nREMARKS - JUDICIARY COMMITTEE\nDecember 3, 2013\n[As Prepared for Delivery]\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Once again we are bloviating and not legislating in this Committee.\u00a0 We could be using this time to find common ground or even to have a strenuous and substantive debate on important public policy matters, but instead, we are offering empty assurances and shaping political messages for next fall.\u00a0 Rather than worrying about whether the President we know you \"distrust,\" is enforcing our laws the way you would like him to, we could be making meaningful progress towards crafting and passing laws for the betterment of the American people.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For example, Speaker Boehner, Majority Whip McCarthy, and many other Republicans have said we do not have time to address immigration reform this year.\u00a0 And yet, here in the Judiciary Committee we are running out the clock on 2013 and trying to score cheap political points.\u00a0 Can anyone recall the last time we had a substantive immigration reform hearing?\u00a0 It was a hearing in July about the plight of undocumented children who have no way of getting legal and was supposed to be a precursor to the introduction of the KIDS Act, a Republican version of the DREAM Act about which we have heard plenty of rumor but seen zero substance.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But the Majority want us to believe that we don't have time for immigration reform?\u00a0 We had time to pass four partisan bills in the Judiciary Committee that will not go anywhere.\u00a0 They were a rebuke to the Chairman of the Republican Party and anyone who analyzed the outcome of the last election and concluded that the Republicans should take a smarter, more enlightened approach to immigration reform.\u00a0 A stance that is not only in tune with two-thirds of the American public, including Republican and Independent voters, but that will actually take our nation in the direction of law and order on immigration rather than more isolated talk about border security and E-Verify that will not solve our immigration problems.\u00a0 Like I said, we have been bloviating and not legislating in this Committee.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When it comes to whether the President has broad discretion on whether to prosecute a violation of the law, there really is no debate.\u00a0 The former Chairman of this Committee, an immigration hardliner who was responsible for passing some of our nation's most restrictive and harsh immigration laws, has made exactly this case.\u00a0 He argued that in hardship cases, the President and his enforcement agents in the Executive Branch ought to spare certain individuals from deportation, even if by the letter of the law, they were deportable.\u00a0 This is the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee just a few years ago, a Member who sits on this panel today who states that prosecutorial discretion was \u201cwell established\u201d and \u201cwell grounded in case law.\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I argue that when it comes to prosecutorial discretion, the President has gone to great lengths to act cautiously and within the law, especially when it comes to immigration.\u00a0 For five years I have been asking him to do more to dial back the deportations and for five years the President has resisted.\u00a0 When he has acted to protect the spouses, children, and parents of military service members from deportation or undocumented youth who were brought here at an early age and raised in the United States, he has instituted each of those measures by examining the facts of each occurrence on a case by case basis, not in any blanket or haphazard way.\u00a0 I know, because my staff and I have sat down with DREAMers and helped them assemble the evidence they need to meet the standards of the DACA program, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals plan the President announced in June 2012.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And for five years, as I have been calling on the President to exercise his discretionary latitude to spare families and individuals from deportation and separation, there have been Members on the other side who have threatened the President's powers if the idea is even whispered.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Let's be honest, please.\u00a0 Today's hearing is a threat that any use of executive prosecutorial discretion will result in a full-frontal political assault.\u00a0 Yet we are unwilling as a body to pass laws that will actually address the problems the President, perhaps after some resistance, feels compelled to address.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In two or three hours today and for the remaining five or six days on the legislative calendar this year, who could actually do more to stop destructive deportations that are harming our national interest.\u00a0 The Judiciary Committee or the President?\u00a0 Who could do more to establish real border security, workplace enforcement systems like E-Verify to protect American workers, and a visa system that reduces illegal immigration?\u00a0 The Judiciary Committee or the President?\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Instead, we will bloviate about taking powers away from a President willing to act when the need is so great and the wound has festered so long, while we as a Committee and a Congress will do nothing to address the problem and heal the festering wound ourselves.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mr. Chairman, we can do better than this and we must.\n\u00a0\n* * *\n\u00a0\nTHE HILL: Immigration: You Cannot Do Nothing\nRep. Luis V. Guti\u00e9rrez (D-IL), December 3, 2013\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Before Congress left town in November, two teenagers interrupted Speaker John Boehner\u2019s breakfast.\u00a0 As he ate, they asked what he is doing to ensure that they and their families will not be deported.\u00a0 Then, the week of Thanksgiving, an undocumented student who has lived in the U.S. since age eleven interrupted President Obama\u2018s speech on immigration to ask when he would stop the deportations that are splitting up families.\u00a0 These undocumented youth are American in every sense of the word -- including the confidence with which they speak their minds -- but they don't have papers.\u00a0 Many politicians are learning what I have known for years: you cannot go anywhere without hearing about the devastation caused by two million deportations.\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We harm ourselves every day when we deport 1,100 people.\u00a0 We put U.S. citizen children in foster care or the care of others or we send them out of the country. A generation of kids has grown up with the threat of deportation of mom or dad.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It is unsustainable and creates a sense of urgency around the immigration issue that, unfortunately, does not seem to register here in Washington.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 My friend Eliseo Medina and others embarked on a fast in November (www.Fast4Families.org) to impress the urgent need for an immigration reform vote in the House of Representatives.\u00a0 They put their health on the line because a moral and just cause requires sacrifice when comfortable politicians seem content with inaction.\u00a0 But the country cannot afford to let the immigration crisis fester.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Especially when the solution is so close at hand.\u00a0 I have said for months that the votes exist in the House for fair and sensible immigration reform that legalizes the undocumented and keeps families together.\u00a0 If the Speaker gives us a vote, we can fully implement E-Verify, protect our borders, reduce illegal immigration, strengthen legal immigration and heal our families.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But eyeing next November, Republicans -- and some Democrats -- have already done the math and so far, the do-nothing approach is winning.\u00a0 So let me explain the political mathematics as I see them.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats will win any favor from the American people by doing nothing.\u00a0 It is still true that two-thirds of the American people favor immigration reform that legalizes people and allows them to eventually apply for citizenship.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Still, many politicians are reluctant to vote 'yea' on any immigration reform bill because they worry such a vote will cost them in a primary or a general election.\u00a0 They are wrong.\u00a0 But OK; we don't need their votes.\u00a0 Every Republican and Democrat who believes immigration reform will hurt their districts can vote \u2018nay\u2019 and we still have 218 votes for the reform this country needs and deserves.