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822 rows where party = "Democrat", state = "IL" and year = 2016 sorted by date descending

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  • 2016 · 822 ✖

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  • IL · 822 ✖

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  • Democrat · 822 ✖

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  • House 822
url title date ▲ year month party chamber state member_name bioguide_id domain scraper source date_source text has_text collected_at updated_at
https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lofgren-guti-rrez-roybal-allard-applaud-recommendation-move-dhs-away-use Lofgren, Gutirrez, Roybal-Allard applaud recommendation to move DHS away from use of private prisons 2016-12-22 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Luis Gutiérrez G000535 gutierrez.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-Ill.) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.) today issued the following statement regarding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Homeland Security Advisory Council’s (HSAC) recent recommendation that DHS move away from the use of private prisons to detain immigrants.  HSAC acknowledged DHS’s historical reliance on private prisons but concluded that the private prison model is inferior from the perspective of governance, and that a deliberate shift away from the private prison model is warranted. “We applaud the Homeland Security Advisory Council’s (HSAC) recent recommendation that DHS move away from the use of private prisons to detain immigrants.  After extensive debate and testimony, HSAC voted overwhelmingly (by a vote of 17 to 5) to end DHS’s status quo reliance on private prisons.  “While some may view the use of private prisons as a cost-cutting measure, private prisons often cost taxpayers exorbitant amounts of money while at the same time failing to provide safe, sanitary, and humane conditions. We believe that the private prison companies’ for-profit model combined with insufficient accountability mechanisms has created an environment whereby private prison companies are able to abuse immigrant detainees with impunity. “We understand that the HSAC decision, while powerful and groundbreaking, comes at the end of DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson’s tenure and the process to completely dismantle the private prison detention system will take years to complete.  However, there are steps that Secretary Johnson can take immediately.  First, he can enforce termination clauses in contracts with the for-profit private prison facilities, beginning with those with the worst records of abuse and neglect.  Second, he can end family detention and expand alternatives to detention.  Third, he can ensure that any new contracts require strong transparency provisions (including robust public access) and use ICE’s most recent detention stand… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-announces-over-12-million-for-community-health-centers Durbin Announces Over $12 Million For Community Health Centers 2016-12-22 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.22.16 Durbin Announces Over $12 Million For Community Health Centers SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded six community health centers in Illinois a total of $12,186,227 through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program. Community health centers are community-based and patient-directed organizations that deliver comprehensive, culturally competent, high-quality primary health care services. Community health centers also often integrate access to pharmacy, mental health, substance abuse and oral health services in areas where economic, geographic or cultural barriers limit access to affordable health care services.   “Community health centers provide high-quality, comprehensive medical care to thousands of Illinoisans every year,” said Durbin. “This investment will help community health centers across our state continue to improve health outcomes and reduce patient costs.”   Under this announcement, the following organizations will receive funding to support patient-centered care:   ·     Crusaders Central Clinic Association (Rockford): $2,628,203 ·     Erie Family Health Center, Inc. (Chicago): $3,068,545 ·     Heartland Health Outreach, Inc. (Chicago): $2,350,292 ·     Henderson County Rural Health Center, Inc. (Oquawka): $536,357 ·     Near North Health Service Corporation (Chicago): $2,952,830 ·     Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation (East St. Louis): $650,000   Over its 50 year history, the Health Center Program has grown from two community health centers to nearly 1,400 community health centers operating over 9,800 clinic sites in every U.S. state and territory. In 2015, community health centers employed nearly 190,000 people and served over 24 million patients. One in 13 people nationwide rely on a HRSA-funded community health center for their preventive and primary health care needs. Print … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bustos.house.gov/2016-year-review-bustos-delivers-real-results-fights-illinois-working-families-emerges-key-leader-among-house-democrats/ 2016 YEAR IN REVIEW: Bustos Delivers Real Results, Fights for Illinois Working Families and Emerges as Key Leader Among House Democrats 2016-12-21 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Cheri Bustos B001286 bustos.house.gov     legacy ROCK ISLAND – This past year, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) has delivered real results for the families of Illinois’ 17th Congressional District, while continuing to focus on economic growth, manufacturing, veterans and government waste. She has also emerged as a key leader in the House Democratic Caucus as she transitions into her third term. Below is an outline of Congresswoman Bustos’ work in 2016: EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP In addition to serving as a Senior Whip, late this year Congresswoman Bustos secured a key position in Democratic House Leadership. Following the 2016 election, Congresswoman Bustos’ colleagues elected her to serve as a Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC). In this role, she will work to improve the Democratic Party’s connection to America’s heartland and fight to strengthen working families in rural and industrial communities. As the only Midwesterner in House Democratic Leadership, Congresswoman Bustos will ensure that our region and Illinois’ families have a voice at the decision-making table. INVESTING IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congresswoman Bustos understands that for every dollar invested in infrastructure, about two dollars of new economic activity is generated. That’s why, when Governor Bruce Rauner was stonewalling progress on the Quad-Cities to Chicago passenger rail project, she forcefully urged him to take action before the $177 million in federal funding was set to expire. When Governor Rauner refused to respond and continued to say the project was “under review,” Congresswoman Bustos would not accept more obstruction with so many jobs on the line. She sent Governor Rauner the exact same letter with handwritten edits underscoring just how important it was for him to stop playing politics and start working with her to move the project forward. With public pressure from Congresswoman Bustos and the community, Governor Rauner finally relented and agreed to put the project back on tra… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-carper-education-department-releases-data-showing-many-for-profit-colleges-receive-more-than-90-percent-of-revenue-from-federal-taxpayers Durbin, Carper: Education Department Releases Data Showing Many For-Profit Colleges Receive More Than 90 Percent Of Revenue From Federal Taxpayers 2016-12-21 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.21.16 Durbin, Carper: Education Department Releases Data Showing Many For-Profit Colleges Receive More Than 90 Percent Of Revenue From Federal Taxpayers Senators asked for data more than a year ago; have led efforts in Congress to close loophole that exempts Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs education benefits from restrictions on federal revenue and incentivizes exploitation of servicemembers and veterans by for-profit colleges WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tom Carper (D-DE) issued the following statement after the Department of Education (ED) released data providing a more accurate picture of for-profit colleges’ dependence on federal funding by counting Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill and Department of Defense Tuition Assistance funding. The current federal “90/10 rule” bars for-profit colleges and universities from deriving more than 90% of their revenue from the Department of Education’s student aid programs but does not include these additional federal sources, encouraging for-profit colleges to target veterans and members of the military. The data was released in response to a request by Senators Durbin and Carper – along with 18 other Democratic Senators – for public data on how much for-profit colleges actually receive from American taxpayers. Durbin and Carper were joined by 29 Senators in sending a similar letter to the Department in June.   “The data released today by the Education Department confirms what we already knew: for-profit colleges are some of the most highly-subsidized companies in America; many receive nearly all of their revenue straight from federal taxpayers. The current 90/10 rule, with its failure to include GI Bill and Defense Tuition Assistance makes our nation’s servicemembers and veterans an attractive target for predatory for-profit colleges,” said Senator Durbin. “Today’s data should encourage Congress to close this loophole and reduce the am… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-announces-push-for-national-popular-vote-legislation Durbin Announces Push For National Popular Vote Legislation 2016-12-20 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.20.16 Durbin Announces Push For National Popular Vote Legislation Urges states to join compact committing to winner of the national popular vote WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a renewed effort to amend the U.S. Constitution to honor the principle of “one person, one vote” in the election of U.S. President and Vice President. Durbin first proposed this constitutional amendment in 2000 and has supported it regardless of the outcome in previous presidential elections. Republican Congressman Ray LaHood joined Durbin in his earlier efforts.   Noting the challenges of passing a constitutional amendment, Durbin also called on states to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would require each state’s electors to cast a ballot in favor of the candidate who won the national popular vote.   “Twice in recent memory, a majority of American voters cast their vote for the losing presidential candidate. This is certainly not what the Founders intended. It’s time to retire this 18th century invention that disenfranchises millions of Americans,” said Senator Durbin. “The American people deserve to choose all of their leaders, and I will continue to support efforts to empower voters. We face an uphill battle in Congress, but states have the power to act now by adopting the Compact and committing their electors to the candidate chosen by the voters.”   So far, 11 jurisdictions have entered the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact: Illinois, California, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. These jurisdictions represent a total of 165 Electoral College votes. The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact will take effect when enough states have joined the Compact to represent a majority of electoral votes (270 of 538). Print Email … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3164 Lipinski Invites Third District Residents to Upcoming Town Hall Meeting 2016-12-19 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Daniel Lipinski L000563 lipinski.house.gov     legacy Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, January 7th, from 10-11:30 a.m., at Oak Lawn Community High School, located at 9400 Southwest Highway in Oak Lawn. During the meeting, area residents will be able to hear from Rep. Lipinski about his work on their behalf at home and in Washington, as well as ask questions about federal issues.  Additionally, staff from the Congressman’s office will be available beginning one hour prior to the start of the meeting (9 a.m.) to provide assistance with Medicare, Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and other federal matters. “With the next session of Congress about to begin and a new Administration moving into the White House, I encourage residents of the Third District to come to my upcoming Town Hall Meeting and voice their opinions,” said Rep. Lipinski.  “As your representative in Washington and someone who strives to improve the quality of life in the communities I serve, it is critical that I hear from you.” If you are unable to attend the meeting, Lipinski’s constituent offices in Chicago, Lockport, Oak Lawn, and Orland Park are open year round to meet your needs.  If you have any questions, please call 773-948-6223. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-obama-signs-rep-quigley-s-bill-expand-small-business-voice-sec President Obama Signs Rep. Quigleys Bill to Expand Small Business Voice at the SEC Into Law 2016-12-19 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Mike Quigley Q000023 quigley.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON — Last week, the bipartisan SEC Small Business Advocate Act of 2015 introduced by U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the New Democrat Coalition, along with Reps. John Carney (DE), Sean Duffy (WI-07) and Ander Crenshaw (FL-04), was signed into law by President Barack Obama. This legislation establishes the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). “Small businesses are a vital driver of economic growth and job creation throughout the city of Chicago and across the entire United States. Though many regulators and lawmakers work hard to support their efforts, small businesses still face challenges understanding complex securities regulations and effectively communicating their needs,” said Rep. Quigley. “I am pleased that the creation of this new office will open a clear avenue of communication to SEC leadership and provide our hardworking small business owners with an advocate to help them explore new concepts and further spur innovation.” The creation of this new office and formalization of a Small Business Advisory Committee will increase communication on issues affecting small businesses by maintaining a designated representative to advocate on their needs. This legislation will not only improve the regulatory process for small business owners, but also for the investors and consumers that depend on them. This legislation is supported by a broad group of small business organizations, including Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA), U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Biotechnology Industry Association (BIO), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council), Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), National Small Business Association (NSBA), Crowdfunding Professional Association (CfPA), National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), and National Development Council (NDC). Rep. Quigley is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of congressional lawmakers that promotes policies that harness American ingenuity, i… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-announces-3-million-for-water-and-waste-projects-in-rural-illinois Durbin Announces $3 Million For Water And Waste Projects In Rural Illinois 2016-12-19 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.19.16 Durbin Announces $3 Million For Water And Waste Projects In Rural Illinois CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $3,029,900 in federal funding for water and waste disposal programs in rural areas of Illinois.   “This federal investment will create good-paying jobs in Illinois communities, and help protect public health, safety, and the welfare of our families,” Senator Durbin said.   USDA Water and Waste Disposal Program   The Rural Water and Waste Disposal Loan Program is used to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems, including solid waste disposal and storm drainage systems in rural areas and towns with populations under 10,000. Funds are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, special-purpose districts, Indian tribes, and corporations not operated for profit. Additionally, Water and Waste Disposal Grants seek to reduce water and waste disposal costs to a reasonable level for rural areas.   