Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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940 rows where party = "Democrat", state = "IL" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| 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’ Pensions | 2013-12-20 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | IL | Bill Foster | F000454 | foster.house.gov | legacy | Aurora, IL – 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. The repeal would be paid for by closing tax loopholes for corporations that set up headquarters in other countries to avoid paying US taxes. “I 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,” said Foster. “However, 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.” More 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 | legacy | 12.20.13 Durbin Asks IRS to Issue Rule Limiting What Hospitals Can Charge Poor, Uninsured for Care Washington, 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. Three 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. The 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. A copy of the letter is pasted below and attached. December 20, 2013 Daniel I. Werfel Acting Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20224-0002 Dear Commissioner Werfel: I urge you to complete the rulemaking process for section 9007 of the Affordable Care Act restricting what hospitals can … | 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 | legacy | 12.20.13 Senators Urge Swift Review of FDA Rule to Regulare the Manufacturing, Sale, and Marketing of E-Cigarettes Proposed rule could also help combat flavored cigars and other tobacco products that target kids and young adults [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. The 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. The 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. Unlike 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 … | 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 | legacy | 12.20.13 Durbin Asks IRS to Issue Rule Limiting What Hospitals Can Charge Poor, Uninsured for Care Washington, 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. “Three 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.” The 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. A copy of the letter is pasted below and attached. December 20, 2013 Daniel I. Werfel Acting Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20224-0002 Dear Commissioner Werfel: I urge you to complete the rulemaking process for section 9007 of the Affordable Care Act restricting w… | 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 “Hour of Code” To Highlight Computer Science Education In Bolingbrook | 2013-12-19 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | IL | Bill Foster | F000454 | foster.house.gov | legacy | Joliet, IL — Today, Congressman Bill Foster visited BJ Ward Elementary School in Bolingbrook to participate in an “Hour of Code” event and talk about the importance of computer science education. “As a scientist and businessman who built a career using computer programing, it’s wonderful to see students learning these important skills,” said Foster. “Watching kids learn to code is an important reminder that any child can succeed if given the tools and training. Learning computer science skills is essential for success in today’s economy and should be a core part of our children’s education.” Rep. 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. Foster also explained the importance of computer code in scientific research. 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. Foster worked at Fermilab for 23 years. Congressman 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. The Hour of Code is a nationwide event sponsored by Code.org, encouraging students to learn more about computer science education. More information is available here. "The kids were making amazing progress. 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. Anyone 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 | legacy | U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) announced his support for the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013, which was introduced today by 26 Senators, including Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and would implement new sanctions on Iran if the regime breaks the terms of the interim agreement or fails to reach a final agreement. “As the Administration continues to explore a diplomatic solution, we need to send a clear, strong message to Iran that the United States is fully committed to implementing additional, punishing economic sanctions if Iran fails to abide by the Joint Plan of Action or refuses to reach a final agreement to permanently end its nuclear weapons programs,” Schneider said. “This bill reinforces and builds on the core architecture of the sanctions regime that was successful in bringing Iran to the negotiating table. The goal of sanctions and the consequential negotiations remains reversing and dismantling Iran's nuclear weapons capabilities. Iran must come to the table understanding that negotiations leading to an end to its nuclear program is the one and only path to sanctions relief.” The Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act expands the breadth and depth of the sanctions architecture, extending the reach to companies, 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. Schneider, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is a leader in the effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He helped coauthor and pass new, broader sanctions legislation in the House in July, and in October, he sent a letter, signed by 77 of his colleagues, urging the Obama Administration to authorize additional sanctions on Iran. Earlier this month, The Israel Qualitative Military Edge Enhancement Act, introduced by Schneider and Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), to help strengthen Israel’s defense systems against threats like a n… | 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 | legacy | During her first year in office, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos has fought hard for the priorities that matter most to the people of Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. She’s 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. She’s also made a concrete effort to work with both Democrats and Republicans on common sense solutions to our nation’s debt and deficit issues that put working families first. As 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: Bustos Fighting for Illinois Jobs and Economy During her first year in office, Congresswoman Bustos has made fighting for American jobs and manufacturing a top priority. As part of the House Democrats’ “Make it in America” 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. In April, Bustos toured the seven community colleges that serve the region to meet with students, faculty, administrators, and businesspeople. 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. Bustos has also launched “Partnering for Illinois’ Economic Future,” to help increase collaboration to create jobs and bolster the region’s economy. 