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Immigration aside, many Republicans feel they were sent to Washington to prevent the President from getting anything he wants. \u00a0Their political slogan can be summed up as \"Vote for us so we can stop POTUS.\"\u00a0 Despite votes from a third of the Senate Republicans, the authorship of key Republican leaders, and the support of business, evangelical, and conservative leaders across the country, immigration reform is seen as something the President wants and therefore something that must be prevented by House Republicans.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fine.\u00a0 We know you are against the President.\u00a0 Tell us what you do want.\u00a0 I think there is substantial room for compromise on immigration in the next few weeks and certainly the next few months.\u00a0 If it helps you politically to define it as a series of incremental steps and a rejection of the Senate plan, so be it.\u00a0 You can dress it up with enforcement measures, as long as it doesn't actually undermine public safety.\u00a0 And you can call it the \"Anti-Obama Immigration Reform Act\" if that is what it takes.\u00a0 But you cannot do nothing.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When I think about the urgency of immigration reform, I think about the young people who interrupted the President and the Speaker and the clock that is ticking on their lives.\u00a0 I think of the Fast4Families fasters on the Mall and their sacrifice.\u00a0 But most of all I think of a father who came up to me recently and said:\n\"Find my papers.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let my deportation widow my wife or orphan my children.\u00a0 My children will remember who treated their parents badly and will punish them with their votes.\u00a0 But right now, I need my papers.\"\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Politicians in both parties should think about that man and find a way to do what he asks.\n\u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-kelly-votes-to-uphold-ban-on-undetectable-firearms", "Congresswoman Kelly Votes to Uphold Ban on Undetectable Firearms", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Robin Kelly", "K000385", "robinkelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Kelly Votes to Uphold Ban on Undetectable Firearms\n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) voted today to uphold a federal ban on firearms that are undetectable by metal detectors to help protect the public from the threat of guns being smuggled into secure facilities. \n\u00a0\nH.R. 3626, the Extend Undetectable Firearms Act, extends for 10 years the ban on the manufacture, importation, sale, shipment, delivery, possession, transfer or receipt of firearms that are undetectable by metal detectors at security checkpoints. The bill passed with bipartisan support. \n\u00a0\n\u201cWhen the public enters into buildings that are secured with metal detectors they rightfully expect to be protected from guns being introduced into that environment. This law makes it harder for would-be criminals to secretly bring guns into these buildings,\u201d Rep. Kelly said. \u201cI am pleased that my colleagues were able to come together in a bipartisan manner to pass this important piece of legislation. It is my hope that we can also come together in the future around other common sense gun laws to help keep our communities safer from the threat of gun violence.\u201d\n\u00a0\nIn addition to voting on H.R. 3626, Congresswoman Kelly has introduced three common sense gun bills this Congress:\n\u00a0\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 H.R. 2464, The Improving Gun Safety Standards Act, amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to include pistols, revolvers, and other firearms in the definition of \u201cconsumer product\u201d in order to permit the issuance of safety standards for guns by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 H.R. 2465, The Recognizing Gun Violence as a Public Health Emergency Act, would require the U.S. Surgeon General to submit to Congress an annual report on the effects of gun violence on public health.\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 H.R. 2648, The Keeping Guns From High-Risk Individuals Act prohibits the sale or transfer of guns to \u201chigh risk\u201d individuals, including those who have been convicted of violent crimes, crimes involving drugs or alcohol or domestic violence. \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-statement-on-ukrainian-demonstration-violence", "Quigley Statement on Ukrainian Demonstration Violence", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement on the Ukrainian government's use of violence in response to demonstrators in Kyiv:\nUkrainian leaders must respect their citizens' rights to freedom of expression and assembly, which is a bedrock principle in any developing democracy. The unnecessary use of violence to silence peaceful voices undermines the country's democratic future, and the United States should continue to stand with the Ukrainian people in their desire for economic growth and a free republic.\nRep. Quigley is a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus. He has previously met with Ukrainian officials to address concerns voiced by the Ukrainian community in Illinois' 5th Congressional District and recently commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Ukrainian famine and genocide.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140512012333/http://bustos.house.gov/press-and-media/press-releases/congresswoman-cheri-bustos-reminds-illinois-tornado-victims-to", "Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Reminds Illinois Tornado Victims To Register For Disaster Assistance", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) reminded victims of the recent tornadoes in Illinois to register for disaster assistance with FEMA as soon as possible.\u00a0 \u00a0 Illinoisans who want to register with FEMA for disaster assistance from the November 17th tornadoes can do so by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585.\u00a0 They can also register online by going to www.disasterassistance.gov or via a web-enabled phone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Constituents are encouraged to call Bustos\u2019 Rock Island office at 309-786-3406, Peoria office at 309-966-1813, or Rockford office at 815-968-8011 if they need further assistance contacting FEMA.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-introduces-student-loan-borrower-bill-of-rights", "Durbin Introduces Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Introduces Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation Will Reform Disclosure and Servicing Standards for Both Federal and Private Student Loans\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [CHICAGO]  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that when the Senate reconvenes next week he and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) will introduce legislation to ensure struggling student loan borrowers understand the full range of repayment options and resources available to them and are treated fairly by the financial institutions servicing their loans.\r\n\r\nStudent loan debt has tripled over the last decade with more than 40 million borrowers owing about $1.1 trillion on their student loans and student loan debt now surpasses credit card debt. This generation's college graduates begin their adult lives with $25,000 or more in debt weighing them down, Durbin said. With student loan debt far outpacing the rise in starting salaries, many of these borrowers find they are unable to make their monthly payments. When lenders refuse to work with them on a repayment plan, they begin a downward spiral that is difficult to turn around. That debt keeps them from being able to purchase homes, cars or other goods which fuel our economy. That's why, when I return to Washington next week, I will introduce the Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights to help those struggling with loan debt. Every borrower should have basic protections when it comes to their student loans.\r\n\r\nA recent report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau revealed that servicing standards are in need of reform to ensure borrowers are informed and can access basic information about their loans. Though many students hold federal student loans with strong consumer protections, a growing number take out private loans that carry no limits on interest rates and offer few, if any, alternative repayment plans. In some cases, even federal student loan borrowers are unaware of options like income-based repayment and public service loan forgiveness. Payments are sometimes misallocated to loans with lower interest rates, preventing borrowers from paying loans off quickly, and borrowers report significant challenges in resolving errors on their accounts in a timely manner.