Under today’s announcement, the following entities will receive funds through the Water and Waste Disposal Program:   ·     SouthWater, Inc. (Union County): Loan of $508,000 and grant of $241,900 to connect 21 new rural users to the existing system; ·     Village of Cerro Gordo (Piatt County): Loan of $790,000 to replace nearly 6000 feet of water mains and create an additional connection to the water plant. Village of Cerro Gordo has experienced over 62 water line breaks since the 1980’s; ·     Village of Weldon (DeWitt County): Loan of $700,000 and grant of $790,000 to replace water main, fire hydrants, and valves, and make other necessary renovations to address high levels of arsenic in system and provide potable water to the Village’s 429 residents. 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-meets-with-veterans-highlights-federal-funding-to-prevent-homelessness Durbin Meets with Veterans, Highlights Federal Funding to Prevent Homelessness 2016-12-19 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.19.16 Durbin Meets with Veterans, Highlights Federal Funding to Prevent Homelessness GRANITE CITY - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited Chestnut Health Systems to meet with veterans and highlight new federal funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program to prevent homelessness. Earlier this fall, Durbin announced more than $9.5 million to prevent homelessness among Illinois veterans and their families, which included $510,116 for Chestnut.  “Too often, our nation’s veterans find themselves facing financial difficulties and the prospect of homelessness. This VA funding will help ensure that organizations like Chestnut Health Systems have the necessary resources to help veteran families transition to permanent housing,” Durbin said. “I commend the VA’s efforts to end veteran homelessness, and I am proud to continue working alongside the department to keep our promise to America’s veterans.”   While veteran homelessness has dropped nearly 50 percent since 2010, more than 40,000 veterans still experience homelessness on any given night, including 1,200 in Illinois. Many veterans are considered at risk of homelessness because of poverty, lack of a support network or employment, substance abuse, or because they suffer from mental health issues.  Chestnut is a private, non-profit charitable organization with locations in Belleville, Granite City, Edwardsville, and Maryville. This is the fourth year Chestnut has received VA funds, and it will use them to employ six full-time staff members to work with veterans to help them with employment, financial planning, access to transportation, housing counseling, and offer referrals to medical, legal, and other services. About $200,000 from the grant is also set aside to help veterans pay rent and utilities.  As a VA SSVF provider, Chestnut expects to serve about 100 people this year with this funding.  -30- Print Email … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3161 Lipinski Praises Congressional Passage of Bill to Boost American Innovation and Competitiveness, Create Jobs 2016-12-16 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Daniel Lipinski L000563 lipinski.house.gov     legacy Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is praising the passage in the House and Senate of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, S. 3084, which authorizes and revises a wide-range of federal science, research, and technology development programs.  These provisions apply to research programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, as well as government-sponsored research at universities and other institutions.  The bill is designed to boost American innovation and competitiveness, resulting in the creation of American jobs.  Notably, the bill authorizes the Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program that teaches scientists how to turn their discoveries into entrepreneurial, job-producing businesses.  Language in the bill directs the expansion of I-Corps to additional federal agencies and academic institutions, as well as through state and local governments which can better support their economic development goals.  The new I-Corps authority also supports prototype or proof-of-concept development activities, which will better enable researchers to commercialize their innovations. “I've been a strong supporter of the I-Corps program since it was first introduced by the NSF,” Rep. Lipinski said.  “I have helped it grow and have seen how successful it has been.  Programs like I-Corps get university and other federally-funded research translated more quickly into new products and new companies, creating American jobs and providing taxpayers a better return on their investment in science.” “I-Corps has become the standard for entrepreneurship in the federal government, having trained over 1,000 of our country’s best scientists,” stated serial entrepreneur Steve Blank.  “From its inception, Congressman Lipinski was the visionary champion of I-Corps.  The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act extending I-Corps is one of the major accomplishments of the 114th Congress.” S. 3084 also inclu… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-invites-scott-pruitt-climate-change-debate Quigley Invites Scott Pruitt to Climate Change Debate 2016-12-16 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Mike Quigley Q000023 quigley.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), released the following statement reiterating his invite to Scott Pruitt, President-Elect Trump’s nominee for EPA Administrator, to come to Chicago for a debate on the science of climate change: Scott Pruitt has said that the debate on climate change is “far from settled.” He has called it a “trend,” on which scientists “continue to disagree.” On his own LinkedIn page he touts his efforts to lead “the charge with repeated notices and subsequent lawsuits against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their leadership’s activist agenda.” These are direct quotes from the man that will be tasked to identify and help solve the environmental problems that threaten our earth and all who inhabit it. Mr. Pruitt has also said that the debate on climate change “should be encouraged — in classrooms, public forums, and the halls of Congress.” Well, Mr. Pruitt, if you really think so, let us have that debate. Mr. Pruitt’s words are not only incorrect; they are dangerous. The warming of our planet is not a trend, and the evidence of its existence is indisputable. Top scientists, as well as the over 12,000 peer-reviewed studies on the issue, do not vary on their acceptance of this life-threatening crisis or acknowledgement of its man-made causes. The climate crisis posses severe risks to every aspect of our way of life. Extending beyond the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe, climate change endangers our public health, our economic competitiveness, and our national security. We cannot sit on our hands for the next four years as the pressing environmental threats of today continue into tomorrow. These dangers will only grow and expand. That is why we need immediate action and constructive, bipartisan policy to combat these realities and protect our world for future generations. As we look forward to 2017, we must begin a new conversation with the leaders President-Elect… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-highlights-10-million-federal-investment-in-illinois-co2-projects Durbin Highlights $10 Million Federal Investment in Illinois CO2 Projects 2016-12-16 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.16.16 Durbin Highlights $10 Million Federal Investment in Illinois CO2 Projects DECATUR – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded two grants totaling $10 million to the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS), housed at the University of Illinois’ Prairie Research Institute (PRI). The grants will fund projects to research commercial-scale geologic storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “Any meaningful strategies for addressing the causes and dangers of climate change must include reduced carbon emissions,” Durbin said. “That’s why we are here today to announce a $10 million investment by the United States Department of Energy to study if 50 million tons of carbon dioxide can be stored deep underground here in Illinois. Split between two projects, the grants will support work that builds on the knowledge gained from Department of Energy’s previous carbon sequestration pilot-project.”   The two grants are part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Carbon Storage Assurance and Facility Enterprise initiative to assess the viability of carbon storage technologies and geological storage sites in Illinois. These projects will help demonstrate how carbon emissions from power plants can be safely sequestered, and could provide Illinois with an advantage in job training and technology deployment.   The ISGS received $8.9 million to address the feasibility of a commercial-scale CO2 geologic storage complex within the Mt. Simon sandstone formation located in Macon County.  This work will build upon the success of the previous ADM-led pilot project, which sequestered over one million metric tons of CO2, to store over 50 million metric tons of CO2. The ISGS received an additional $1.2 million to study the challenges, opportunities, and risks involved in building a commercial-scale carbon capture and storage project at another location in East-Central Illinois. Richland Community College, PRI’s Illinois Sustainable Technolo… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/senator-elect-tammy-duckworth-to-serve-on-committees-handling-infrastructure-transportation-small-business-energy-and-manufacturing-policy Senator-elect Tammy Duckworth to Serve on Committees Handling Infrastructure, Transportation, Small Business, Energy & Manufacturing Policy 2016-12-15 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Tammy Duckworth D000622 www.duckworth.senate.gov     legacy December 15, 2016 Senator-elect Tammy Duckworth to Serve on Committees Handling Infrastructure, Transportation, Small Business, Energy & Manufacturing Policy On Senate Committees, Duckworth will advance critical Illinois priorities that put Illinoisans back to work improving infrastructure, grow small businesses and continue her life's mission of advocating for Veterans CHICAGO, IL - After being sworn into the U.S. Senate on January 3rd, 2017, U.S. Senator-elect Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will serve on several influential committees: Environment & Public Works; Energy & Natural Resources; Commerce, Science, & Transportation; and Small Business. These committee posts will give the Senator-elect an important platform to push for Illinois priorities like rebuilding our state's infrastructure, keeping the water system safe and lead-free, helping grow minority- and Veteran-owned small businesses, investing in advanced manufacturing and championing Illinois' crown jewels of scientific innovation: Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab. "I am eager to get to work in the Senate--with members on both sides of the aisle--to help Illinois families with common-sense policies that grow manufacturing jobs, invest in communities that have been ignored for too long, rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and help make college more affordable for all Americans," said Duckworth regarding her priorities in the upcoming Congress. "I'm also going to work to continue my life's mission of supporting, protecting and keeping the promises we've made to our Veterans and ensuring we fully stand behind the troops we send into danger overseas." The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee has jurisdiction over the nation's interstate highway system and other infrastructure projects like bridges and dams, giving Senator-elect Duckworth an important role in bolstering Illinois' status as a world-class air, road, rail and water transportation hub. EPW also handles important policies dealing with… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-joins-bill-to-require-president-vice-president-to-fully-divest-personal-financial-conflicts-of-interest Durbin Joins Bill To Require President, Vice President To Fully Divest Personal Financial Conflicts Of Interest 2016-12-15 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.15.16 Durbin Joins Bill To Require President, Vice President To Fully Divest Personal Financial Conflicts Of Interest Calls on Trump to Comply with Constitution's Emoluments Clause CHICAGO—On the day President-elect Donald Trump was supposed to inform the American people about his future with the Trump Organization, a group of Democratic U.S. senators announced they will introduce a bill in January that would require the President and Vice President to disclose and divest any potential financial conflicts of interest. It would also require presidential appointees to recuse themselves from any specific matters involving the President's financial conflicts of interest that come before their agencies.   The bill is cosponsored by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).   "President-elect Trump's financial entanglements are unprecedented in American history, and the American people are still waiting to hear what steps he will take before January 20th to guard against conflicts of interest and corruption in his Administration. Just this week, the President-elect cancelled a scheduled announcement about severing his business ties, taking time instead to meet with Kanye West," said Senator Durbin. "The American people deserve to know that their President is putting the United States' interests before his own, his family's, or that of any foreign government."   "The American people deserve to know that the President of the United States is working to do what's best for the country - not using his office to do what's best for himself and his businesses," said Senator Warren. "The only way for President-elect Trump to truly eliminate conflicts-of-interest is to divest his financial interests and place them in a blind trust. This has been the standard for previous presidents, and our bill makes clear the continuing expectation that President-elect Trump do the sa… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-repealing-affordable-care-act-would-disrupt-lives-of-millions Durbin: Repealing Affordable Care Act Would Disrupt Lives of Millions 2016-12-15 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.15.16 Durbin: Repealing Affordable Care Act Would Disrupt Lives of Millions Durbin and Health Care Experts Discuss the Illinois Impact of Republican Plan to Repeal Affordable Care Act CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with doctors and health care experts to discuss the local impact of congressional Republicans plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – without replacing the law – in early January. Repealing the ACA will threaten health care for all Americans, drive up costs, and let insurance companies place arbitrary limits on benefits and deny coverage for pre-existing conditions or gender. More than one million people in Illinois would lose their health insurance in 2019 if the ACA is repealed, including 470,000 newly eligible or enrolled in Medicaid. “When congress passed the ACA in 2010, health care costs were skyrocketing and health insurance companies were not being held accountable for their unfair practices. The law addressed some of the most glaring gaps in America’s health care system and now, thanks to the ACA, the uninsured rate in Illinois has fallen by 49 percent,” Durbin said. “ACA is not perfect – no law is. But instead of working together on improvements, Republicans have instead voted over 60 times to outright repeal the law – without offering any ideas for how to replace it. Repealing our law – throwing our health care system, providers, and patients into chaos – is dangerous and will immediately disrupt the lives of millions. I will fight in Washington to protect the gains we have made under the ACA, and continue to support patients in need and the programs that serve them.”   