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’s also solicited the public through a variety of ways to get input on how t… | 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 | legacy | 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. “This 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.” “Earlier 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.” In 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 … | 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 | 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 | 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 | legacy | 12.19.13 Durbin And Kirk Support Argonne Proposal To Help Mass Transit Systems Handle Emergency Events [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. The 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. The full text of the Senators' letter is below: December 18, 2013 The Honorable Anthony Foxx U.S. Secretary of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue Washington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary Foxx, As 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… | 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 | legacy | 12.19.13 Durbin, Bustos Applaud New Task Force to Fight Violent Crime in Winnebago County [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. This 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. Earlier 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. In 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 la… | 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 | legacy | 12.19.13 Durbin Discusses Priorities for Creating Jobs and Growing America's Middle Class [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. This 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. And 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. Earlier 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 l… | 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 | legacy | 12.19.13 Durbin, Kirk, Delegation Call on President to Provide Federal Public Assistance for Southern and Central Illinois Counties [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. The 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. "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." Today, 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. Members signing on to today's letter include Representatives Cheri Bustos (… | 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 | legacy | 12.19.13 Durbin, Reed, Warren: Student Loan Debt Is Hurting America's Middle Class Senators discuss legislative agenda for 2014 to help working families better manage student loan debt and ensure basic protections for new students [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. When 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. On 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. The 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… | 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 | legacy | 12.19.13 Durbin, Bustos Applaud New Task Force to Fight Violent Crime in Winnebago County [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. “This 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.” “Earlier 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.” In 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 cooper… | 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 | legacy | 12.19.13 Durbin, Reed, Warren: Student Loan Debt Is Hurting America's Middle Class Senators discuss legislative agenda for 2014 to help working families better manage student loan debt and ensure basic protections for new students [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. “When 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.” On 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. “The 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 a… | 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 | legacy | 12.19.13 Durbin, Kirk, Delegation Call on President to Provide Federal Public Assistance for Southern and Central Illinois Counties [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. “The 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.” "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." Today, 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. Members signing on to today’s letter include Representatives Che… | 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 | legacy | 12.19.13 Durbin Discusses Priorities for Creating Jobs and Growing America's Middle Class [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. “This 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.” “And 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.” Earlier 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 s… | 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 | 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. 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. The CEA estimates that in Illinois alone, failing to extend the program will cost 13,345 jobs. 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. “Three days after Christmas, 1.3 million people will lose their emergency unemployment benefits,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky. “That is inexcusable and Congress has an obligation to ensure that millions of people can keep their modest benefits. 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.” “Unemployed Americans shouldn’t have to wait around for Congress to do the right thing and protect the most vulnerable among us,” said Rep. Mike Quigley. “Failure 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.” “I am very disappointed that Congress went home for the year without extending unemployment insurance,” said Rep. Bill Foster. “Our economy is still recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression. Now is not the time to pull this important safety net out from under thousands of Illinois res… | 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 | legacy | 12.18.13 Durbin Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators in Protesting EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard Proposal [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: I 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. Last 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. Biofuels 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. In 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… | 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 | legacy | 12.18.13 Durbin to Chair Hearing on Ongoing Syrian Refugee Crisis 2.3 Million Refugees Have Fled Civil War; Worst Refugee Crisis Since Rwanda in 1994 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. The 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. The 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. Witnesses will be announced at a later date. The hearing will be webcast at www.judiciary.senate.gov. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next 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 | legacy | 12.18.13 Durbin to Chair Hearing on Ongoing Syrian Refugee Crisis 2.3 Million Refugees Have Fled Civil War; Worst Refugee Crisis Since Rwanda in 1994 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. The 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. The 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. Witnesses will be announced at a later date. The hearing will be webcast at www.judiciary.senate.gov. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next 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 | 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. 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. The CEA estimates that in Illinois alone, failing to extend the program will cost 13,345 jobs. 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. “It'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,” said Rep. Brad Schneider. “Many 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.” “Three days after Christmas, 1.3 million people will lose their emergency unemployment benefits,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky. “That is inexcusable and Congress has an obligation to ensure that millions of people can keep their modest benefits. 