\r\n\r\nBorrowers are already struggling to make ends meet as they graduate with debt that surpasses their annual wages, Durbin said. These borrowers and their families should not have to face additional costs because they cannot resolve errors quickly or gain access to programs meant to help them. My bill will ensure that all borrowers will have access to these basic rights and protections.\r\n\r\nDurbin's bill provides six basic rights for all federal and private student loan borrowers:\r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to have options such as alternative payment plans to avoid default.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to be informed about key terms and conditions of the loan and any repayment options to ensure changing plans won't cost more.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to know your loan's servicer and who to reach out to when there is a problem.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to consistency when it comes to how monthly payments are applied. Lenders and servicers should also honor promotions and promises that are advertised or offered.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to fairness, like grace periods when loans are transferred or debt cancellation when the borrower dies or becomes disabled.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nThe right to accountability, including timely resolution of errors and certification of private loans.\r\n \r\n\r\nThe bill places a special focus on servicemember and veteran borrowers by requiring loan servicers to provide each borrower with a liaison specifically trained in the benefits available to military borrowers.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-statement-on-the-cfpbs-announcement-it-will-begin-overseeing-nonbank-student-loan-servicers", "Durbin Statement on the CFPB's Announcement It Will Begin Overseeing Nonbank Student Loan Servicers", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Statement on the CFPB's Announcement It Will Begin Overseeing Nonbank Student Loan Servicers \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[CHICAGO]  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on today's announcement by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that it would begin supervising nonbank student loan servicers with more than one million accounts:\r\n\r\nToday's announcement by the CFPB ensures that millions more student loan borrowers will enjoy the strong consumer protections that come with the scrutiny of this vital agency. Large loan servicers operating outside the banking system will now be held to higher standards, and consumers can expect more accurate application of payments and more timely resolution of errors on their accounts. At the same time, the CFPB will be better able to evaluate problems like servicer transfer errors which many student loan borrowers face. This is the heightened level of consumer protection I had in mind when I introduced the bill creating an agency that became the CFPB, and I'm glad the agency is continuing to make good on its mission to protect student loan holders and other consumers.\r\n\r\nThe CFPB currently oversees student loan servicing at the largest banks. However, more than 40 million Americans with student debt depend on loan servicers, who are often different than the lenders, to serve as the primary point of contact about their loans. Today's rule expands the CFPB's supervision to any nonbank student loan servicer that handles more than one million borrower accounts, regardless of whether they service federal or private loans.\r\n\r\nUnder today's final rule, which was first proposed in March, the CFPB estimates that it will have authority to supervise the seven largest student loan servicers. Combined, those seven service the loans of more than 49 million borrower accounts, representing most of the activity in the student loan servicing market.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-tours-gifford-tornado-damage", "Durbin Tours Gifford Tornado Damage", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Tours Gifford Tornado Damage \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Urges Storm Victims to Register For Federal Disaster Assistance\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [GIFFORD, IL]  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Gifford to take a firsthand look at the damage from last month's tornado and get an update on the recovery efforts from IEMA.\r\n\r\nThe tornado damage that I saw firsthand here in Gifford and last month in Washington is some of the worst I have ever seen, Durbin said. The rebuilding process will be a lengthy one, but I wanted to come to Gifford today to see that recovery in action and learn what more I can do to help. President Obama has approved federal assistance to help storm victims in Champaign County, and I urge the people of Gifford to contact my office if they need help accessing that aid. As bad as things may seem, I know a year from now we'll marvel at the progress Gifford and other communities have made in recovering from these terrible storms.\r\n\r\nLast Tuesday, President Barack Obama declared Illinois a major disaster area, approving Gov. Pat Quinn's request for federal assistance. The declaration makes federal Individual Assistance (IA) available to people and businesses in 15 Illinois counties, including Champaign County. IA funding helps with temporary housing, home repairs or replacement, and other disaster-related expenses. The President's declaration renders all Illinois counties eligible for Hazard Mitigation Assistance, which includes funding to reduce future losses to public and private property.\r\n\r\nDurbin and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) led Illinois' entire Congressional Delegation in submitting a bipartisan letter of support along with the Governor's request.\r\n\r\nAnyone impacted by the Nov. 17 tornadoes should register for the grants and low-interest loans they may be eligible for. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the assistance program, has a toll-free telephone number (1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for hearing and speech impaired) for victims to apply for assistance. Registration can also be done online at www.disasterassistance.gov?.\r\n\r\nStorm victims who require assistance registering with FEMA can contact Senator Durbin's Springfield office at 1-217-492-4062.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=10b2d6bf-20ff-42cb-a1d2-11a0e0e69c5f", "Durbin Statement on the CFPB's Announcement It Will Begin Overseeing Nonbank Student Loan Servicers", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Statement on the CFPB's Announcement It Will Begin Overseeing Nonbank Student Loan Servicers \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[CHICAGO] \u2013 U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on today\u2019s announcement by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that it would begin supervising nonbank student loan servicers with more than one million accounts:\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cToday\u2019s announcement by the CFPB ensures that millions more student loan borrowers will enjoy the strong consumer protections that come with the scrutiny of this vital agency.\u00a0 Large loan servicers operating outside the banking system will now be held to higher standards, and consumers can expect more accurate application of payments and more timely resolution of errors on their accounts.\u00a0 At the same time, the CFPB will be better able to evaluate problems like servicer transfer errors which many student loan borrowers face.\u00a0 This is the heightened level of consumer protection I had in mind when I introduced the bill creating an agency that became the CFPB, and I\u2019m glad the agency is continuing to make good on its mission to protect student loan holders and other consumers.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe CFPB currently oversees student loan servicing at the largest banks.\u00a0 However, more than 40 million Americans with student debt depend on loan servicers, who are often different than the lenders, to serve as the primary point of contact about their loans.\u00a0 Today\u2019s rule expands the CFPB\u2019s supervision to any nonbank student loan servicer that handles more than one million borrower accounts, regardless of whether they service federal or private loans.\r\n\u00a0\r\nUnder today\u2019s final rule, which was first proposed in March, the CFPB estimates that it will have authority to supervise the seven largest student loan servicers. Combined, those seven service the loans of more than 49 million borrower accounts, representing most of the activity in the student loan servicing market.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=39f0388f-3e37-44d7-97f1-904ebfd1a40d", "Durbin Tours Gifford Tornado Damage", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Tours Gifford Tornado Damage \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator Urges Storm Victims to Register For Federal Disaster Assistance\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [GIFFORD, IL] \u2013 U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Gifford to take a firsthand look at the damage from last month\u2019s tornado and get an update on the recovery efforts from IEMA.