Republican leaders in Congress plan to move quickly next year to repeal the ACA without enacting a replacement plan to prevent a disruption of the U.S. healthcare system or to protect the millions of Americans who depend upon the law for their medical care. This approach could result in nearly 30… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/va-applies-bipartisan-provision-to-enhance-va-medical-care VA Applies Bipartisan Provision To Enhance Va Medical Care 2016-12-15 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.15.16 VA Applies Bipartisan Provision To Enhance Va Medical Care New policy will improve staffing at Veterans Administration health clinics WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) welcomed the news that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will implement one of the key proposals from the bipartisan Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement Act, helping to ensure veterans can get the care they need from Advance Practice Registered Nurses. The VA will now allow Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) to practice to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. This will help enable the VA to find enough medical professionals to fill the need for health care services for veterans. This is particularly important for primary care services in rural areas, where veterans struggle to find access to medical care. “Allowing these highly-qualified registered nurses to put their training to practice will help address delays at VA hospitals and clinics across the country,” said Senator Durbin. “I commend Secretary McDonald and Under Secretary Shulkin for taking steps to remove barriers to health care access by increasing the number of qualified medical professionals providing primary care to our nation’s veterans, and hope the VA can extend full practice authority to CRNAs in the future as well.”“After a lifetime of service to our nation, veterans deserve nothing but the best medical support. But unfortunately, all too many of our wounded warriors face significant hurdles to accessing the health care they need to thrive upon their return to civilian life,” said Senator Merkley. “In order to support our veterans to the best of their ability, our medical professionals must be able to practice to the full extent of their education, training, and certification. When it comes to our veterans, there should be no holding back. I’m thrilled th… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3158 Lipinski Applauds NHTSA for Taking Next Step on Life-Saving Vehicle Technology 2016-12-14 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Daniel Lipinski L000563 lipinski.house.gov     legacy Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is praising the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposal to establish a standard for potentially life-saving vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology and to require this equipment for all new light duty vehicles manufactured after 2023.  V2V uses dedicated short-range communications to exchange basic information about the operational status of vehicles in close proximity to one another.  It is primarily used to improve safety and increase efficiency. “As co-chair of the Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus, this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is a highly anticipated step forward for the emerging connected vehicle industry,” said Rep. Lipinski.  “The NHTSA has worked collaboratively with stakeholders on all levels to develop a very good proposal.  V2V communications can enable many life-saving functions like collision and blind spot warnings, as well as intersection assistance.  This technology can significantly reduce the number of traffic deaths each year and help the development of autonomous vehicles.  In addition, the proposal mandates a cybersecurity framework that protects the system from hackers and guards privacy by ensuring that no personal data is collected or transmitted.” For many years, Congressman Lipinski has been a leader on connected and automated vehicle policy.  The comprehensive transportation bill known as the FAST Act, that became law a year ago, contained a number of provisions he authored that will help our nation continue to lead on this emerging technology, which will increase safety, ease congestion, cut down on energy usage, expand mobility, and create new manufacturing jobs.  The FAST Act also included language from Lipinski’s Future TRIP Act, which specifically directs the University Transportation Centers program to focus research on connected and automated vehicles.  Rep. Lipinski also pushed the NHTSA to release proposed guidance for improving motor vehicle cybersecurity.  The guidance, released this past fall… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3156 Lipinski Calls for a Full Investigation into Russia's Alleged Hacking and Attempts to Influence Election 2016-12-13 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Daniel Lipinski L000563 lipinski.house.gov     legacy Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) issued the following statement after recent reports on Russia’s hacking of Americans and interference with the 2016 Presidential Election: “I am deeply troubled by reports coming from the CIA regarding possible Russian interference in our recent elections.  Based on Russia’s actions taken against other nations, including Estonia, Georgia, and Ukraine, it is of little surprise that President Putin would attempt to influence our democratic process.  It is vital that we examine what occurred, and whether Russia sought to influence or more directly tamper with our elections.  I support the calls for a special investigation into this, not to cast doubt on the results of the election so much as to identify the scope and consequence of Russia’s attempted influence, and to assure we put in place measures to prevent this from occurring again. “I will continue to make cybersecurity a top priority, but this will require cooperation that we don’t see enough of in Washington.  Democrats and Republicans need to work together with the outgoing Obama Administration and the incoming Trump Administration to develop a bipartisan proactive approach to protecting Americans from cyber thefts and attacks.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-statement-nomination-rex-tillerson-secretary-state Quigley Statement on Nomination of Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State 2016-12-13 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Mike Quigley Q000023 quigley.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on the announcement that Rex Tillerson, CEO of ExxonMobil, will be President-Elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State: The Secretary of State has the immense responsibility of being America’s top diplomat, tasked with putting the interests and security of the United States and its people above all else. Unfortunately, the selection of Rex Tillerson, who serves as CEO of ExxonMobil and has close ties with Vladimir Putin, calls into question the glaring conflicts of interest he will bring with him into his position. His lack of diplomatic experience and questionable business dealings with foreign governments should be a serious cause for concern for all Members of Congress as the confirmation process begins. Mr. Tillerson’s personal and professional relationship with Vladimir Putin has been widely reported, and is particularly alarming at a time when significant evidence is pointing to Russia’s interference in our presidential election. As our intelligence communities continue to assess this incident, President-elect Trump’s nomination of Mr. Tillerson sends very mixed messages on our commitment to uphold and protect our democracy from those who wish us harm. Another one of the Secretary of State’s important functions will be representing the United States in the United Nations climate change talks and in bilateral environmental agreements with other countries. While Exxon Mobil has publicly praised the landmark Paris Agreement, Mr. Tillerson’s past statements raise serious doubts on his commitment to combat the immediate threats of the climate crisis. As climate change has severe national and economic security implications, it’s imperative that the future Secretary of State gives climate change the attention it deserves here at home and around the globe. Additionally, human rights observers have sounded the alarm on Mr. Tillerson’s past actions as CEO … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-statement-nomination-rick-perry-energy-secretary Quigley Statement on Nomination of Rick Perry for Energy Secretary 2016-12-13 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Mike Quigley Q000023 quigley.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition, released the following statement on the announcement that Former Governor of Texas Rick Perry will be President-Elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Department of Energy: I am deeply disappointed and concerned that President-Elect Trump has selected Former Texas Governor Rick Perry to lead the Department of Energy. In addition to having almost no relevant experience to prepare him to oversee a department charged with shaping the way we power our society moving forward, Perry once vowed to completely eliminate the vital cabinet department he is now being tapped to head. The Governor cannot be trusted or expected to effectively lead an agency that he doesn’t believe should even exist. Under President Obama, the Department of Energy has been led by two distinguished physicists who have helped guide advanced scientific and technological innovation and catalyze the proliferation of clean and renewable energy. By contrast, Perry has repeatedly questioned the settled science of climate change and championed the oil industry during his time as Governor of the state with the most renewable power in the country. Perry now hopes to lead an agency charged with regulating nuclear technology and running hundreds of research institutions and laboratories across the country despite having accused scientists of manipulating data to secure more funding for their work. I am a strong believer in the mission of the Department of Energy and grateful for the life-changing inventions and innovations that have occurred under its guidance. The Department of Energy is vital in our efforts to support a robust and sustainable clean energy economy, and I will fight to ensure that the agency is able to continue its good work and stay true to its duties, regardless of its leadership. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-announces-more-than-3-million-in-hud-funding-for-illinois-housing-and-community-development Durbin Announces More Than $3 Million In HUD Funding For Illinois Housing And Community Development 2016-12-13 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.13.16 Durbin Announces More Than $3 Million In HUD Funding For Illinois Housing And Community Development CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Chicago Housing Authority and The Village of Oak Park, Illinois will receive a total of $3,452,000 in grant funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Village of Oak Park received $3 million through the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program to spur business development and economic growth in the community. The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) received $452,000 through the Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency (PH-FSS) Program to provide public housing residents with supportive services, resident empowerment activities, and assistance in becoming economically self-sufficient.   “These programs will help families gain the skills necessary to land good-paying jobs and affordable housing, and will give local development agencies the ability to help small business owners in their communities grow and thrive,” Durbin said. “I will continue fighting for federal funding that promotes the health and well-being of Illinois residents and businesses.”   Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program Grant   The Village of Oak Park will establish a business loan fund focused on lending to small and medium sized businesses. The Village will use these funds to spur expansion of existing businesses, promote neighborhood revitalization, create and retain jobs and deliver key services to the community. The Village plans to make loans to businesses for working capital, acquisition and rehabilitation activities as well as for machinery, equipment, furnishings and fixtures.   Section 108 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 provides for a loan guarantee component of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program (Section 108) provides communities with a source of financing for economic development, housing rehabilitat… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-business-leaders-highlight-new-bill-to-protect-dreamers Durbin, Business Leaders Highlight New Bill to Protect DREAMers 2016-12-13 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.13.16 Durbin, Business Leaders Highlight New Bill to Protect DREAMers CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition (IBIC) today highlighted Senator Durbin’s new legislation to ensure that the young undocumented immigrants known as DREAMers remain shielded from deportation if the Trump Administration ends the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Like DACA, the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act would provide temporary relief from deportation and work authorization to more than 740,000 young people who were brought to the United States as children. The bipartisan bill was introduced by Durbin and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), are original cosponsors of the bill. “The DACA program has given DREAMers a chance to come out of the shadows and contribute more fully to the only country they’ve ever called home. These DREAMers have demonstrated their commitment to the United States in countless ways – by opening businesses, becoming doctors, lawyers, teachers and more,” said Senator Durbin. “I urge President-elect Trump to keep DACA in place, but if he does not my bipartisan legislation will ensure that DREAMers are protected from deportation until we are able to provide a permanent fix for our broken immigration system.”   IBIC released a statement on the BRIDGE Act, which said, “We welcome the bipartisan legislative solution provided by Senators Graham and Durbin to grant temporary relief from deportations and work permits for more than 740,000 DREAMers who came to America as children. The bill provides a pathway for these young people to keep living, working and paying taxes in the United States. If passed, teachers, nurses, engineers and entrepreneurs will continue to work, create jobs, pay taxes, buy homes, and contribute to our economy and country. Without Congressional action, it’s likely t… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-urges-education-department-to-provide-debt-relief-to-former-westwood-college-students-in-illinois Durbin Urges Education Department To Provide Debt Relief To Former Westwood College Students In Illinois 2016-12-13 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.13.16 Durbin Urges Education Department To Provide Debt Relief To Former Westwood College Students In Illinois WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) urged the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to work with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to provide prompt federal student loan debt relief through the Department’s borrower defense to repayment rule for more than three thousand former Westwood College students in Illinois.   Last year, Attorney General Madigan settled a lawsuit with the company for $15 million after finding that Westwood misled students about the accreditation and cost of its criminal justice program. The settlement award provided some private student loan relief to Westwood students but did not cover federal student loans.   “Attorney General Madigan’s suit and underlying evidence make clear that Westwood’s deceptive practices give rise to a cause of action under Illinois law, thereby qualifying approximately 3,600 Westwood criminal justice students in Illinois to federal student loan relief under the Department’s borrower defense to repayment regulation,” wrote Senator Durbin in a letter to Education Secretary John King. “I urge the Department to work with Attorney General Madigan to promptly provide loan discharges and notifications of discharge to those students identified by the Attorney General.”   Last week, Senator Durbin met with Secretary King to discuss how the Obama Administration can continue to protect students and taxpayers from predatory for-profit colleges until January 20th. They also discussed federal student loan relief for defrauded students, including those who attended Westwood, Computer Systems Institute, and Corinthian Colleges.   Full text of the letter is available here. 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/senators-call-for-national-intelligence-estimate-of-russian-tampering-in-us-election-request-confirmation-of-justice-dept-investigation Senators Call For National Intelligence Estimate Of Russian Tampering In U.S. Election, Request Confirmation Of Justice Dept. Investigation 2016-12-13 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.13.16 Senators Call For National Intelligence Estimate Of Russian Tampering In U.S. Election, Request Confirmation Of Justice Dept. Investigation In letters to Director James Clapper, Attorney General Lynch, Senators push Administration on Russian hacks WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Al Franken (D-MN), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Gary Peters (D-MI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tom Udall (D-NM), and Ed Markey (D-MA) today called for a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) to determine the extent of Russian intervention in the 2016 United States presidential election, accompanied by an unclassified summary of its key judgments by January 20th, 2017. An NIE is the formal, authoritative assessment of the Director of National Intelligence related to a particular national security issue, which reflects the collective judgment of the nation’s sixteen intelligence agencies.   