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 econ… | 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 | legacy | 12.17.13 Durbin Applaud CFPB'S Call for Transparency Regarding Campus Debit Card Programs Durbin request sparked CFPB inquiry into risky campus financial products [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. Helping 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. In 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. In response to Durbin and Miller's reque… | 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 | legacy | 12.17.13 Durbin Applaud CFPB'S Call for Transparency Regarding Campus Debit Card Programs Durbin request sparked CFPB inquiry into risky campus financial products [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. “Helping 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.” In 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 and Inspector General Tighe is available here. In response to Durbin and Mill… | 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 | legacy | U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) helped introduce the Veterans Entrepreneurs Act (H.R. 3725) to reduce fees for veterans looking to open franchises. The Veterans Entrepreneurs Act creates a tax credit for veterans worth 25 percent of the total franchise fee. “Making it easier for veterans to become small business owners is a simple and effective way to help grow our economy and expand opportunities for the men and women of our armed forces,” Schneider said. “Our 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 partially relieve those costs and help put more veterans back to work.” There 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. Schneider, a member of the House Small Business Committee, hosted a veterans jobs fair in August and, through his “Brad at Your Business” 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 | 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 | legacy | 12.16.13 Durbin and Kelly Urge Centers for Disease Control to Study Threat to Public Health Posed by Pet Coke Following Visit to Communities Near Open-Air Storage Sites, Senator and Congresswoman Also Send Letter to Illinois EPA Weighing In On KCBX Permit Application [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. Today 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. Residents 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 … | 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 | GUTIÉRREZ: BIPARTISAN BUDGET DEAL RAISES HOPES FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM IN 2014 | 2013-12-13 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | IL | Luis Gutiérrez | G000535 | gutierrez.house.gov | legacy | "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." Washington, DC – This afternoon, Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) voted for the bipartisan budget deal worked out between Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Paul Ryan. The following is a statement from Rep. Gutiérrez: "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. 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. "The two Houses of Congress and the two parties can work out immigration reform in 2014 in a similar manner. It takes commitment from the leaders in both parties and it takes hard work and the willingness to compromise. I think Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi should appoint a team to lead the effort to get immigration reform across the finish line. "I am still optimistic about the prospects for immigration reform in 2014 because immigration reform is easier than the budget. There is much more consensus among voters and among Members of Congress in both parties. My informal talks with Republicans are encouraging because there is a critical mass that wants to reach a compromise. And among Democrats, there is more unity than ever before behind reform. "It will still not be easy, but the polls, the policy, and the political winds all point towards action in 2014. 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. The budget deal gives me a sense of hope that compromise and progress are still possible in Washington." # # # | 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 | legacy | Bustos Fix Would Protect Those Who Were Unable To Sign Up For Health Insurance Due To Exchange Glitches “Like folks across Illinois, I’ve been frustrated by the poor implementation of the Affordable Care Act - health care consumers truly deserve better,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “This common sense fix I introduced today would ensure people across our region of Illinois, and the country, aren’t unfairly penalized for a situation beyond their control. 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. I’ll keep fighting to do my part to make sure all Americans have access to the quality and affordable health care they deserve.” Bustos’ 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. 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. It would also protect those who were incorrectly determined to be eligible for Medicaid and prevented from enrolling though the marketplace. 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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. Bustos’ prepared remarks are below: I rise today to thank all of our brave heroes who are serving overseas and are not with their families this holiday season. While 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. My region of Illinois is home to thousands of veterans who have served honorably in both wartime and peacetime. It is also home to many active duty service members, National Guard members and Ready Reservists. I was heartened to learn recently that the Peoria, Illinois, based Army National Guard unit is expected to come home before the holidays. This will surely be an early Christmas present for many families across the region of the country I am here to serve. I look forward to helping welcome them home. All 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. They’ve been there for us, so let’s be there for them. Thank 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 | legacy | 12.13.13 Durbin Introduces Legislation to Ensure All Foreign Medical Schools are Held to Same Standards Investigation by Bloomberg Markets revealed offshore loophole that for-profit colleges have been exploiting to access additional federal funding [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. The 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. Congress 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. A September 2013 investigative report in Bloomberg Markets highlighted two forei… | 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 | legacy | 12.13.13 Durbin Introduces Legislation to Ensure All Foreign Medical Schools are Held to Same Standards Investigation by Bloomberg Markets revealed offshore loophole that for-profit colleges have been exploiting to access additional federal funding [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. The 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. “Congress 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.” A September 2013 investigative report in Bloomberg Markets highlighted… | 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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. – 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. “It is time to act,” said Foster. “How 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.” Foster 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 – a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would strengthen our borders, improve our legal immigration system and provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. H.R. 15 has been sponsored by 193 Members of Congress, including three Republicans. A 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. On 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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. – 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. “I am pleased that Congress was finally able to do its job and pass a bipartisan budget agreement. While this bill isn’t perfect, it reduces the deficit and provides relief from the drastic sequestration cuts that have hurt vital programs in the 11th District of Illinois. 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,” said Foster. “Most 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.” “While 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. 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. They failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform, leaving 11 million immigrants in limbo. They failed to pass commonsense legislation to prevent gun violence. And they failed to pass meaningful legislation to support jobs and economic growth,” added Foster. “Now that we have passed a budget, I hope that we can work together to take action on these important issues.” The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 provides a framework for funding the government for two years. 