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe tornado damage that I saw firsthand here in Gifford and last month in Washington is some of the worst I have ever seen,\u201d Durbin said.\u00a0 \u201cThe rebuilding process will be a lengthy one, but I wanted to come to Gifford today to see that recovery in action and learn what more I can do to help.\u00a0 President Obama has approved federal assistance to help storm victims in Champaign County, and I urge the people of Gifford to contact my office if they need help accessing that aid.\u00a0 As bad as things may seem, I know a year from now we\u2019ll marvel at the progress Gifford and other communities have made in recovering from these terrible storms.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nLast Tuesday, President Barack Obama declared Illinois a major disaster area, approving Gov. Pat Quinn\u2019s request for federal assistance.\u00a0 The declaration makes federal Individual Assistance (IA) available to people and businesses in 15 Illinois counties, including Champaign County.\u00a0 IA funding helps with temporary housing, home repairs or replacement, and other disaster-related expenses.\u00a0 The President\u2019s declaration renders all Illinois counties eligible for Hazard Mitigation Assistance, which includes funding to reduce future losses to public and private property.\r\n\u00a0\r\nDurbin and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) led Illinois\u2019 entire Congressional Delegation in submitting a bipartisan letter of support along with the Governor\u2019s request.\r\n\u00a0\r\nAnyone impacted by the Nov. 17 tornadoes should register for the grants and low-interest loans they may be eligible for. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the assistance program, has a toll-free telephone number (1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for hearing and speech impaired) for victims to apply for assistance. Registration can also be done online at www.disasterassistance.gov?.\r\n\u00a0\r\nStorm victims who require assistance registering with FEMA can contact Senator Durbin\u2019s Springfield office at 1-217-492-4062.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9b39e962-ea0f-4120-995c-48fcb19106be", "Durbin Introduces Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Introduces Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation Will Reform Disclosure and Servicing Standards for Both Federal and Private Student Loans\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t [CHICAGO] \u2013 U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that when the Senate reconvenes next week he and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) will introduce legislation to ensure struggling student loan borrowers understand the full range of repayment options and resources available to them and are treated fairly by the financial institutions servicing their loans.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cStudent loan debt has tripled over the last decade with more than 40 million borrowers owing about $1.1 trillion on their student loans and student loan debt now surpasses credit card debt.\u00a0 This generation\u2019s college graduates begin their adult lives with $25,000 or more in debt weighing them down,\u201d Durbin said.\u00a0 \u201cWith student loan debt far outpacing the rise in starting salaries, many of these borrowers find they are unable to make their monthly payments.\u00a0 When lenders refuse to work with them on a repayment plan, they begin a downward spiral that is difficult to turn around.\u00a0 That debt keeps them from being able to purchase homes, cars or other goods which fuel our economy.\u00a0 That\u2019s why, when I return to Washington next week, I will introduce the Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights to help those struggling with loan debt.\u00a0 Every borrower should have basic protections when it comes to their student loans.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nA recent report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau revealed that servicing standards are in need of reform to ensure borrowers are informed and can access basic information about their loans.\u00a0 Though many students hold federal student loans with strong consumer protections, a growing number take out private loans that carry no limits on interest rates and offer few, if any, alternative repayment plans.\u00a0 In some cases, even federal student loan borrowers are unaware of options like income-based repayment and public service loan forgiveness.\u00a0 Payments are sometimes misallocated to loans with lower interest rates, preventing borrowers from paying loans off quickly, and borrowers report significant challenges in resolving errors on their accounts in a timely manner.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cBorrowers are already struggling to make ends meet as they graduate with debt that surpasses their annual wages,\u201d Durbin said.\u00a0 \u201cThese borrowers and their families should not have to face additional costs because they cannot resolve errors quickly or gain access to programs meant to help them.\u00a0 My bill will ensure that all borrowers will have access to these basic rights and protections.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nDurbin\u2019s bill provides six basic rights for all federal and private student loan borrowers:\r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to have options such as alternative payment plans to avoid default.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to be informed about key terms and conditions of the loan and any repayment options to ensure changing plans won\u2019t cost more.\u00a0\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to know your loan\u2019s servicer and who to reach out to when there is a problem.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to consistency when it comes to how monthly payments are applied.\u00a0 Lenders and servicers should also honor promotions and promises that are advertised or offered.\u00a0\u00a0\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to fairness, like grace periods when loans are transferred or debt cancellation when the borrower dies or becomes disabled.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nThe right to accountability, including timely resolution of errors and certification of private loans.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\nThe bill places a special focus on servicemember and veteran borrowers by requiring loan servicers to provide each borrower with a liaison specifically trained in the benefits available to military borrowers.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301070618/http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/photos?ContentRecord_id=a192a1ea-e416-4cf1-8790-c6a69c8abe0e", "Springfield High School", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Main Menu\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHome\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbout Dick Durbin\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIllinois Info Center\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConstituent Services\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIssues and Legislation\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLegislative Agenda\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPress Office\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMultimedia Archives\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIllinois Investments\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn Your Community\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tToday in the Senate\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tContact Dick Durbin\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n    \tOffice Locations\n\t\t \n    \t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.711 Hart Senate Bldg.\n    \t\tWashington, DC 20510\n    \t\t9 am to 6 pm ET\n    \t\t(202) 224-2152 - phone\n    \t\t(202) 228-0400 - fax\n    \t\tCHICAGO\n    \t\t230 S Dearborn St.\n    \t\tSuite 3892\n    \t\tChicago, IL 60604\n    \t\t8:30 am to 5 pm\n    \t\t(312) 353-4952 - phone\n    \t\t(312) 353-0150 - fax\n    \t\tSPRINGFIELD\n    \t\t525 South 8th St.\n    \t\tSpringfield, IL 62703\n    \t\t8:30 am to 5 pm\n    \t\t(217) 492-4062 - phone\n    \t\t(217) 492-4382 - fax\n\t\n    \t\tCARBONDALE\n    \t\t250 W. Cherry Street\n    \t\tSuite 115-D\n    \t\tCarbondale, IL 62901\n    \t\t8:30 am to 5 pm\n    \t\t(618) 351-1122 - phone\n    \t\t(618) 351-1124 - fax\n    \t\n\t\n    \t\tROCK ISLAND\n    \t\t1504 Third Avenue\n    \t\tSuite 227\n    \t\tRock Island, IL 61201\n    \t\t8:30 am to 4:30 pm\n    \t\t(309) 786-5173 - phone\n(309) 786-5404 - fax", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-healthcaregov-working-better-for-illinois-families", "Durbin: Healthcare.gov Working Better for Illinois Families", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.13\n\t\t\t Durbin: Healthcare.gov Working Better for Illinois Families \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Urges Families to Log On, Shop for Plans and See Real Benefits of Heath Care Law\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C.  Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today the problems with Healthcare.gov, the national health insurance marketplace, have been dramatically improved and encouraged Illinois families looking for health care coverage to log-in, shop for plans and to see how they can benefit.\r\n\r\nThe launch of the national health insurance marketplace was a disaster and left Illinois families frustrated, angry and uncertain about how they'll be find affordable health coverage, Durbin said. Today, the website has been dramatically upgraded with hundreds of hardware and software fixes, increased capacity and improved efficiency. The new experience, while still not perfect, is a huge improvement. Families looking for coverage should give the site another look and find the benefits of the health care reform law.\r\n\r\nSince the initial launch of healthcare.gov there have been hundreds of software fixes and hardware upgrades which have vastly improved the site. The website is now operating higher capacity and efficiency with improved stability and ease of navigation.\r\n\r\nIllinois Families Seeing Benefits of the Health Care Law \r\nDespite problems with healthcare.gov, thousands of individuals and families in Illinois are signing up and seeing the benefits of affordable care.\r\n\r\nMr. K  Mr. K, married with two children, has been unemployed for over two-years. His wife, who is self-employed, insured their family through the COBRA plan costing them $1,700 a month. Mr. K reached out to health care navigators and found that his family qualified for Medicaid. With his family now enrolled, they are saving thousands of dollars a year in health care costs\r\n\r\nJessica  Jessica is a 27 year old musician and teacher and was able to sign up for a heath care plan using healthcare.gov. Jessica had a plan which expired and used the national marketplace to find a plan with better coverage at a lower price. Under her new plan, she'll save over $600 a year and no longer face discrimination for pre-existing conditions or increased costs simply for being a woman. There is no annual dollar limits on benefits or dropping folks when they get sick. Her policy now is guaranteed to include mental health, prescription drug, and maternity coverage, which many policies lacked before.\r\n\r\nDavid F.  David is a contract employee who was previously only able to have coverage through a group plan. Looking for individual coverage, David logged into healthcare.gov and had purchased a new plan within an hour. His new plan covers a previous condition and is more affordable than his previous group coverage.\r\n\r\nImportant Information for Illinois Families\r\n\r\n \r\nIndividuals and families in Illinois have until December 23 to sign up for coverage for January 1, 2014 and until March 31st to get coverage in 2014.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nIndividuals and families should visit Healthcare.gov at Off-Peak Hours. Mornings. Evenings. Weekends. \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nHave your information ready. This includes Social Security Numbers, employer and income information and policy numbers for your current coverage if you have it.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nFind Local Support in Illinois. Visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nIf You Need Help  Make Sure you Call. Representatives are available to help using our call center: 1-800-318-2596.\r\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-statement-on-supreme-court-decision-not-to-consider-online-sales-tax-collection-case", "Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Decision Not to Consider Online Sales Tax Collection Case", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Decision Not to Consider Online Sales Tax Collection Case \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after learning the Supreme Court has decided not to consider a case involving whether states can require the collection of sales and use taxes already owed under state law by out-of-state businesses under the Commerce Clause. Specifically, the case involved a New York law requiring retailers with affiliate advertisers in New York but no physical presence such as a warehouse or distribution center to collect sales tax and whether it is constitutional under the Commerce Clause.\r\n\r\nThis decision further illustrates why a national solution is needed to level the playing for local brick-and-mortar retailers and help them compete more effectively against out-of-state internet sellers, said Durbin. In 1992, the Supreme Court held that Congress ultimately has the power to regulate interstate commerce including allowing states to equally enforce state and local sales taxes on sales into the State. Over 20 years later, the Senate overwhelmingly agreed to do away with the patchwork of confusing state laws that currently govern remote sales by passing the bipartisan Marketplace Fairness Act in May of this year. It's time for the House of Representatives to stand up for Main Street businesses and do the same.\r\n\r\nThe Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013  introduced by Durbin and Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)  would give states the option to require the collection of sales and use taxes already owed under state law by out-of-state businesses, rather than rely on consumers to remit those taxes to the States, the method of tax collection to which they are now restricted. Under the current tax loophole, while brick-and-mortar retailers collect sales and use taxes from customers who make purchases in their stores, many online and catalog retailers do not collect the same taxes.\r\n\r\nThe bill currently has the support of over 280 labor, business and government organizations while 22 Governors (15 Republicans and 7 Democrats) have come out in support of leveling the playing field for businesses by addressing sales tax fairness. \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=ade03786-244c-42a0-b42b-258843ea93d1", "Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Decision Not to Consider Online Sales Tax Collection Case", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.13\n\t\t\t Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Decision Not to Consider Online Sales Tax Collection Case \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after learning the Supreme Court has decided not to consider a case involving whether states can require the collection of sales and use taxes already owed under state law by out-of-state businesses under the Commerce Clause.\u00a0 Specifically, the case involved a New York law requiring retailers with affiliate advertisers in New York but no physical presence such as a warehouse or distribution center to collect sales tax and whether it is constitutional under the Commerce Clause.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis decision further illustrates why a national solution is needed to level the playing for local brick-and-mortar retailers and help them compete more effectively against out-of-state internet sellers,\u201d said Durbin.\u00a0 \u201cIn 1992, the Supreme Court held that Congress ultimately has the power to regulate interstate commerce including allowing states to equally enforce state and local sales taxes on sales into the State.\u00a0 Over 20 years later, the Senate overwhelmingly agreed to do away with the patchwork of confusing state laws that currently govern remote sales by passing the bipartisan Marketplace Fairness Act in May of this year.\u00a0 It\u2019s time for the House of Representatives to stand up for Main Street businesses and do the same.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 \u2013 introduced by Durbin and Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) \u2013 would give states the option to require the collection of sales and use taxes already owed under state law by out-of-state businesses, rather than rely on consumers to remit those taxes to the States, the method of tax collection to which they are now restricted.\u00a0 Under the current tax loophole, while brick-and-mortar retailers collect sales and use taxes from customers who make purchases in their stores, many online and catalog retailers do not collect the same taxes.