The senators also called on Attorney General Loretta Lynch to publicly confirm that nonpartisan career Justice Department officials are conducting a criminal investigation into the matter, and if not, to open one immediately. On Friday, the Washington Post reported that the CIA concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the election to assist Donald Trump.   “Direct and deliberate interference in our election is an unprecedented breach and threat to U.S. democracy and national security—it is absolutely critical that information about these matters be disclosed to the public and to Congress,” the senators said. “We strongly support calls for bipartisan investigations by Congress—this issue requires the full attention of the executive and legislative branches alike, and a conclusive, public national intelligence estimate will lay out the facts for the American people. The public also needs transparency and reassurance that federal law enforcement is actively investigating these matters and that, … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-kelly-calls-for-congressional-investigation-into-russia-s Congresswoman Kelly Calls for Congressional Investigation into Russias Role in 2016 Election 2016-12-12 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Robin Kelly K000385 robinkelly.house.gov     legacy Today, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Ranking Member of the Oversight Committee’s subcommittee on Information Technology (IT) Security, sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Oversight Committee chairman, Congressman Jason Chaffetz calling for a full and thorough investigation of Russia’s efforts to sway the 2016 Presidential election.   “Voting is the bedrock of our democracy. As members of Congress, we have a responsibility to investigate and deliver real answers for the American people,” said Congresswoman Kelly. “The intelligence community has done their job and made it clear, we need to get to the bottom of this.”   Specifically, her letter requests a full committee investigative hearing on “Russia’s actions in the 2016 Presidential race and its efforts to undermine our election.”    The letter continues: “Now that CIA sources have indicated that there was indeed Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential contest, we must act swiftly to defend our democratic elections and hold the Putin Regime accountable for their actions.”   “Failure to investigate these serious allegations is nothing short of a violation of the public trust,” added Congresswoman Kelly.   Congresswoman Kelly also serves on the Oversight Committee's National Security subcommittee and is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/remarks-2016-national-immigrant-integration-conference-nashville-tn Remarks at the 2016 National Immigrant Integration Conference, Nashville, TN 2016-12-12 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Luis Gutiérrez G000535 gutierrez.house.gov     legacy Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) Not many Members of Congress get to be part of a movement.  Not many get to help organize the nation for genuine, progressive social change.  For that privilege, I want to thank all of you because working together, we are doing work that matters.  Your work makes life for my constituents better and it makes fighting much easier when it is arm in arm with good people like you.  There is no one I would rather share a fox hole with than Josh Hoyt [Executive Director of the National Partnership for New Americans] who is a national leader, a Chicago institution, and a personal friend.  My biggest critics are at home in Chicago and so are my most stalwart friends. And outside of my family, the people who keep me going and keep me fighting are either in Chicago or they are here in this room or part of this movement. And this movement has now sent one of its own to Congress. So I want to say thank you to Seattle and to the pro-immigrant movement for sending Representative-elect Pramila Jayapal to us in Washington.  We will take good care of her and I’m proud to know she is joining me in our fight for immigrants, for fairness and for justice. The new class in Congress – and the last several classes of young leaders who are coming to Washington to fight for immigrants – from Phoenix and Florida, Los Angeles, Nevada and New York – there are new leaders in the House who will join with us. I wish we had a better two or four years ahead of us, but Rep. Jayapal, thank you for stepping up and continuing the fight in your new role. I cannot sugar coat things, we are looking at a very dark time. Even when we had a President who said he was for immigration reform, we lost more than three-million people to deportation. So with all due respect to the topic of integration that brings us together at this conference, we know that we cannot integrate immigrants into our community if they have been deported and I think the next several years present a challenge like no other we have faced in recen… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3153 Lipinski Honors 2016 Senior Citizens of the Year 2016-12-12 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Daniel Lipinski L000563 lipinski.house.gov     legacy Today, Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) announced the winners of the 2016 Senior Citizen of the Year Award during a special program in Hickory Hills.  The winners were chosen based on their contributions to their communities in the Third Congressional District. “I am honored to recognize these seniors who have selflessly donated their time and energy to causes and pursuits that teach us all the value of service.  They have truly made our neighborhoods and communities a better place to live.” The 2016 Senior Citizen of the Year Award winners are:  Tom Ballard, Lemont; Dolores Barnes, Palos Park; Phyllis Churulo, Romeoville; John Coleman, Burbank; Rich Davis, Lockport; Mary DeMarco, Chicago (Canaryville); Bruce Haugen, Willow Springs; Anita Kieca, Hickory Hills; Sharon Skala, Chicago (Archer Heights); Arlene Norton-White, Chicago (Garfield Ridge); Robert Wilcox, Oak Lawn; and Joyce Wisniowicz of Orland Park. To be eligible for this award, a senior must be nominated by the leader of an organization or an official from their community.  Only a select few are chosen to receive this honor. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-durbin-announce-chicago-post-office-be-renamed-after-officer Quigley, Durbin Announce Chicago Post Office to Be Renamed After Officer Joseph P. Cali 2016-12-12 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Mike Quigley Q000023 quigley.house.gov     legacy CHICAGO – U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced the Senate passed legislation to designate the U.S. Post Office facility located at 6300 N. Northwest Highway in Chicago, Illinois as the Officer Joseph P. Cali Post Office Building. Vietnam War Veteran and Chicago Police Officer Joseph P. Cali was shot and killed on May 19, 1975, at the age of 31 while writing a parking ticket in the 2100 block of West Lake Street. He was survived by his wife, Neva, and two young daughters, Jennifer and Carolyn. “With the naming of this post office, I am proud to honor the bravery and service of Chicago police officer, Joseph P. Cali,” said Quigley. “Officer Cali made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and I know that this post office will pay tribute to his dedication to the City of Chicago and all its residents.” “Officer Cali was a true public servant, putting his life on the line in Vietnam and paying the ultimate sacrifice as a Chicago police officer at a tragically young age. He could not be more deserving of this recognition and honor,” said Durbin. “I am proud to join Congressman Quigley in this effort to recognize Officer Cali’s years of public service.” Rep. Quigley introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to rename the U.S. Post Office in honor of Officer Cali in July. In September, Senator Durbin sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs calling for legislation to designate this facility to be passed as soon as possible.  ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-statement-investigation-russian-hacking Quigley Statement on Investigation Into Russian Hacking 2016-12-12 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Mike Quigley Q000023 quigley.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), who serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement in support of a Congressional investigation in response to reports that Russian hackers attempted to influence the election: The recent findings of Russian interference in our presidential election should concern every American, regardless of political affiliation. A thorough, bipartisan, bicameral investigation should be convened as soon as possible in order to provide the American people with the facts and answers they deserve in regards to the scope and timing of this alleged involvement. As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I believe that it is time for us to come together and put our country first by fulfilling our responsibility to uphold the democratic foundation on which nation was built. Congress’s response to this incident could have major foreign policy implications in the weeks, months, and years to come. The world is watching, and we must do all we can to deter future intrusions into our institutions, from Russia or any other actors who wish us harm.   ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-kirk-announce-illinois-post-offices-to-be-renamed-after-abner-j-mikva-officer-joseph-p-cali Durbin, Kirk Announce Illinois Post Offices To Be Renamed After Abner J. Mikva, Officer Joseph P. Cali 2016-12-12 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.12.16 Durbin, Kirk Announce Illinois Post Offices To Be Renamed After Abner J. Mikva, Officer Joseph P. Cali CHICAGO – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced the Senate passed legislation to name two U.S. Post Office facilities after Illinois' Abner J. Mikva and Officer Joseph P. Cali.   “Abner Mikva was always my North Star for integrity, independence, and progressive values. And Officer Cali was a true public servant, putting his life on the line in Vietnam and paying the ultimate sacrifice as a Chicago police officer at a tragically young age. Both men could not be more deserving of this recognition and honor,” said Durbin. “I am proud to join my colleagues in this effort to recognize their years of public service.” “Abner Mikva and Officer Cali served the people of Illinois with integrity and honor,” said Kirk. “Abner Mikva was the embodiment of an honorable public servant, sharing his independent voice with each branch of government during his long career. Officer Cali bravely defended our country in the military and then fought to keep the streets of Chicago safe as a Chicago Police Officer, only to have his life stolen by the very violence he worked to prevent. These designations are a small token of gratitude for the sacrifice these men made for our state and our Nation.” Earlier this year, Senators Durbin and Kirk introduced legislation to designate the U.S. Post Office facility located at 1101 Davis Street in Evanston, Illinois, as the Abner J. Mikva Post Office Building. Abner Mikva, who passed away on July 4th at the age of 90, was a five-term Democratic congressman from Illinois, chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and White House Counsel for President Bill Clinton.   The U.S. Post Office facility located at 6300 N. Northwest Highway in Chicago will be designated as the Officer Joseph P. Cali Post Office Building. Vietnam War Veteran and Chicago Police Officer Joseph P. Cali was fatally killed on May 19, 1975, whi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-quigley-announce-chicago-post-office-to-be-renamed-after-officer-joseph-p-cali Durbin, Quigley Announce Chicago Post Office To Be Renamed After Officer Joseph P. Cali 2016-12-12 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.12.16 Durbin, Quigley Announce Chicago Post Office To Be Renamed After Officer Joseph P. Cali CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) announced the Senate passed legislation to designate the U.S. Post Office facility located at 6300 N. Northwest Highway in Chicago, Illinois as the Officer Joseph P. Cali Post Office Building. Vietnam War Veteran and Chicago Police Officer Joseph P. Cali was shot and killed on May 19, 1975, at the age of 31 while writing a parking ticket in the 2100 block of West Lake Street. He was survived by his wife, Neva, and two young daughters, Jennifer and Carolyn.   “Officer Cali was a true public servant, putting his life on the line in Vietnam and paying the ultimate sacrifice as a Chicago police officer at a tragically young age. He could not be more deserving of this recognition and honor,” said Durbin. “I am proud to join Congressman Quigley in this effort to recognize Officer Cali’s years of public service.”   “With the naming of this post office, I am proud to honor the bravery and service of Chicago police officer, Joseph P. Cali,” said Quigley. “Officer Cali made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and I know that this post office will pay tribute to his dedication to the City of Chicago and all its residents.”   In September, Senator Durbin sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs calling for legislation to designate this facility to be passed as soon as possible. Rep. Quigley introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to rename the U.S. Post Office in honor of Officer Cali in July.   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/durbins-bipartisan-bill-to-reauthorize-leasing-authority-at-arsenals-passes-senate Durbins Bipartisan Bill To Reauthorize Leasing Authority At Arsenals Passes Senate 2016-12-12 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.12.16 Durbin’s Bipartisan Bill To Reauthorize Leasing Authority At Arsenals Passes Senate CHICAGO – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) released the following statement after the Senate passed their bipartisan legislation, the Arsenal Installation Reutilization Authority, to reauthorize the leasing authority at Department of Defense arsenals and military instillations for unused office space to outside tenants: "This legislation provides the kind of thoughtful, engaged approach we need to ensure the continued health of Rock Island Arsenal since lease revenue is an important piece of its long-term economic sustainability," said Durbin. "I’m proud to have worked alongside my colleagues in the Illinois and Iowa Congressional Delegations on this important legislation, and I will continue to fight for federal investment for Rock Island in order to provide the Arsenal with the necessary tools to unlock its own economic potential‎."   "The Arsenal will now have the flexibility to attract more jobs to the Quad Cities as unnecessary bureaucratic red tape is eliminated,” said Kirk. “This legislation will encourage private investment and provide the Arsenal with more resources and personnel to maintain its strength and role as a leader in the defense industry."   “I am pleased the Senate passed this commonsense, bipartisan legislation to reduce government costs, which boosts our local economies,” said Ernst. “Importantly for the Quad Cities, this would allow the Rock Island Arsenal to resume their leasing authority, which expired in 2012, and continue attracting new businesses and jobs to the region. While I am disappointed this will not get a vote in the House this year, I will continue to fight through all possible routes to restore this authority for Rock Island Arsenal. This includes introducing this legislation again next year if necessary.” “It took a lot of work and negotiation by our bi-state delegation to ge… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://foster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-foster-d-il-statement-on-reported-trump-survey-of-0 Congressman Foster (D-IL) Statement on Reported Trump Survey of Department of Energy Scientists 2016-12-09 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Bill Foster F000454 foster.house.gov     legacy The report that President Elect Trump wants to identify civil servants at the Department of Energy who work on climate change and international diplomacy is deeply disturbing. It harkens back to an era when politicians sought out individuals for partisan politics with little basis of any wrongdoing. The United States has always been at the forefront of scientific inquiry and innovation. These Cold War era tactics threaten to undo the decades of progress we have made on climate change and to dissuade a new generation of scientists from tackling our world’s biggest problems. No one should have to work in fear of political retaliation. Our leaders should encourage an atmosphere of open research and scientific inquiry without political obstruction. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/guti-rrez-encouraged-bipartisan-bridge-act-seeks-house-measure-daca Gutirrez Encouraged By Bipartisan BRIDGE Act, Seeks House Measure for DACA DREAMers 2016-12-09 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Luis Gutiérrez G000535 gutierrez.house.gov     legacy Chicago – Today, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the bipartisan BRIDGE Act to protect DREAMers with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) by extending the program for three years.  Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) issued the following statement: I am going to do whatever I can to protect the children and young adults who signed up for DACA. Period.  They came forward because the President and many other leaders, including myself, asked them to register, go through the process, and trust that by following the rules they would be rewarded with the opportunity to stay in the only country they have ever known.  The DREAMers I know are worried about what a Trump Administration means for their future and their ability to work, study, and remain connected to their families.  This bill is a start and I plan to work with colleagues in both parties to introduce a similar effort in the House of Representatives. Obviously, the young people who have complied with the DACA program have stepped up as leaders for the entire immigrant community.  While this bill focuses on this specific group of DREAMers with DACA, the broader immigrant community deserves reassurance that the lives they have built in the United States – in most cases over decades – will not be erased.  I am committed to resisting any attempts at mass deportation, mass criminalization, mass registration, or mass demonization of immigrants who work hard and have contributed so much to America. I am very proud of Senator Graham and my Senator, Dick Durbin, who once again have stepped up in the Senate to lead the way.  There are dozens of men and women in the Republican Party in the House who have stepped up in the past and I expect to work with anyone who will join me and other Democrats in putting America’s immigrants in a safe place. Rep. Gutiérrez represents the Fourth District of Illinois, is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and is the Co-Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-visits-chicago-union-station-tour-infrastructure-discussion Quigley Visits Chicago Union Station for Tour, Infrastructure Discussion with Amtrak 2016-12-09 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Mike Quigley Q000023 quigley.house.gov     legacy CHICAGO – U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), joined Amtrak leadership at Chicago Union Station to discuss transportation infrastructure plans, improvement projects and accessibility priorities for the city of Chicago’s railways as part of his “Mike on the Move” initiative. “Safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options are essential in ensuring the continued prosperity of our city and our nation,” said Rep. Quigley. “Having the opportunity to see the progress on improvement projects for Chicago transportation firsthand highlights how critical these long-term, forward-thinking investments are in our efforts to modernize our infrastructure, which will help people and goods travel more safely and efficiently, all while reducing congestion, creating jobs, and stimulating local economies.” “We are proud of the progress we’ve made with improvements for all the users of the station, Amtrak customers and Metra passengers alike,” said Ray Lang, President of the Amtrak-owned Chicago Union Station Co. “We are in a Master Plan process to study the next steps toward remaking the transportation elements of the station, in partnership with the city of Chicago, Metra and the RTA.” During his tour, Rep. Quigley discussed the master plan for Chicago Union Station renovations with station leadership and toured the recent restoration of the Burlington Room, which previously served as the women’s lounge, as well as the new metropolitan lounge and the transit center. Currently, the design phase of the master plan is thirty percent complete. Rep. Quigley joins Suzanne Mosher, Senior Manager of Infrastructure Planning at Amtrak, and Paul Sanders, Senior Manager Facilities Management for Amtrak to discuss upcoming plans to continue expanding Union Station’s accommodations. “Our increase in passenger counts mean we’ve outgrown the 1990’s configuration of the concourse level and we need to better accommodate both our ri… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-calls-on-senate-colleagues-to-support-bridge-act-to-protect-dreamers Durbin Calls On Senate Colleagues To Support Bridge Act To Protect Dreamers 2016-12-09 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.09.16 Durbin Calls On Senate Colleagues To Support Bridge Act To Protect Dreamers WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor about new bipartisan legislation to ensure that the young undocumented immigrants known as DREAMers remain shielded from deportation under a Trump Administration. Like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act would provide temporary relief from deportation and work authorization to young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children.   “If DACA is eliminated, what happens to [DREAMers]? That’s been a concern and a fear, not just on this side of aisle, but on the other side as well. I’m happy to report that Senator Lindsey Graham has stepped forward. We’re working together on a measure we call the BRIDGE Act, which we are going to introduce today,” said Senator Durbin. “This is an effort by Senator Graham and myself to have a bipartisan answer to the question about what happens to these 800,000 and others like them while we debate the future of immigration.”   Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor are available here.   Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.   Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available for TV Stations using FTP in high definition and standard definition.   The BRIDGE Act would provide “provisional protected presence” and employment authorization to DACA-eligible individuals. A current DACA recipient would receive provisional protected status until the expiration date of his or her DACA status and could apply for provisional protected presence prior to this expiration. An individual who is not a DACA recipient but who is eligible for DACA could also apply for provisional protected presence. Applicants would be required to pay a reasonable fee, be subject to criminal background checks, and meet a number of eligibility criteria indicating that they came to the Un… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/graham-durbin-announce-bipartisan-bridge-act-to-protect-young-individuals-from-deportation Graham, Durbin Announce Bipartisan Bridge Act To Protect Young Individuals From Deportation 2016-12-09 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.09.16 Graham, Durbin Announce Bipartisan Bridge Act To Protect Young Individuals From Deportation WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced they are introducing bipartisan legislation to protect young undocumented individuals should the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program be discontinued. U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) are original cosponsors of the bill.   Like DACA, the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act would provide temporary relief from deportation and work authorization to young undocumented individuals who were brought to the United States as children.   “It’s my firm belief most Americans want to fix a broken immigration system in a humane manner,” said Graham.  “In my view, the DACA Executive Order issued by President Obama was unconstitutional and President-elect Trump would be right to repeal it.  However, I do not believe we should pull the rug out and push these young men and women -- who came out of the shadows and registered with the federal government -- back into the darkness.  Our legislation continues to provide legal status to them for three years as Congress seeks a permanent solution.  These young people have much to offer the country and we stand to benefit from the many contributions they will make to America.  I’m confident that if President-elect Trump were to support this measure we can repeal the unconstitutional Executive Order and Congress will provide temporary legal status through the proper constitutional process.”   “DREAMers have so much to contribute to this country, their country, and they’ve demonstrated their commitment to the United States in countless ways – by opening businesses, becoming doctors and teachers, and serving in uniform,” said Senator Durbin. “That’s why I’m proud to work with Senator Graham to ensure that DREAMers are protected from deportation until we are able to provide a permanent fi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://rush.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-rush-senator-booker-introduce-concurrent-resolution-to-address Rep. Rush & Senator Booker Introduce Concurrent Resolution to Address Exorbitant Prison Phone Rates 2016-12-08 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Bobby Rush R000515 rush.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.), joined by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), introduced a Concurrent Resolution to address exorbitant prison phone rates between the imprisoned and their loved ones. Since the 109th Congress, Rep. Rush, a senior member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, has introduced federal legislation and advocated nationally for dramatically reducing exorbitant rates that are charged for phone calls between inmates and their families. In 2005, Rep. Rush first introduced the Family Telephone Connection Protection Act to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate exorbitant, interstate calling rates for prison phone calls between parents, spouses and families with children. Rep. Rush has reintroduced this legislation in every subsequent Congress to put an end to the kickbacks — also known as site commissions — received by prisons based on incoming and outgoing calls between inmates and their loved ones. A diverse coalition of both liberal and conservative groups has also called for regulatory action to resolve this matter. The exorbitant and costly fees that American families incur to phone incarcerated loved ones are financially draining. According to Prison Legal News, more than two million Americans are housed within prison walls. “For last decade, I have sought to end the ‘family divide,’ a term analogous to the ‘digital divide’ that exists with regard to unequal access to communication services between incarcerated members of our society and their loved ones,” said Rep. Rush. “I firmly believe that communication, along with the ability to express love toward family, is a fundamental need, and one’s humanity does not perish when they enter the prison system.” Senator Booker, a long time champion for prison reforms understands the dire need for solutions to decreasing prison populations. The U.S. makes up about five percent of the world’s population, but comprises nearly 25 percent of the world’s prison population. In an effort to… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://rush.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rush-introduces-two-legislative-initiatives-the-laquan-mcdonald-camera Rush Introduces Two Legislative Initiatives: The Laquan McDonald Camera Act and the Family Reconstruction Act 2016-12-08 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Bobby Rush R000515 rush.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) introduced two legislative initiatives that address social and economic injustices in policing and public policy. Rush introduced the Laquan McDonald Camera Act which will require state and local law enforcement agencies to have in effect, and enforce, a policy regarding the use of body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras in order to receive federal funds. Rush also introduced the Family Reconstruction Act that seeks to establish a commission to study family reconstruction proposals for African-Americans unjustly impacted by the ‘‘War on Drugs’’. The Laquan McDonald Camera Act comes as result of the countless incidents of police violence that are lacking camera footage, even when body cameras and/or dashboard cameras were available on-scene. Rush named the bill to honor 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. When McDonald, who was shot 16 times by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke in 2014, was shot, dashboard cameras were on scene and functioning but the audio functionality had allegedly been disabled. In the past five years, dozens of cases of police shootings from across the country depicted murders of individuals for routine traffic stops or minor infractions. The Family Reconstruction Act will create a commission to acknowledge the fundamental injustice and the subsequent de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans impacted by the ‘‘War on Drugs’’. Rush believes the War on Drugs has played a disparate and discriminatory role in the mass incarceration that has focused too harshly on African-American families. The responsibilities of the commission are to determine the role that the government and private corporations played in the prison industrial complex, make recommendations to Congress on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes. The “War on Drugs” launched by former President Richard J. Nixon began nearly 40 years ago and disproportionately impacted African-American families. Despite roughly equal rates of dr… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bustos.house.gov/bustos-lipinski-jones-introduce-bipartisan-buy-america-legislation/ Bustos, Lipinski and Jones Introduce Bipartisan Buy America Legislation 2016-12-08 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Cheri Bustos B001286 bustos.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-03) and Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-03) introduced the Buy America for Drinking Water Extension Act. This bipartisan legislation would create jobs and grow the economy by ensuring that all iron and steel products used for projects in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) are made entirely in the United States. “Growing our local economy and boosting the manufacturing industry in our region have always been among my top priorities – that’s why I’m introducing this bipartisan, common-sense ‘Buy America’ legislation,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “Our state and federally funded construction projects should use American-made steel and iron while benefitting American workers. I’m proud to join Representatives Lipinski and Jones in this effort, and I will continue to fight for Illinois’ manufacturers and working families.” “We must strengthen Buy America laws and close the loopholes that allow our tax dollars to employ foreign workers rather than Americans,” Congressman Lipinski said.  “Buying American is one of the fastest and most effective ways to create jobs and give the overall economy a boost.  This legislation would help ensure that we are supporting American workers, especially the hard-working middle class.” “I believe that taxpayer dollars should solely support American-made infrastructure. Unfortunately, current provisions in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund are weak and Buy America text is only written for FY 2017,” Congressman Jones said. “Representatives Cheri Bustos, Dan Lipinski and I introduced this legislation to ensure Congress never puts a limit on supporting this country’s economy.” Many infrastructure projects are subject to “Buy America” provisions that require the use of American-made iron and steel. This fall, the Senate passed their version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), including a permanent “Buy America” requirement for projects funded by the DWSRF. Last week, Representativ… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3145 Lipinski, Bustos, and Jones Introduce Bipartisan "Buy America" Legislation 2016-12-08 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Daniel Lipinski L000563 lipinski.house.gov     legacy Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3), Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), and Congressman Walter Jones (NC-3) have introduced the Buy America for Drinking Water Extension Act.  