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. 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 | 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. I 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. To read the full transcript and watch video of Rep. Quigley's speech, please click here. Quigley 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. O'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. Rep. 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 U… | 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 | 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: This 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. Rep. 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. ### | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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: “As 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’s budget resolution is a step in the right direction. Compromises are rarely perfect, and this is no exception, but easing the harmful impact of sequestration on our region was critical. Our economy should also not have to suffer at the hands of another government shutdown and today’s budget will create more certainty for expected funding that impacts jobs in communities across Illinois. I’ll continue to work with both Democrats and Republicans who share my commitment to working together to find common sense solutions to our nation’s problems that place the needs of our constituents ahead of politics.” | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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). “Providing support for brave service members and their families will always be a top priority for me,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “The 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.” Specifically, the bill: Strengthens the Rock Island Arsenal- provisions protect and secure defense industrial base capacity and security, and strengthen the Procurement Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program. Better 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. Prevents a BRAC from being conducted in FY2014. Combats sexual assault in the military. Provides for quality care and support promised to our troops and their families. Supports counter-terrorism programs. Last month, Bustos traveled Illinois’ 17th District as part of her “Standing up for our Veterans” tour to meet with local veterans to listen to their priorities and concerns. 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’ homelessness. During her tenure in Congress, Bustos has made our nation’s veterans a top priority and has relentlessly fought to protect the benefits they’ve earned and deserve. 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 … | 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 | legacy | 12.12.13 Durbin Statement on Senate Resolution Encouraging Peaceful Resolution of Crisis in Ukraine [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. The 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." A copy of the Senate's resolution is attached. After 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. Last 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. Durbin visited Ukraine last year, meeting separately with both President Yanukovych and former Prime Minister Tymoshenko's daughter to disc… | 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 | legacy | Home 404 We’re 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. Thank 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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) became a cosponsor of H.R. 3546, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2013. The legislation would renew the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program for an additional year. If no action is taken, on December 28th, 1.3 million Americans, including 20,000 military veterans, will immediately lose their unemployment benefits. In 2014, 3.6 million additional people will also lose their unemployment benefits beyond 26 weeks. In Illinois, an estimated 230,500 people would lose their unemployment benefits through 2014. The legislation would effectively extend current law through 2014, providing unemployed Americans with a vital lifeline as they continue to recover from the recession. An identical bill has been introduced in the Senate. “Our economy is still recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression,” said Foster. “Now is not the time to cut off this important lifeline. 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.” Even 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. Average weekly unemployment benefits have already been dropped $42 to $256 a week due to sequestration. Not only does unemployment insurance help those struggling to find employment, it helps our economic recovery by supporting consumer demand. It’s estimated that failing to extend unemployment benefits would cost 240,000 jobs in 2014, including 13,345 jobs in Illinois. Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office and JP Morgan estimate that failure to extend benefits would lower GDP by .2 to .4 percentage points. More 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 | legacy | Couple brings community’s youth back to baseball 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’t go to the grocery store without running into an army of people they know. “We went from being unknown to everybody knowing who we are,” said Al, whose son A.J. joined Park Forest Baseball at the age of five and continues to play at age 12. “I’ll be a part of baseball till the day I take my last breath. I love the kids.” Mary Kay agrees that the couple’s involvement in baseball was life changing. “It’s in our blood and we can’t let it go,” she said. “Our 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’s so enjoyable and we’ve made such great friends. We’ll always be able to look back and have wonderful memories of our time in the league with our son.” 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’s international board of directors 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. 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. “Park Forest was known for its huge baseball tournaments for man… | 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 | legacy | Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Rep. Doug Collins’s (R-GA) legislation to increase military cooperation between the U.S. and Israel unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 399 to 0. The Israel Qualitative Military Edge Enhancement Act ensures Israel retains a strategic and tactical advantage, including the weapons necessary to protect herself from both conventional as well as cyber threats. “Our strategic partnership with and support of the democratic, Jewish State of Israel is crucial for both countries,”Schneider said. “As Israel continues to face a broad spectrum of threats, including Hizbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, increasing extremist presence in Syria and Sinai, and of greatest concern, the threat of a nuclear Iran, we must reinforce our unbreakable, strategic bond, and this bill will help Israel preserve her ability to defend herself by herself.” By increasing the frequency of the formal assessment of Israel's strategic position vis-a-vis existing and emerging threats from every four to every two years, the Israel Qualitative Military Edge Enhancement Act will better guarantee that Israel is always prepared to confront constantly evolving conventional and asymmetrical threats. The 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. As 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 and, in October, led 77 of his colleagues in urging the Obama Administration to authorize additional sanctions on Iran. In May, Schneider and Collins penned an op-ed about the need for the Israel Qualitative Military Edge Enhancement Act. To view a copy, click here. | 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 | legacy | U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) announced his support today for Congressman Paul Ryan's (R-WI) and Senator Patty Murray’s (D-WA) bipartisan budget deal. "I came to Congress to move this country forward, and the budget deal helps do just that," Schneider said. "While far from perfect, it represents a good faith effort to provide our businesses, families and communities with the stability and certainty that’s been sorely lacking from Washington. The deal isn't a solution to our biggest challenges, and it doesn’t extend critically important unemployment benefits, but it does avert another 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." The 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. Rep. 