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe bill currently has the support of over 280 labor, business and government organizations while 22 Governors (15 Republicans and 7 Democrats) have come out in support of leveling the playing field for businesses by addressing sales tax fairness. \u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=f4fdb5de-ace0-4474-b895-bdf3c7117991", "Durbin: Healthcare.gov Working Better for Illinois Families", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.13\n\t\t\t Durbin: Healthcare.gov Working Better for Illinois Families \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Urges Families to Log On, Shop for Plans and See Real Benefits of Heath Care Law\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t Washington, D.C. \u2013 Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today the problems with Healthcare.gov, the national health insurance marketplace, have been dramatically improved and encouraged Illinois families looking for health care coverage to log-in, shop for plans and to see how they can benefit.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe launch of the national health insurance marketplace was a disaster and left Illinois families frustrated, angry and uncertain about how they\u2019ll be find affordable health coverage,\u201d Durbin said. \u201cToday, the website has been dramatically upgraded with hundreds of hardware and software fixes, increased capacity and improved efficiency. The new experience, while still not perfect, is a huge improvement. Families looking for coverage should give the site another look and find the benefits of the health care reform law.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nSince the initial launch of healthcare.gov there have been hundreds of software fixes and hardware upgrades which have vastly improved the site. The website is now operating higher capacity and efficiency with improved stability and ease of navigation.\r\n\u00a0\r\nIllinois Families Seeing Benefits of the Health Care Law \r\nDespite problems with healthcare.gov, thousands of individuals and families in Illinois are signing up and seeing the benefits of affordable care.\r\n\u00a0\r\nMr. K \u2013 Mr. K, married with two children, has been unemployed for over two-years. His wife, who is self-employed, insured their family through the COBRA plan costing them $1,700 a month. Mr. K reached out to health care navigators and found that his family qualified for Medicaid. With his family now enrolled, they are saving thousands of dollars a year in health care costs\r\n\u00a0\r\nJessica \u2013 Jessica is a 27 year old musician and teacher and was able to sign up for a heath care plan using healthcare.gov. Jessica had a plan which expired and used the national marketplace to find a plan with better coverage at a lower price. Under her new plan, she\u2019ll save over $600 a year and no longer face discrimination for pre-existing conditions or increased costs simply for being a woman. There is no annual dollar limits on benefits or dropping folks when they get sick.\u00a0 Her policy now is guaranteed to include mental health, prescription drug, and maternity coverage, which many policies lacked before.\r\n\u00a0\r\nDavid F. \u2013 David is a contract employee who was previously only able to have coverage through a group plan. Looking for individual coverage, David logged into healthcare.gov and had purchased a new plan within an hour. His new plan covers a previous condition and is more affordable than his previous group coverage.\r\n\u00a0\r\nImportant Information for Illinois Families\r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nIndividuals and families in Illinois have until December 23 to sign up for coverage for January 1, 2014 and until March 31st to get coverage in 2014.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nIndividuals and families should visit Healthcare.gov at Off-Peak Hours. Mornings. Evenings. Weekends. \r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nHave your information ready. This includes Social Security Numbers, employer and income information and policy numbers for your current coverage if you have it.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nFind Local Support in Illinois. Visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov.\r\n \r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\nIf You Need Help \u2013 Make Sure you Call. Representatives are available to help using our call center: 1-800-318-2596.\r\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lawmakers-make-bipartisan-call-for-strong-protections-following-gao", "Lawmakers Make Bipartisan Call for Strong Protections Following GAO Report of Sexual Abuse at Immigration Detention Facilities", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Following a GAO report released last week, a bipartisan group of Members of Congress have called on the Obama Administration to put strong regulations in place to prevent sexual abuse and assault against immigrants in federal custody. In a letter to President Barack Obama, the legislators called on the administration to issue the regulations without further delay in order to achieve the goals of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003.\nThe government has a moral responsibility to ensure the safety of any person under its charge, said Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), who led the push for the GAO's investigation with 29 Members of Congress last year. The pervasive and systematic abuse of detainees held in immigration detention facilities, essentially at the hands of the government, is unconscionable. This urgent matter must be addressed quickly and at the highest possible level.\nThe GAO investigation identified problems at facilities around the country, questioned the adequacy of investigations into allegations of sexual assault and abuse, and supports the lawmakers' recommendation to the President that a single, uniform standard be adopted to protect all immigration detainees around the country from falling victim to sexual assault and abuse:\n The 10 facilities visited by the GAO revealed a troubling disconnect within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its operations across the country as the agency's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters was never informed by field offices of 40% of the sexual abuse allegations.\n\t\t\n\tThe review details how the absence of a uniform federal standard to address sexual abuse and assault has led to a patchwork of practices in use across ICE's approximately 250 immigration detention facilities. The review noted that because of this patchwork of practices, ICE could not reliably identify which practice applied to which of its various facilities.\n The letter can be viewed by clicking here. In addition to Rep. Quigley, it was signed by Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee; Trey Gowdy (R-SC), Chairman of the House Judiciary Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee; Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), former Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee; Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Frank Wolf (R-VA), Robert Bobby Scott (D-VA), Howard Coble (R-NC), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Jared Polis (D-CO) and Ted Poe (R-TX).\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301092907/http://schneider.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-schneider-highlights-local-program-connecting-veterans-with", "Rep. Schneider Highlights Local Program Connecting Veterans with Manufacturers", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10)\u00a0joined a group of eight veterans on a tour\u00a0of Des Plaines-based\u00a0manufacturer Iverson and Co. today to see firsthand how a\u00a0local veterans program is working to boost manufacturing and connect veterans with potential employers. The Veterans Rapid Employment Initiative is a program designed to help recently-discharged veterans start careers in the manufacturing industry.\n\"The growing skills gap we see in our workforce threatens our ability to compete and for too many of our veterans, they're coming home to too many obstacles to good jobs and quality career opportunities,\"\u00a0Schneider said. \"Expanding our manufacturing base is critical to growing our economy and helping\u00a0our\u00a0veterans start careers in manufacturing is a winning strategy for everyone.\u00a0I am thrilled about the many new opportunities this local initiative can\u00a0create to get our veterans back to work and provide our\u00a0manufacturers\u00a0with much-needed skilled workers.\u201d\nA member of the House Small Business Committee, Schneider is a champion of workforce development and expanding economic opportunity. Last week, Schneider introduced the LEARN Act to expand On-the-Job training programs.\u00a0In February, Schneider introduced the AMERICA Works Act to close the skills gap by bringing educators and industry leaders together to provide our workforce with in-demand skill sets.