This bipartisan legislation would create jobs and grow the economy by ensuring that all iron and steel products used for projects in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) are made entirely in the United States. “We must strengthen Buy America laws and close the loopholes that allow our tax dollars to employ foreign workers rather than Americans,” said Rep. Lipinski.  “Buying American is one of the fastest and most effective ways to create jobs and give the overall economy a boost.  This legislation would help ensure that we are supporting American workers, especially the hard-working middle class.” “Growing our local economy and boosting the manufacturing industry in our region have always been among my top priorities – that’s why I’m introducing this bipartisan, common-sense 'Buy America' legislation,” Congresswoman Bustos said.  “Our state and federally funded construction projects should use American-made steel and iron while benefitting American workers.  I’m proud to join Representatives Lipinski and Jones in this effort, and I will continue to fight for Illinois’ manufacturers and working families.” “I believe that taxpayer dollars should solely support American-made infrastructure.  Unfortunately, current provisions in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund are weak and Buy America text is only written for FY 2017,” Congressman Jones said.  “Representatives Cheri Bustos, Dan Lipinski, and I introduced this legislation to ensure that Congress never puts a limit on supporting this country’s economy.” Many infrastructure projects are subject to “Buy America” provisions that require the use of American-made iron and steel.  In the fall, the Senate passed their version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), including a permanent “Buy America” requirement for projects funded by the DWSRF.  Last week, Represen… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3149 Lipinski Helps House Pass Water Infrastructure Bill to Boost Economy and Protect the Environment 2016-12-08 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Daniel Lipinski L000563 lipinski.house.gov     legacy Today, Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) helped the House pass the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WINN), formerly known as the Water Resources Development Act or WRDA.  The bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop and maintain America’s vital inland water infrastructure, including the locks and dams that mitigate flooding and facilitate commerce along the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal which runs through the Third Congressional District.  It also contains a number of important provisions Lipinski supported to help clean up the Great Lakes and prevent the spread of invasive species. In addition, the bill includes an amendment led by Rep. Lipinski in the House Transportation Committee that requires the Corps of Engineers to publish an annual report on the amount of foreign goods they are procuring for use in civil works construction projects.  “Not only do American taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent, but my amendment allows domestic manufacturers to analyze the Corps’ needs and find ways to work with them to keep American manufacturing competitive,” said Rep. Lipinski.  “Overall, WIIN invests in one of our greatest resources, our vast transportation network served by ships and barges.  It modernizes critical parts of this network, which will help lead to economic growth and middle-class jobs for the district and the nation.” The bill also includes legislation Lipinski co-sponsored to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which enables projects that clean up the Great Lakes basin, restore habitat, and prevent the spread of invasive species.  Additionally, the bill sets aside money for the Great Lakes Navigation System to improve harbors. As Co-Chair of the Buy American Caucus, Lipinski worked to include a permanent Buy America provision in the bill that would apply to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). “Unfortunately, we were only able to get a one year application of Buy America requirements to the drinkin… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-statement-nomination-andy-puzder-labor-secretary Quigley Statement on Nomination of Andy Puzder for Labor Secretary 2016-12-08 2016 2016-12 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 announcement that Andy Puzder, the CEO of CKE Restaurants, is President-Elect Trump’s nominee for Labor Secretary: The President-elect’s selection of Andy Puzder for Labor Secretary proves that the incoming administration has no intention of being a friend to the American worker. As CEO of CKE Restaurants, Mr. Puzder has openly voiced his opposition to increasing the minimum wage, providing paid sick leave, and expanding overtime pay requirements. Just as troubling are the reports of years of labor violations that have occurred at Carl’s Jr. restaurants, of which CKE is the parent company. Our country deserves a Labor Secretary that will stand up for workers rights, strengthen our unions, and fight to close the widening income inequality gap so that our economic recovery is felt by all Americans. Instead the President-elect has chosen a person that will be more focused on enriching billionaire executives than growing and supporting the middle class. That is unacceptable, and I stand ready to hold Mr. Puzder accountable to his responsibilities on behalf of the hard-working families he will be obligated to protect. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov//news/press-releases/senator-elect-tammy-duckworth-announces-senior-staff-appointments Senator-elect Tammy Duckworth Announces Senior Staff Appointments 2016-12-08 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Tammy Duckworth D000622 www.duckworth.senate.gov     legacy December 08, 2016 Senator-elect Tammy Duckworth Announces Senior Staff Appointments HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL- Senator-elect Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced she will appointment several senior staff members in her new U.S. Senate office next year. Her leadership team will retain the entire senior staff from her Eighth District Congressional Office. Duckworth will be sworn in as Illinois' junior U.S. Senator on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017. "I'm so pleased to have Kaitlin, Kalina, Cameron and the rest of my incredibly strong leadership team joining me as senior advisors in the Senate next year," said Senator-elect Duckworth. "Their experience and talent will help them hit the ground running in their roles and go a long way toward ensuring that my work to help Illinois families, grow small businesses and support our Veterans is successful." The following Senate office senior staff members were announced today: Kaitlin Fahey, Chief of Staff - An Elmhurst native, Fahey has served Senator-elect Duckworth since 2006 in several roles, including as Chief of Staff in her House office, as a senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and--most recently--as Campaign Manager of Duckworth's successful Senate race. Kalina Bakalov, Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director - Bakalov currently serves as the Congresswoman's House Chief of Staff. She has more than 7 years of experience on Capitol Hill, including as Legislative Director in Senator-elect Duckworth's House office, which she joined in 2013. Cameron Joost, State Director - A Springfield resident, Joost joined Senator-elect Duckworth's campaign as Political Director this year. She served as Downstate Political Director on U.S. Senator Dick Durbin's (D-IL) successful 2014 re-election campaign and in his Springfield Senate office for more than 4 years. She also spent nearly 3 years on staff at the Illinois State Senate Democratic Caucus in Springfield. Marina Faz-Huppert, Chicago Director - Faz-Huppert joined Senator-ele… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-senators-call-on-pres-elect-trump-to-stand-against-russian-aggression-support-nato-ukrainian-sovereignty Bipartisan Senators Call On Pres.-Elect Trump To Stand Against Russian Aggression, Support NATO, Ukrainian Sovereignty 2016-12-08 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.08.16 Bipartisan Senators Call On Pres.-Elect Trump To Stand Against Russian Aggression, Support NATO, Ukrainian Sovereignty Call for increased political, economic, and military support for Ukraine WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), co-chairs of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, today led a bipartisan group of 27 senators to call on President-elect Donald Trump to continue America’s tradition of support for the people of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.   “In light of Russia’s continued aggression and repeated refusal to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereign right to choose its own destiny, we also renew our call for the United States to increase political, economic, and military support for Ukraine,” the senators wrote. “This includes defensive lethal assistance as part of a broader effort to help Ukrainians better defend themselves, deter future aggression, and implement key structural reforms.  Similarly, we believe that Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea should never be accepted, nor should we lift sanctions imposed on Russia for its behavior in eastern Ukraine until key provisions of the Minsk Agreement are met.  Accordingly, U.S. leadership on maintaining such transatlantic sanctions should remain a priority.”   Full text of the senators’ letter:   December 8, 2016   President-elect Donald J. Trump Trump-Pence Transition Team 1717 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20006   Dear President-elect Trump,   As Members and friends of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, advocates for a strong US-Ukrainian relationship, and backers of NATO, we write to convey strong, bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States Senate.  We look forward to working with you and your new administration to support our ally Ukraine and help it secure a peaceful and democratic future.   Almost three years after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and military aggr… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://foster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-foster-d-il-responds-to-reported-nomination-of-epa-head Statement: Congressman Foster (D-IL) Responds to Reported Nomination of EPA Head 2016-12-07 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Bill Foster F000454 foster.house.gov     legacy This reported nomination is just another example of the Republican Party’s difficult relationship with science. As the only PhD scientist in Congress, I am deeply concerned at the long-term damage this decision will have on our environment. The science is very clear – climate change is real, and human activity is a major contributor. This pick threatens to undo the progress President Obama has made on climate change and protecting our natural resources. Scott Pruitt has a long history of representing the interests of the fossil fuel industry at the expense of the long-term health of our planet and our fellow Americans. The American people deserve leaders who will work for their best interests, not the promotion of special interests. The natural beauty that makes this world so wonderful, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the livelihoods of our children and grandchildren are all at risk if we fail to remain vigilant to threats to our environment. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bustos.house.gov/icymi-congresswoman-bustos-elected-critical-role-democratic-party-leadership/ ICYMI: Congresswoman Bustos Elected to Critical Role in Democratic Party Leadership 2016-12-07 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Cheri Bustos B001286 bustos.house.gov     legacy Bustos will have a “Key Voice” in House Democrats’ Effort to Reach Working Families in America’s Heartland WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, Congresswoman Bustos’ election to join Democratic House Leadership as the new Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) has garnered major coverage across our country. Below are several stories about her new role: NBC Chicago: After being elected to a leadership role in the House Democratic Caucus Monday, Rep. Cheri Bustos is primed to shape outreach and communications efforts for a party that suffered a series of pivotal losses in November’s election. Bustos was tapped to co-chair the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee after winning every county in her downstate swing district last month.” … Bustos stressed the importance of continuing to incorporate jobs and the economy into Democratic messaging and outreach, encouraging members of her party to talk about those issues “in a way people understand.” … “I can’t predict exactly what’s going to happen under the Trump Administration, but I do know this, we have to continue talking to working families,” Bustos said. “We have to continue to talk about our solutions, and we’ve got great ones.” Quad-City Times: And as Democrats across the country try to figure out what went wrong on Election Day, one of the questions they’re asking is how to appeal again to rural and small-town voters. It appears Bustos, in particular, will be a key voice on that. Dispatch Argus: On Tuesday, Rep. Bustos said Democrats must talk about what they are doing to make things better for working families. “We’ve got to talk about jobs and the economy,” she said. That includes equal pay for equal work, Rep. Bustos said, and providing tax incentives to companies that keep jobs in the U.S. and denying them to companies that would move them out. NPR Morning Edition: Bustos: “You know, we’ve got to make this about families and working families. That is my family’s background. I come from a long line of farmers. I’m a gra… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/64-democrats-call-president-obama-pardon-dreamers-daca 64 Democrats Call on President Obama to Pardon DREAMers with DACA 2016-12-07 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Luis Gutiérrez G000535 gutierrez.house.gov     legacy Video and Photo Links Below Washington, DC – Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) was joined by more than a dozen of his House Democratic colleagues at a press conference this morning where a new letter to President Obama, signed by 64 Members of Congress, was released.  The letter asks President Obama to “exercise your Constitutional authority to provide pardons to young people who are American in every way but on paper.”  A presidential pardon for DREAMers with DACA, those brought to the United States as children who signed up for the President’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals initiative, could make it harder for President Donald Trump to deport them and could open up for certain DREAMers a path to legal status under current law.  Last month, in response to a similar plea from Rep. Gutiérrez and his two key pro-immigrant allies – Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) – the White House rejected the pardon idea by stating the President could not grant legal status and that pardons are primarily used for criminal violations, not civil violations of immigration law.  But the three lawmakers, joined by scores of House colleagues, are pushing back, saying in the new letter: The Constitution specifically does not limit the pardon power to criminal offenses.  We ask for the narrow reprieve of a retroactive and prospective pardon of categorical civil immigration violations for a unique group of young immigrants who have placed their trust in both you as their President and us as their lawmakers.  To be clear we are not asking you to “create legal status.” In his remarks at the press conference, Rep. Gutiérrez said: We fought our own President for the [DACA] initiative and we fought hard.  We have a responsibility to stand with the DREAMers and we feel the President has a responsibility to stand with us and with the DREAMers.  