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 | legacy | 12.11.13 Durbin: Amtrak Ridership in Illinois is on the Rise Durbin meets with Amtrak Board Chairman and Board Member Tom Carper to discuss passenger rail's continued growth [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. Amtrak 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. Nationwide, 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. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next 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 | legacy | 12.11.13 Durbin Announces More Than $3.3 Million for Illinois Health Centers to Expand Healthcare Enrollment Assistance Chicago health centers to receive grants totaling nearly $1.5 million [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. Community 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. Illinois 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. Central Illinois Chestnut Health Systems (Bloomington, IL): $61,761 in funding; Comm Health Center (Springfield, IL): $71,613 in funding; Southern Illinois University (Springfield, IL): $28,675 in funding; Community Health Improvement Center (Decatur, IL): $64,375 in funding; Cass County (Virginia, IL): $29,865 in funding; Heartland Community Health Clinic (Peoria, IL): $53,168 in funding; Henderson County Rural Health Center (Oquawka… | 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 | legacy | 12.11.13 Durbin: Biofuels Critical to Achieving Energy Independence, Protecting Our Environment, and Supportin Rural Economy Senate EPW Committee holds hearing today examining EPA Renewable Fuel Standard Proposal [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. Today, 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. In 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. Print Email … | 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 | legacy | 12.11.13 Durbin Urges Transportation Department To Verify Safety of Enbridge Pipeline in Great Lakes [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. In 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. Three 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. The full text of the letter follows: December 11, 2013 The 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 Dear Administrator Quarterman: We are writing in regards to PHMSA's recent approval of hydrostatic testing along Enbridge Energy Partners' Line 5 pipeline. As you know, Enbridge … | 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 | legacy | 12.11.13 Durbin, Warren, Boxer, Reed Introduce Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights Legislation Will Reform Disclosure and Servicing Standards for Both Federal and Private Student Loans [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. Student 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. Our 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. Student 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. If we're going to m… | 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 | legacy | 12.11.13 Durbin, Warren, Boxer, Reed Introduce Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights Legislation Will Reform Disclosure and Servicing Standards for Both Federal and Private Student Loans [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. “Student 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.” “Our 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. “Student 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.” “If … | 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 | legacy | 12.11.13 Durbin: Biofuels Critical to Achieving Energy Independence, Protecting Our Environment, and Supportin Rural Economy Senate EPW Committee holds hearing today examining EPA Renewable Fuel Standard Proposal [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. “Today, 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.” In 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. Print Email … | 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 | legacy | 12.11.13 Durbin: Amtrak Ridership in Illinois is on the Rise Durbin meets with Amtrak Board Chairman and Board Member Tom Carper to discuss passenger rail’s continued growth [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. “Amtrak 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.” Nationwide, 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. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next 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 | legacy | 12.11.13 Durbin Announces More Than $3.3 Million for Illinois Health Centers to Expand Healthcare Enrollment Assistance Chicago health centers to receive grants totaling nearly $1.5 million [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. “Community 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.” Illinois 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. Central Illinois Chestnut Health Systems (Bloomington, IL): $61,761 in funding; Comm Health Center (Springfield, IL): $71,613 in funding; Southern Illinois University (Springfield, IL): $28,675 in funding; Community Health Improvement Center (Decatur, IL): $64,375 in funding; Cass County (Virginia, IL): $29,865 in funding; Heartland Community Health Clinic (Peoria, IL): $53,168 in funding; Henderson County Rural Health Cente… | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON –– Today, U. S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) re-introduced "The African Investment and Diaspora Act of 2011" (AIDA), a bill that’s designed to further strengthen the trade relationship between the United States and Africa. "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). "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. This legislation seeks to further expand the opportunities for mutual trade and investment between our nation and the people of Africa. 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. 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’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Ebrahim Rasool. In response to today’s 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’s leading civil rights leaders. This bill is an impo… | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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. Duroweld, a full service metal fabricator with nine employees, is currently using the On-the-Job training program to train an employee in advanced welding skills. Last month, Schneider introduced the bipartisan LEARN Act, which expands the On-the-Job Training programs that have proven to be effective at helping to train and retrain Americans who 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 | 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 | 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 | legacy | New Silent Skies Act will help mitigate impact of increased O'Hare traffic WASHINGTON 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. The 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. Chicago'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. In 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. In 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. Chicago 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 … | 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 | legacy | Main Menu Home About Dick Durbin Illinois Info Center Constituent Services Issues and Legislation Legislative Agenda Press Office … | 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 | legacy | 12.06.13 Durbin Discusses New Law Protecting School Children with Allergies Senator's Legislation Expands Access to Emergency Epinephrine Auto-Injectors in Schools [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. For 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. Seven 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. Nearly six… | 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 | legacy | 12.06.13 IL-IA Members of Congress Urge Committee to Protect Provisions Promoting Public-Private Partnerships for Water Infrastructure Program Could Benefit Modernization of Locks and Dams on Mississippi and Illinois Rivers [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. The 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. 