\u00a0He also hosted a jobs fair in August with a special component specifically for veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301120925/http://bustos.house.gov/press-and-media/press-releases/congresswoman-cheri-bustos-calls-on-budget-conference-committee-to", "Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Calls On Budget Conference Committee To Protect Social Security & Medicare", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced that she called on the Budget Conference Committee to protect Social Security and Medicare in the event that a budget deal is reached next month.\u00a0 In a letter Bustos sent to the co-chairs of the House and Senate Budget Conference Committee \u00a0- Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Paul Ryan \u2013 she urged \u201csupport of policies that prioritize America\u2019s seniors.\u201d\u00a0 Bustos also requested the \u201cconference to reject policy reforms that place Medicare and Social Security benefits on the chopping block\". Bustos has been a champion for Illinois seniors and has fought against attempts to cut Social Security benefits and to end Medicare as we know it by turning it over to private insurance companies.\u00a0 Last month, \u00a0Bustos joined with Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02) to ensure that Medicare open enrollment was not affected by the recent reckless and irresponsible government shutdown.\u00a0 In a joint letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Marilyn Tavenner, Bustos and Loebsack urged her to make sure that any shutdown related delays or problems surrounding Medicare open enrollment are swiftly addressed.\u00a0 A copy of the Bustos-Loebsack letter can be found HERE.\u00a0 In September, Bustos\u2019 wrote a joint op-ed with Max Richtman, the President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.\u00a0 In the op-ed Bustos and Richtman discussed their recent telephone town hall with Illinois seniors on the importance of protecting Medicare and Social Security.\u00a0 The op-ed can be found HERE. \u00a0\u00a0 In August, Bustos was honored by the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans for her strong support for both Medicare and Social Security and her opposition to switching to a so-called \u201cchained CPI\u201d system in calculating Social Security benefits.\u00a0 In March, Bustos held a telephone town hall with Congressman Chris Van Hollen from Maryland, the highest ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, to discuss the disastrous Ryan Budget that would end Medicare as we know it.\nThe complete text of the letter that Bustos and her colleagues sent is below and HERE.\nNovember 20, 2013\nThe Honorable Patty Murray  \n\tCo-Chair  \n\tConference Committee on the FY 2014 Budget  \n\t154 Russell Senate Office Building  \n\tWashington, D.C. 20510\nThe Honorable Paul Ryan  \n\tCo-Chair  \n\tConference Committee on the FY 2014 Budget  \n\t1233 Longworth House Office Building  \n\tWashington D.C. 20515\nDear Senator Murray and Representative Ryan,\nAs you work with your colleagues on the conference committee for the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget, we urge you to support policies that prioritize America\u2019s seniors and the benefits that they have earned over a lifetime of hard work. While we understand that you and your fellow conferees will have to make difficult decisions to find common ground, we believe that any compromise the conference produces must protect Medicare and Social Security for current and future generations.\nIn the aftermath of the disgraceful and avoidable government shutdown, you have an opportunity to develop a bipartisan budget that reduces our debt and deficit in a responsible manner. To make good on this opportunity, the conference must reject policy reforms that place Medicare and Social Security benefits on the chopping block. Too often, we hear of proposals to drastically slash benefits provided through these critical programs. These proposals are presented under the guise of fiscal responsibility, but would jeopardize the livelihood and health of the millions of seniors who depend on  \n\tSocial Security and Medicare.\nWhat the conference committee does in the coming weeks will shape the outcome of the FY 2014 budget process. Now is the time to send a clear message to the American people: While arriving at a solution to a budget impasse does require difficult choices, it does not require Americans to surrender their hard-earned benefits.\nMedicare and Social Security are central to the health and retirement security of our nation\u2019s seniors. Millions of Americans who have paid into these systems are counting on these investments to be there for them. That is why we urge you and your fellow conferees to support a responsible conference agreement that protects these bedrock promises we have made to our seniors.\nWe thank you for your attention to this matter. We hope and expect that your deliberations will be successful.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-president-issues-major-disaster-declaration-for-state-of-illinois", "Durbin: President Issues Major Disaster Declaration for State of Illinois", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.26.13\n\t\t\t Durbin: President Issues Major Disaster Declaration for State of Illinois \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, DC]  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that President Obama has made a major disaster declaration for the State of Illinois triggering the release of federal funds to help communities recover from November 17, 2013 severe storms, high winds and tornadoes that ravaged areas in Central and Southern Illinois leaving local governments, charitable organizations, voluntary agencies and evacuees taking on the initial costs of the damage. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals and businesses in the counties of Champaign, Douglas, Fayette, Grundy, Jasper, La Salle, Massac, Pope, Tazewell, Vermilion, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, Will, and Woodford.\r\n\r\nThe tornado damage that I saw firsthand last week was some of the worst I have ever seen, said Durbin. It will take months and in many cases, years, to rebuild, but I hope today's decision by President Obama will give families in Central and Southern Illinois some relief this holiday season knowing that federal help is on the way. I am pleased this disaster declaration has come so quickly.\r\n\r\nYesterday, Durbin joined U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation in requesting that President Obama issue a major disaster declaration for the State of Illinois and to provide relief to fifteen Central and Southern Illinois counties. On Friday, Durbin joined Washington Mayor Gary Manier, Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Jonathon Monken, and the Illinois State Police on a visit to Washington, Illinois to talk with storm victims, receive an update on recovery efforts, and tour the affected areas. Photos are available here.\r\n\r\nIndividuals and businesses in these counties are now eligible for federal Individual Assistance funding which provides financial assistance to help with temporary housing, home repairs or replacement and other disaster-related expenses. Additionally, all Illinois counties have been designated for Hazard Mitigation Assistance areas which include funding for measures designed to reduce future losses to public and private property.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=45099caa-d4ef-4648-80cb-c24823769f1f", "Durbin: President Issues Major Disaster Declaration for State of Illinois", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.26.13\n\t\t\t Durbin: President Issues Major Disaster Declaration for State of Illinois \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t[WASHINGTON, DC] \u2013 U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that President Obama has made a major disaster declaration for the State of Illinois triggering the release of federal funds to help communities recover from November 17, 2013 severe storms, high winds and tornadoes that ravaged areas in Central and Southern Illinois leaving local governments, charitable organizations, voluntary agencies and evacuees taking on the initial costs of the damage. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals and businesses in the counties of Champaign, Douglas, Fayette, Grundy, Jasper, La Salle, Massac, Pope, Tazewell, Vermilion, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, Will, and Woodford.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\u201cThe tornado damage that I saw firsthand last week was some of the worst I have ever seen,\u201d said Durbin. \u201cIt will take months and in many cases, years, to rebuild, but I hope today\u2019s decision by President Obama will give families in Central and Southern Illinois some relief this holiday season knowing that federal help is on the way.\u00a0 I am pleased this disaster declaration has come so quickly.\u201d\r\n\r\nYesterday, Durbin joined U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation in requesting that President Obama issue a major disaster declaration for the State of Illinois and to provide relief to fifteen Central and Southern Illinois counties.