The message [to President-elect Donald Trump] is simple, if you come for DREAMers, if you come for immigrant families, if you register Muslims, if you put in motion… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-statement-nomination-scott-pruitt-epa-administrator Quigley Statement on Nomination of Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator 2016-12-07 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Mike Quigley Q000023 quigley.house.gov     legacy Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), released the following statement on the announcement that Scott Pruitt, the attorney general of Oklahoma, is President-Elect Trump’s nominee for EPA Administrator: Protecting our land, water, and air is a critical responsibility and our solemn duty to present and future generations. Doing our part to battle the ever-worsening impacts of man-made climate change is vital to ensuring a future where Americans have a place to live, food to eat, and a high standard of living fueled by a robust economy. Given his previous statements rejecting the overwhelming science supporting the fact that climate change is man-made, his record opposing the Obama Administration’s efforts to address the climate crisis, his hostility toward common-sense environmental regulations on the oil and gas industries, as well as his previous ties to those corporations, I have grave reservations about Scott Pruitt’s ability to run the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA is legally required to regulate climate-warming carbon emissions and a variety of other pollutants in order to protect America’s precious natural resources. I hope Mr. Pruitt will have a change of heart and demonstrate that he is willing to take the positive steps needed to usher in a low-carbon, environmentally responsible future and champion smart policies that help seize the opportunities of a clean economy and preserve the health and well-being of all Americans. However, if he chooses to fight environmental protections, ignore the potential of clean energy, and prioritize fossil fuel exploration at the expense of the planet, I stand ready to challenge his actions and hold the EPA accountable to its mission and its responsibilities on behalf of the American people. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-urges-president-obama-protect-dreamers-president-elect-trump-s Quigley Urges President Obama to Protect DREAMers from President-Elect Trumps Deportation Pledges 2016-12-07 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Mike Quigley Q000023 quigley.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), joined House Democratic colleagues at a press conference on their joint letter to President Obama asking him to carefully consider a presidential pardon as part of a strategy to protect DREAMers from President-Elect Trump’s deportation pledges. Rep. Quigley has previously hosted immigration action information sessions to help immigrants prepare for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) application periods. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery. “I applauded President Obama when he created the DACA program in 2012. The program represented a crucial first step towards reforming a broken system and providing a reprieve to the people directly impacted by Congress’s failures. “While the program has benefited approximately 750,000 young people, giving them the ability to come out of the shadows; it has also required them to put their trust in the government–submitting detailed personal information about themselves and their families, including fingerprints, addresses, employment records, and more. “We do not yet know what changes the DACA program faces with the new administration. “However, the inflammatory rhetoric we’ve seen from President-elect Trump suggests that he could exploit the information DREAMers have provided to the government, in order to deport these hard-working young people and their families. “By protecting DREAMers with a pardon from civil immigration violations, we can send a clear message to young undocumented immigrants living in fear that President Obama and many members of Congress continue to stand with them during these uncertain times. “America is stronger when we give young immigrants, who have known no other home than the United States, a chance to succeed in the country they love.” ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-graham-statement-on-trump-comments-on-dreamers Durbin, Graham Statement on Trump Comments on DREAMers 2016-12-07 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.07.16 Durbin, Graham Statement on Trump Comments on DREAMers WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) released the following statement on comments made to Time magazine by President-elect Donald Trump, who said, “We’re going to work something out that’s going to make people happy and proud. They got brought here at a very young age, they’ve worked here, they’ve gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they’re in never-never land because they don’t know what’s going to happen.”   “We’re encouraged by these comments by President-elect Trump — they present an opportunity to do the right thing for more than 744,000 young people who grew up here. There is bipartisan support for this in the Senate and we will soon have a legislative response ready if needed.  They have much to contribute to the country they love.”   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-pays-tribute-to-vice-president-joe-biden-on-senate-floor Durbin Pays Tribute To Vice President Joe Biden On Senate Floor 2016-12-07 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.07.16 Durbin Pays Tribute To Vice President Joe Biden On Senate Floor WASHINGTON—In a Senate floor speech Wednesday, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) paid tribute to Vice President Joe Biden, with whom he served in the Senate for 12 years:   “Mr. Vice President, for more than 40 years you have taken all the strength and wisdom you learned from your family, and all of your own experiences with loss and hardship, and you have used those lessons to give countless millions of people in Chicago, in America, and around the world, reasons to hope and ways to heal. You are a public servant in the best sense of that term,” said Durbin. “You may be leaving public office soon, but I know that you will never leave your calling to help others in every way you can.  It’s part of being a Biden. On behalf of a grateful nation and world, I want to say to you – and to Jill and all of your family – thank you for making hope and history rhyme.”   Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor are available here.   Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.   Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available for TV Stations using FTP in high definition and standard definition.   Durbin’s remarks as prepared for delivery are available below:   Remarks of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin Honoring Vice President Joe Biden December 7, 2016   Mr. Vice President: For eight years, seeing you in that seat has always filled many of us with hope. It almost always meant that something big, something historic, was about to happen--   Seeing you seated in the Senate President’s desk today evokes different emotions for many of us: Regrets that a momentous chapter in America’s history is about to close; Pride at what we have achieved during these last eight years; and most of all, respect and gratitude to you for the essential role you played in those achievements and so many others.   The highest praise your old friend Ted Kennedy could give a person in our line of work was to say:  “You ha… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-thanks-education-secretary-king-pushes-for-relief-for-corinthian-westwood-and-other-defrauded-students Durbin Thanks Education Secretary King, Pushes For Relief For Corinthian, Westwood, And Other Defrauded Students 2016-12-07 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.07.16 Durbin Thanks Education Secretary King, Pushes For Relief For Corinthian, Westwood, And Other Defrauded Students WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. to thank him for his dedication and service to students at the U.S. Department of Education. They also discussed high-priority issues that still need to be addressed by the Department before the end of the Obama Administration, including student loan debt relief for Corinthian, Westwood, and other defrauded students.   “For the past year, I have had the honor of working with Secretary King to bring accountability to a for-profit college industry that once exploited students and fleeced taxpayers with near impunity. With the leadership of President Obama and Secretary King, we’ve made great progress in the effort to give parents and students more information about these schools and to ensure there are consequences when schools are not living up to their promises,” said Durbin. “I encouraged Secretary King to make relief for defrauded students, including those who attended Corinthian and Westwood Colleges, a top priority in the remaining days of this Administration. Providing the relief to which these students are legally entitled is the right thing to do.”   A photo of today’s meeting is available here.   In February 2011, King was appointed by United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to serve on the U.S. Department of Education's Equity and Excellence Commission. In the fall of 2015, when then-Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that he would resign at the end of the year, President Obama announced that King would succeed Duncan. On March 14, 2016, King was approved to be Secretary of Education by the United States Senate after a 49-40 vote. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Articl… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bustos.house.gov/congresswoman-cheri-bustos-elected-democratic-house-leadership/ Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Elected to Democratic House Leadership 2016-12-06 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Cheri Bustos B001286 bustos.house.gov     legacy Bustos Will Serve as Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee where she will work to Deliver Democrats’ Working Families First Agenda to America’s Heartland WASHINGTON – Late last night, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) was elected by her colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus to join the ranks of leadership. Congresswoman Bustos will serve as one of three Co-Chairs of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) in the next Congress. In this new leadership role, Congresswoman Bustos will work to improve the Democratic Party’s outreach and communications efforts to underscore the values Democrats are fighting for and hear the frustration that’s being felt in rural communities. “I’m honored the Democratic Caucus has elected me to serve in this new leadership position, and I want to thank my colleagues for their commitment to a thriving 21st Century heartland,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “Over the years, rural America has seen too many small businesses on Main Street board up their windows and too many manufacturing jobs shipped overseas. In many of these communities, there’s a very real sense that they’ve been left behind, and we saw that frustration on Election Day. As a party, Democrats have always believed in a vision for our country that puts working families first, but it’s clear we need to do a better job listening and speaking with hard working men and women to earn their trust. Right now, President-elect Trump and House Republicans are talking about proposals to take health care coverage away from millions of Americans, end Medicare as we know it and allow greed on Wall Street to put the economic security of all Americans at risk. These types of proposals would take our country in the wrong direction and would be devastating to our communities. As we head into 2017, we will be drawing a clear contrast between Washington Republican’s billionaires-first platform and the working families-first agenda Democrats are fighting for each and every day.” First elected to a lar… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/two-state-solution-still-path-peace-middle-east Two State Solution Is Still The Path To Peace In The Middle East 2016-12-06 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Luis Gutiérrez G000535 gutierrez.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC – Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) spoke this morning on the floor of the House of Representatives about Middle East policy, Israel’s turn to hardline policies, and the jeopardy this poses for the “two state solution,” a path towards a Palestinian and Israeli state coexisting. Rep. Gutiérrez said:Comparing Netanyahu’s leadership to that of a “strongman,” Rep. Gutiérrez cited moves in the Israeli Knesset to legalize settlements in the West Bank, destroy Palestinian homes, and restrict the Muslim call to prayer in Jerusalem as examples of recent actions, saying “strongman politics in Israel have the impact of making a long-lasting solution that brings peace to the Middle East harder to achieve.” The full text of the speech (as prepared for delivery) is below.Rep. Gutiérrez represents the Fourth District of Illinois, is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and is the Co-Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Mr. Speaker, I am very concerned about what is going on in Israel and I think it has implications both for U.S. foreign policy and for domestic policy and for our great ally, Israel. As the right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu consolidates power and becomes in many ways the one-party rulers of Israel, a number of things are changing that should be of concern to all Americans. Specifically, the increasing dominance of the Likud Party as the one-party in Israel jeopardizes the two state solution that I and many others in the United States and Israel feel is the only way to achieve long-term peace in the Middle East. There is a retrenchment of hard line policies – aimed at solidifying alliances with smaller religious and hardline parties that keeps Likud in power -- that will make it harder for Israelis and their allies in America – and anyone who seeks a lasting peace – to maintain progress towards a two state solution. Right now, the Knesset is considering legislation to legalize all Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory on the West Bank, even those… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/democratic-senators-urge-education-department-to-protect-students-and-taxpayers-should-for-profit-accreditor-lose-federal-recognition Democratic Senators Urge Education Department To Protect Students And Taxpayers Should For-Profit Accreditor Lose Federal Recognition 2016-12-06 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.06.16 Democratic Senators Urge Education Department To Protect Students And Taxpayers Should For-Profit Accreditor Lose Federal Recognition Senators have been leading critics of deadbeat ACICS which accredited now defunct Corinthian, ITT Tech, and Westwood Colleges WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today called on the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to take steps to protect students and taxpayers in the event that the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), currently the nation’s largest accreditor of for-profit colleges, loses federal recognition. ACICS losing federal recognition would require the approximately 250 schools currently accredited by ACICS to receive new accreditation from a federally recognized accreditor in order to remain eligible for Title IV federal student aid.   “It is likely some of these schools may not seek or may not receive new federally-recognized accreditation, leading to eventual loss of Title IV eligibility and potential closure, which could leave thousands of remaining students in the lurch,” wrote the senators in a letter to Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell. “Also concerning is the potential for some former ACICS-accredited institutions, while provisionally certified, to attempt to amass as much federal student aid funding as possible to pad the pockets of executives and shareholders without any possibility or intention of continuing once the provisional period has expired.”   In September, the Department made a decision to withdraw federal recognition from ACICS following a recommendation from the independent National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. That decision is now pending appeal to the Secretary.   In the letter, the senators outlined steps the Department can take using its current authority to prot… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-protecting-dreamers-is-the-right-thing-to-do Durbin: protecting dreamers is the right thing to do 2016-12-06 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.06.16 Durbin: protecting dreamers is the right thing to do Continues to Tell the Stories of Undocumented Youth in America WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today returned to floor of the U.S. Senate to share the story of Chicago lawyer Laura Alvarado, another young undocumented immigrant at risk of deportation if President-elect Donald Trump discontinues the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. He also called on his Senate colleagues to work in a bipartisan manner to keep DREAMers from being deported to countries where they haven’t lived since childhood.   