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, 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). In March 2013, Durbin, Kirk, Bustos and Davis … | 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 | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) released the following statement on today’s votes on patent abuses: “Today I voted against patent abuse and to protect the rights of small business and inventors. Abusive patents have been an increasing problem, placing an unsustainable burden on job creators and innovators. “To 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. 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. “I voted against H.R. 3309, the so-called ‘Innovation Act’ because it is so broad it harms new inventors and hampers innovation. The measure includes an overly onerous fee shifting mechanism that I believe will hurt small inventors. As a ‘garage inventor’ myself, who turned an invention into a multi-million dollar company, I know firsthand how important patent rights are to small businesses and inventors. As a nation, we want to encourage small startups, not block their growth.” “I 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.” More information on the Conyers/Watt Deceptive Patent Practices Reduction Act, a substitute to H.R. 3309 is available here. Foster 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. Foster is a scientist and businessman who started his own business at age 19. 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 | GUTIÉRREZ JOINS LETTER TO PRESIDENT CALLING FOR PAUSE IN DEPORTATIONS | 2013-12-05 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | IL | Luis Gutiérrez | G000535 | gutierrez.house.gov | legacy | "If your child has received DACA, you should not be deported. 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. Gutiérrez Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) joined Rep. Raúl 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. 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). Rep. Gutiérrez 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." Rep. Gutiérrez 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. The Senate bill has been endorsed by the President. Rep. Gutiérrez is the Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a Member of the Judiciary Committee and the Immigration Subcommittee. The following is the text of the Congressman's remarks (as prepared for delivery): Press Conference Remarks December 5, 2013 I want to thank Raúl 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. Thank you. And I have already heard from reporters: 'Hey, Gutiérrez, does this mean immigration reform in Congress is dead?' My answer is 'No.' We must fight for immigration reform and fight to stop the deportation of those we want to legaliz… | 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 | 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: The 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. ### | 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 | legacy | Main Menu Home About Dick Durbin Illinois Info Center Constituent Services Issues and Legislation Legislative Agenda Press Office … | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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’t act. More info on the Jobs for Heroes Act can be found HERE. Bustos’ prepared remarks are below: I 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. It is called the Jobs for Heroes Act. Good for vets. Good for the economy. It would extend and expand two tax credits for businesses that prioritize hiring veterans. Both of these tax credits are set to expire at the end of the month without Congressional action. The time to act is now. Last month, I traveled to all corners of my district to meet with local veterans to listen to their priorities and concerns. Along with cutting down on the shamefully long VA claims backlog, making sure veterans have access to good-paying jobs came up everywhere I went. Legislation to help prioritize the hiring of veterans is especially crucial due to the high unemployment rate among young veterans. Veterans 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. Shameful! I 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. Thank 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 | 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 | legacy | 12.05.13 Durbin Asks Metra to Clarify Position on New Safety System [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. Meeting 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. I 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. Following 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. Calls 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 … | 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 | legacy | 12.05.13 Durbin Visits Carl Sandburg Community College to Discuss Closing "Skills Gap" Senator Discusses Bill To Increase Technical Training, Business Partnerships at Community Colleges [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. When 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. Durbin'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… | 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 | legacy | 12.05.13 Durbin Visits Macomb Transit Facility Senator Secured $5.6 Million in Federal Funding in Support of the Facility's Construction [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. The 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. The 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. Building 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. … | 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 | legacy | 12.05.13 Durbin Visits Macomb Transit Facility Senator Secured $5.6 Million in Federal Funding in Support of the Facility's Construction [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. “The 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.” The 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. Building 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. … | 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 | legacy | 12.05.13 Durbin Asks Metra to Clarify Position on New Safety System [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. “Meeting 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. “I 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.” Following 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. Calls 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 … | 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 Gutiérrez | G000535 | gutierrez.house.gov | legacy | Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez Remarks at E Pluribus Unum Prizes Ceremony Hosted by the Migration Policy Institute Mayflower Hotel, Washington DC December 4, 2013 The 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. This year's event was held at the Mayflower Hotel on December 4, 2013 and Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) delivered the keynote address. The following is the text, as prepared for delivery: Thank you to Margie McHugh and the team at MPI for inviting me to be a part of today's ceremony. And congratulations to all of the recipients. Your recognition, and the injection of some much needed money, means you are leading the way. The E-Pluribus-Unum awards program and the thinking behind it is something I strongly support. And just the phrase E-Pluribus-Unum is evocative of the founding principles of our nation. Out of many, one. 