\u00a0 On Friday, Durbin joined Washington Mayor Gary Manier, Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Jonathon Monken, and the Illinois State Police on a visit to Washington, Illinois to talk with storm victims, receive an update on recovery efforts, and tour the affected areas. Photos are available here.\r\n\r\nIndividuals and businesses in these counties are now eligible for federal Individual Assistance funding which provides financial assistance to help with temporary housing, home repairs or replacement and other disaster-related expenses.\u00a0 Additionally, all Illinois counties have been designated for Hazard Mitigation Assistance areas which include funding for measures designed to reduce future losses to public and private property.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/audio-foster-veterans-advocates-discuss-gi-education-benefits-fairness", "AUDIO: Foster, Veterans Advocates Discuss GI Education Benefits Fairness Act", "2013-11-25", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bill Foster", "F000454", "foster.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2014 Today Congressman Bill Foster and veterans advocates held a press conference call to discuss the GI Education Benefits Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation to support military families by extending GI education benefits to the wards and foster children of our soldiers.\nRep. Foster introduced the legislation Friday, along with Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05).\nAudio of the call is available here.\nMore information on the legislation is available here.\nRep. Foster was joined on the call by Sergeant First Class Angela Dees.\u00a0 Dees, a Joliet native, is a training developer for the US Army Aviation School at Fort Eustis in Virginia.\u00a0\nThe idea for the legislation came when Angela contacted Rep. Foster\u2019s office after her son Christopher Webb, a legal ward, was approved for GI benefits, then later told they would be revoked.\u00a0\n\u201cChildren of the men and women who serve honorably shouldn\u2019t be denied the benefits they were promised because of a bureaucratic oversight,\u201d said Foster.\u00a0 \u201cThese servicemen and women have honored the promise they made to serve our country, we need to honor the promises we make to them.\u201d\n\u201cAll I can do is hope that Congress will see what an injustice this is to these poor kids, support Congressman Foster\u2019s bill and take action to fix it. This is not Christopher\u2019s fault or any of the other kids in this situation.\u00a0 He trusted me, and I trusted that he would be taken care of,\u201d said Dees.\n\u201cI had straight As, I graduated third in my class and I had no other funding available \u2013 I didn\u2019t think that I would need it.\u00a0 So for that to be taken away after I was already in school is heartbreaking.\u00a0 I think this legislation is very important, not only to me, but to hundreds of other kids that have been or will be affected,\u201d said Webb.\u00a0\n\u201cWe know that the GI Bill and the ability to transfer those benefits has been so important to so many military families, and did not want families such as Sergeant First Class Dees to be left out of that important benefit.\u00a0 We recognize that military families take all shapes and sizes and that all military kids need and deserve a quality education, and that includes a college education.\u00a0 We are very much in favor of the ability of service members who have done so much for their country to be able to transfer those valuable benefits to their spouses and to their kids,\u201d said Eileen Huck, National Military Family Association.\n\u201cOn behalf of MOAA (Military Officers Association of America), I would like to express our support for Representative Foster\u2019s bipartisan bill, the GI Education Benefits Fairness Act\u2026 Representative Foster\u2019s bill would fix the discrepancy between the DOD\u2019s definition of a child and the VA\u2019s definition of a child, which we believe is a fair and reasonable solution to this erroneous oversight in the law,\u201d said Karen Golden, Military Officers Association of America.\n\u201cI am glad that this bill has come forward with bipartisan support and is essentially a no-brainer in fixing this part of the law,\u201d said Jacob Zimmerman, Superintendent, Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-joins-cooking-matters-in-support-of-snap-and-nutrition-education", "Quigley Joins Cooking Matters in Support of SNAP and Nutrition Education", "2013-11-25", "2013", "2013-11", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CHICAGO  Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) joined local families for an interactive Cooking Matters grocery store tour to see first-hand how nutrition education helps families stretch their federal nutrition benefits and cook healthy, nutritious meals. During the tour, hosted by EverThrive Illinois, Rep. Quigley completed a $10 Challenge using smart shopping skills to purchase ingredients for a healthy meal for a family of four for less than $10.\nThe largest cuts in the history of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) went into effect on November 1st. The reductions total $5 billion and will impact more than 47 million lower-income people (1 in 7 Americans), most of whom live in households with children, seniors or people with disabilities. Specifically in Illinois, nearly half of all SNAP recipients are children.\nWith SNAP cuts forcing those in need to do more with less, EverThrive and Cooking Matters are empowering families with the skills they need to stretch their budgets and provide healthy meals for their loved ones, said Rep. Quigley. In Congress, I will continue fighting for these families and oppose further SNAP cuts because when millions struggle to put food on the table, we should be strengthening the safety net, not cutting larger holes in it.  \n\t\nRep. Quigley examines the nutritional value of packaged items with Cooking Matters Coordinator Lilah Handler.\nEach and every Cooking Matters class that we hold has a tangible impact, not only for the participants, but for their families and communities as well, explained Lilah Handler, EverThrive Illinois' Cooking Matters Coordinator. Together with our volunteers, we hope to see a brighter, healthier future for Chicago families who are often faced with hunger.  \n\t\nRep. Quigley reviews a participant's cart at the end of the Cooking Matters tour.\nRep. Quigley pictured with Cooking Matters tour guides and participants.\nRep. Quigley strongly opposed recent efforts in the House of Representatives to slash SNAP by $40 billion, which would deny meals to nearly four million Americans next year alone. During the holiday season, he volunteers at Lakeview Pantry and the Chicago Food Depository to gain perspectives from families that rely on their SNAP benefits to make ends meet.\nEverThrive Illinois partners with Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign to offer Cooking Matters cooking courses and grocery store tours to low-income families in Illinois. The program is taught by volunteer chefs and nutrition educators.\nILLINOIS SNAP BENEFITS AT A GLANCE:\n 22 percent of children live with the threat of hunger\n\t46 percent of SNAP recipients are children\n\t821,000 children in the state rely on SNAP benefits for their basic nutrition\n NUTRITION EDUCATION AT A GLANCE:\n 85 percent of low-income families rate healthy eating as important, 8 in 10 cook 5+ nights of the week.\n\tFamilies who use smart shopping and healthy cooking skills can save around $46,000 in lifetime healthcare costs and wages lost to sick days.\n\tAn outside study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that Cooking Matters improves participants' food choices, eating habits, cooking skills and food budgeting and shopping practices in the short- and longer terms.\n Hi-res photos available upon request.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 940, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "IL", "p2": "2013"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 940, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=IL&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 940, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL&year=2013&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "IL", "label": "IL", "count": 940, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "2013", "label": "2013", "count": 940, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2013-11-25,https~3A~2F~2Fquigley~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fquigley-joins-cooking-matters-in-support-of-snap-and-nutrition-education", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL&year=2013&_next=2013-11-25%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fquigley~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fquigley-joins-cooking-matters-in-support-of-snap-and-nutrition-education&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 360.3333970531821, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}