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. 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. "We hold these truths to be self-evident," meaning we can all agree on it as a common starting point for the work ahead. 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. 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. 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… | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, with input from her recent “Standing up for our Veterans” tour across Illinois’ 17th District, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) spearheaded a new effort to create jobs for our nation’s veterans. 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. If Congress fails to act the federal tax credits will expire at the end of December. “Our brave veterans deserve our full support and that starts with making sure they have access to good-paying jobs when they return home,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “The unemployment rate for our veterans remains far too high. 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.” After hearing firsthand from our veterans last month about a variety of concerns, Bustos was urged to tackle the high unemployment rate among young veterans. 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. “I’m leading this new effort to help connect veterans to jobs and economic opportunity in their communities,” Bustos continued. “It 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.” The Jobs for Heroes Act would: 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. Currently, the tax credit it only available to businesses that hire certain veterans with economic or physical difficulties. Extend and expand the Employer Wage Credit (EWC) to make the tax credit permanent and available to all businesses, both large… | 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. GUTIÉRREZ: HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IS "BLOVIATING, NOT LEGISLATING" | 2013-12-03 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | IL | Luis Gutiérrez | G000535 | gutierrez.house.gov | legacy | "Here in the Judiciary Committee we are running out the clock on 2013 and trying to score cheap political points." Washington, DC – Today, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on "The President’s Constitutional Duty to Faithfully Execute the Laws" (live webcast), but has not acted in a substantive way to address immigration reform. Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (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. As for the topic of the hearing, Congressman Gutiérrez 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." The following are the Congressman's remarks from the hearing as prepared for delivery. Also appended is an op-ed on immigration reform, "Immigration: You Cannot Do Nothing," which appeared in today's edition of The Hill newspaper. REMARKS - JUDICIARY COMMITTEE December 3, 2013 [As Prepared for Delivery] Once again we are bloviating and not legislating in this Committee. 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. 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. For example, Speaker Boehner, Majority Whip McCarthy, and many other Republicans have said we do not have time to address immigration reform this year. And yet, here in the Judiciary Committee we are running out the clock on 2013 and trying to score cheap political points. Can anyone recall the last time we had a substantive immigra… | 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 | legacy | Congresswoman Kelly Votes to Uphold Ban on Undetectable Firearms WASHINGTON, DC – 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. H.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. “When 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,” Rep. Kelly said. “I 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.” In addition to voting on H.R. 3626, Congresswoman Kelly has introduced three common sense gun bills this Congress: · 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 “consumer product” in order to permit the issuance of safety standards for guns by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. · 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. · H.R. 2648, The Keeping Guns From High-Risk Individuals Act prohibits the sale or transfer of guns to “high risk” individuals, including those who have been convicted of violent crimes, crimes involving drugs or alcohol or domestic violence. ### | 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 | 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: Ukrainian 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. Rep. 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. ### | 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 | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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. 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. 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’ 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 | legacy | 12.03.13 Durbin Introduces Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights Legislation Will Reform Disclosure and Servicing Standards for Both Federal and Private Student Loans [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. Student 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. A 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 u… | 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 | legacy | 12.03.13 Durbin Statement on the CFPB's Announcement It Will Begin Overseeing Nonbank Student Loan Servicers [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: Today'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. The 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. Under 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. Print Email Tweet … | 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 | legacy | 12.03.13 Durbin Tours Gifford Tornado Damage Senator Urges Storm Victims to Register For Federal Disaster Assistance [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. The 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. Last 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. Durbin 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. Anyone 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… | 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 | legacy | 12.03.13 Durbin Statement on the CFPB's Announcement It Will Begin Overseeing Nonbank Student Loan Servicers [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: “Today’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.” The 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. Under 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. Print Email … | 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 | legacy | 12.03.13 Durbin Tours Gifford Tornado Damage Senator Urges Storm Victims to Register For Federal Disaster Assistance [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. “The 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.” Last 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. Durbin 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. Anyone 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… | 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 | legacy | 12.03.13 Durbin Introduces Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights Legislation Will Reform Disclosure and Servicing Standards for Both Federal and Private Student Loans [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. “Student 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.” A 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 … | 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 | legacy | Main Menu Home About Dick Durbin Illinois Info Center Constituent Services Issues and Legislation Legislative Agenda Press Office … | 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 | legacy | 12.02.13 Durbin: Healthcare.gov Working Better for Illinois Families Urges Families to Log On, Shop for Plans and See Real Benefits of Heath Care Law 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. The 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. Since 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. Illinois Families Seeing Benefits of the Health Care Law Despite problems with healthcare.gov, thousands of individuals and families in Illinois are signing up and seeing the benefits of affordable care. Mr. 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 Jessica Jessica is a 27 year old musician and teacher and was able to sign up for a heath care plan using healthcare.gov.… | 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 | legacy | 12.02.13 Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Decision Not to Consider Online Sales Tax Collection Case [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. This 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. The 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. The bill cur… | 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 | legacy | 12.02.13 Durbin Statement on Supreme Court Decision Not to Consider Online Sales Tax Collection Case [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. “This 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.” The 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. … | 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 | legacy | 12.02.13 Durbin: Healthcare.gov Working Better for Illinois Families Urges Families to Log On, Shop for Plans and See Real Benefits of Heath Care Law 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. “The 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.” Since 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. Illinois Families Seeing Benefits of the Health Care Law Despite problems with healthcare.gov, thousands of individuals and families in Illinois are signing up and seeing the benefits of affordable care. Mr. 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 Jessica – Jessica is a 27 year old musician and teacher and was able to sign up for a heath care plan using hea… | 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 | 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. The 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. The 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: 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. The 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. The letter can be viewed by clicking here. In addition to Rep. Quigley, it was signed by Reps. Zo… | 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 | legacy | U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) joined a group of eight veterans on a tour of Des Plaines-based manufacturer Iverson and Co. today to see firsthand how a local 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. "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," Schneider said. "Expanding our manufacturing base is critical to growing our economy and helping our veterans start careers in manufacturing is a winning strategy for everyone. I am thrilled about the many new opportunities this local initiative can create to get our veterans back to work and provide our manufacturers with much-needed skilled workers.” A 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. In 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. He 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 | 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. In a letter Bustos sent to the co-chairs of the House and Senate Budget Conference Committee - Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Paul Ryan – she urged “support of policies that prioritize America’s seniors.” Bustos also requested the “conference 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. Last month, Bustos joined with Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02) to ensure that Medicare open enrollment was not affected by the recent reckless and irresponsible government shutdown. 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. A copy of the Bustos-Loebsack letter can be found HERE. In September, Bustos’ wrote a joint op-ed with Max Richtman, the President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. 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. The op-ed can be found HERE. 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 “chained CPI” system in calculating Social Security benefits. 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 Medic… | 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 | legacy | 11.26.13 Durbin: President Issues Major Disaster Declaration for State of Illinois [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. The 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. Yesterday, 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. Individuals 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 Illin… | 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 | legacy | 11.26.13 Durbin: President Issues Major Disaster Declaration for State of Illinois [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. “The 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.” Yesterday, 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. Individuals 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, … | 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 | legacy | Washington, DC — 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. Rep. Foster introduced the legislation Friday, along with Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05). Audio of the call is available here. More information on the legislation is available here. Rep. Foster was joined on the call by Sergeant First Class Angela Dees. Dees, a Joliet native, is a training developer for the US Army Aviation School at Fort Eustis in Virginia. The idea for the legislation came when Angela contacted Rep. Foster’s office after her son Christopher Webb, a legal ward, was approved for GI benefits, then later told they would be revoked. “Children of the men and women who serve honorably shouldn’t be denied the benefits they were promised because of a bureaucratic oversight,” said Foster. “These servicemen and women have honored the promise they made to serve our country, we need to honor the promises we make to them.” “All I can do is hope that Congress will see what an injustice this is to these poor kids, support Congressman Foster’s bill and take action to fix it. This is not Christopher’s fault or any of the other kids in this situation. He trusted me, and I trusted that he would be taken care of,” said Dees. “I had straight As, I graduated third in my class and I had no other funding available – I didn’t think that I would need it. So for that to be taken away after I was already in school is heartbreaking. I think this legislation is very important, not only to me, but to hundreds of other kids that have been or will be affected,” said Webb. “We 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. We recognize that mili… | 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 | 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. The 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. With 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. Rep. Quigley examines the nutritional value of packaged items with Cooking Matters Coordinator Lilah Handler. Each 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. Rep. Quigley reviews a participant's cart at the end of the Cooking Matters tour. Rep. Quigley pictured with Cooking Matters tour guides and participants. Rep. Quigley strongly opposed recent efforts in the House of Representatives to slash SNAP by $40 billion, which wo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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