Last week, Durbin announced that he is working with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham to craft a potential legislative solution that would provide a temporary legal status to these young immigrants while Congress works on legislation to fix our broken immigration system.   “Now the choice is up to Congress. Are we going to step in and give Laura the chance that she asks for, to prove herself again as she has so many times in her young life? I’m glad to say that Lindsey Graham, the senator from South Carolina, and I are joining in an effort to draw up legislation to achieve that goal and at least to give those eligible for DACA a temporary reprieve so if there is elimination of this executive action, we don't eliminate the protection that keeps them here in the United States, where they cannot be deported, and they have a chance to work. That’s something we need to do not just for Laura, but for 744,000 others as well, young people who grew up in this country and just deserve a chance to make this a better nation,” said Durbin.   Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor are available here.   Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.   Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available for TV Stations using FTP in high definition and standard definition.   Senator Durbin has been a leadi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-statement-on-education-department-decision-to-end-federal-student-aid-for-two-more-acics-accredited-schools Durbin Statement On Education Department Decision To End Federal Student Aid For Two More ACICS-Accredited Schools 2016-12-06 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.06.16 Durbin Statement On Education Department Decision To End Federal Student Aid For Two More ACICS-Accredited Schools WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced it would terminate the participation of Globe University and Minnesota School of Business in the Title IV federal student loan program. The announcement comes after a Minnesota judge ruled in September that the for-profit colleges defrauded and misled students.   “It’s no surprise that Globe University and Minnesota School of Business, found guilty in Minnesota court of deceptive practices, were both accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools – the same deadbeat accreditor that accredited the now-defunct Corinthian, ITT Tech, and Westwood Colleges,” said Durbin. “Today’s decision by the Department of Education to withdraw Title IV eligibility from these schools shows that even in the waning days of this Administration the commitment to protecting students and taxpayers remains strong. I call on Secretary King to provide automatic federal student loan discharges to Globe and Minnesota School of Business students on the basis of the court’s findings.”   In 2014, Globe and Minnesota School of Business each received over $25 million in financial aid dollars from the federal government.     Today, Senator Durbin joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in calling on the Department of Education to take steps to protect students and taxpayers in the event that the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) loses federal recognition. ACICS losing federal recognition would require the approximately 250 schools currently accredited by ACICS to receive new accreditation from a federally recognized accreditor in order to remain eligible for Title IV federal student aid.   In September, the Department made a decision to withdraw fed… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-thanks-attorney-general-lynch-discusses-need-for-action-on-high-priority-issues Durbin Thanks Attorney General Lynch, Discusses Need For Action On High-Priority Issues 2016-12-06 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.06.16 Durbin Thanks Attorney General Lynch, Discusses Need For Action On High-Priority Issues WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to thank her for her dedication and service in the Department of Justice.  They also discussed high-priority issues that still need to be addressed by Congress and the Department of Justice, like reforms to federal sentencing law.   “I want to thank Loretta Lynch for her outstanding service as our nation’s 83rd Attorney General. She has been a dedicated advocate for the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans,” said Durbin. “I have appreciated working with her on many issues important to Illinois, including reforming our criminal justice and prison systems and combating the scourges of gun violence, opioid abuse, and hate crimes. She broke down barriers as America’s first African-American woman to lead the Department of Justice, serving as an inspiration to young people across the country of all backgrounds.”   On November 8, 2014, President Obama nominated Lynch to succeed Eric Holder as U.S. Attorney General. On April 23, 2015, Lynch was confirmed by the Senate by a 56–43 vote, making her the second African-American, the second woman, and the first African-American woman to be confirmed for the position. 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-thanks-transportation-secretary-pushes-for-critical-illinois-priorities Durbin Thanks Transportation Secretary, Pushes For Critical Illinois Priorities 2016-12-06 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.06.16 Durbin Thanks Transportation Secretary, Pushes For Critical Illinois Priorities WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called United States Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx to thank him for his dedication and service in leading the Department of Transportation (DOT). They also discussed the need for DOT to fund priority Illinois projects as the Obama Administration draws to a close, including a full funding agreement for the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red and Purple Modernization Program, FASTLANE grants, Chicago Union Station Emerging Projects Agreement (EmPA), and more.   “Secretary Foxx’s previous job as the Mayor of Charlotte gave him personal experience and an understanding of the importance of federal transportation funding to local communities,” said Durbin. “He was instrumental in securing the bipartisan, five-year highway and transit reauthorization bill last year, which will allow our communities to make significant, long term investments in our national infrastructure. Illinois’ neighborhoods are at the heart of our national transportation network, and it has been an honor to work with Secretary Foxx on many of our local transportation projects.”   President Obama nominated Foxx to be the Secretary of Transportation in April 2013, and he was confirmed by a 100-0 vote in June 2013.   Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bustos.house.gov/congresswoman-cheri-bustos-announces-internship-opportunities-illinois-offices/ Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Announces Internship Opportunities in Illinois Offices 2016-12-05 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Cheri Bustos B001286 bustos.house.gov     legacy ROCK ISLAND – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos announced that she is accepting internship applications for her offices in Rock Island, Peoria and Rockford. “Internships are an invaluable opportunity for young people from our community to learn more about the work we do on behalf of families across Illinois’ 17th Congressional District,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “It’s also a chance to give back to our region and to become involved in public service. I encourage all those interested to apply for an internship in one of my offices today.” Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Lucie.VanHecke@mail.house.gov with “Intern Application” in the subject line. Admissions to the internship program are rolling. More information on Bustos’ internship program can be found HERE.   ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/106-members-congress-call-obama-protect-immigrants-private-data 106 Members of Congress Call on Obama to Protect Immigrants Private Data 2016-12-05 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Luis Gutiérrez G000535 gutierrez.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC – Today, 106 Members of Congress sent a letter to President Obama requesting that he take action to protect the names and private information of those who enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) programs. The letter, led by Reps. Judy Chu (CA-27), Zoe Lofgren (CA-29), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), and Luis Gutierrez (IL-04), specifically suggests an Executive Order that would prohibit the use of DACA enrollees’ information for purposes other than originally intended, including for purposes of deportation. The letter was endorsed by National Immigration Law Center (NILC), the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), and Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). The authors of the letter released the following statements: “When the government offered protection to immigrants if they worked hard, laid roots, went to school, and followed the laws, thousands acted on trust. Now that they’ve handed us names, addresses, birth certificates, and biometric information, we have to honor that trust,” said Rep. Judy Chu. “Further, President-elect Trump has said that his priority is to deport those who are a danger to our country. By qualifying for DACA or DAPA, these immigrants are by definition not a threat to our country, but rather assets. I urge President Obama to take immediate executive action to protect these Dreamers before he leaves office.” “The President, along with many Democratic Members of Congress, urged these young immigrants to come out of the shadows, and to register with the government on the premise that they may live without fear of deportation,” said Rep. Lofgren. “Now, with that assurance shattered, those of us who urged for and help implement the DACA program have a moral responsibility to do what we can to protect these young people from deportation under a Trump administration.” “To misuse personal DACA information to tear away young men… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3141 Lipinski Reacts to USDOT Approval of Norwegian Air Scheme That Will Destroy American Jobs 2016-12-05 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Daniel Lipinski L000563 lipinski.house.gov     legacy Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved Norwegian Air International's (NAI) petition to operate long-haul flights to the U.S.: “The DOT’s decision puts domestic airlines at a competitive disadvantage and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of American workers.  NAI’s flag-of-convenience business model undermines international labor standards and fair competition.  Despite the Norwegian name, NAI seeks to operate aircraft registered in Ireland by crews working under Singaporean employment contracts. “Since 2014, I have been working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to oppose NAI’s petition.  This approval is not in the public’s best interest and could result in serious consequences for the American airline industry and its employees.  I strongly urge President-elect Trump to stand with the hard-working men and women that are the foundation of American aviation and reopen the DOT’s decision as one of his first actions in office.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-statement-on-21st-century-cures-vote Durbin Statement On 21st Century Cures Vote 2016-12-05 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.05.16 Durbin Statement On 21st Century Cures Vote WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Senate voted 85-13 to advance the 21st Century Cures Act.   This bill represents the promise of an investment we should be making—a down payment in the future for medical research. Its success depends on the support of Republican majorities in the years to come. However, we cannot overlook the fact that this bill is paid for in large part by cuts in the Prevention Fund—money we currently use for reducing the prevalence of diseases such as diabetes and lung cancer. Reducing prevention efforts invites more disease, suffering, and death. This legislative “bargain” is hard to explain or understand, but at least the prevention funds are being dedicated to medical research. This bill also includes legislation I added to expand treatment for mental health and counseling services on college campuses and launch an awareness campaign to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://foster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/press-release-foster-takano-introduce-resolution-to-establish-national Press Release: Foster, Takano Introduce Resolution to Establish National 3D Printing Day 2016-12-02 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Bill Foster F000454 foster.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced a House resolution to designate December 3rd as National 3D Printing Day. In addition, the resolution would recognize the positive economic impact of 3D printing in the United States and encourage the promotion and celebration of 3D printing technology. “Advancements in 3D printing technology provide a vital opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurs to compete in the modern economy and bring new products to life,” Foster said. “From bio-technology, to food production, to advanced manufacturing, the 3D printing industry continues to grow in communities across this country, and the possibilities for innovation could be endless.” “What used to be only available to universities and large corporations is now in our libraries, schools, and homes,” Takano said. “Hobbyists and professionals alike are printing everything from airplane parts to cheap prosthetics, and the potential for 3D printing has only grown as more people gain access to the technology. 3D Printing Day is a time to celebrate how far the technology has come and imagine what we’ll be able to use it for in the future.” By enabling rapid production of innovative products, 3D printing has the potential to create thousands of new businesses and jobs in the U.S. and give domestic companies an edge in global markets. The Department of Energy estimates that 3D printing could save 50% on energy costs compared to more traditional manufacturing processes. Text of the resolution is available here.   ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bustos.house.gov/bustos-applauds-passage-energy-bill-save-thousands-illinois-jobs-1-2-billion-annual-economic-activity/ Bustos applauds passage of Energy Bill to save thousands of Illinois Jobs and $1.2 billion in annual economic activity 2016-12-02 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Cheri Bustos B001286 bustos.house.gov     legacy Bustos led bipartisan letter urging leaders in Springfield to protect Illinois jobs and help  break our addiction to foreign fossil fuels WASHINGTON – Today Congresswoman Cheri Bustos applauded the Illinois State legislature for working together to pass an energy bill that will keep Exelon’s plants in the Quad-Cities and Clinton open for business. According to a January 2015 study from the Illinois Commerce Commission, losing these plants would have cost Illinois thousands of jobs and more than $1.2 billion in annual economic activity. Because of the damage this would have on Illinois’ economy, Bustos led a bipartisan Illinois delegation letter to Governor Rauner and leaders in the State legislature urging them to work out their differences and protect good-paying jobs by investing in non-carbon energy. “Like a lot of Illinoisans, I’ve been disheartened by the dysfunction in Springfield, but I think they deserve to be recognized when they do the right thing,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “By coming together to pass a compromise energy bill that will protect thousands of good-paying Illinois jobs, continue the production of non-carbon energy and help break our addiction to foreign fossil fuels, we’re building a better future for all of our families.” ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bustos.house.gov/bustos-duckworth-loebsack-applaud-passage-national-defense-authorization-act/ Bustos, Duckworth and Loebsack Applaud Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act 2016-12-02 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Cheri Bustos B001286 bustos.house.gov     legacy Lawmakers Worked Together to Include Bipartisan Provisions to Strengthen the Rock Island Arsenal WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), Senator-Elect Tammy Duckworth and Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02) voted in favor and applauded the passage of the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This was the final House passage of the bill, which will now go to the Senate for approval before the President can sign it into law. Representatives Bustos and Loebsack worked with Duckworth, who led this successful effort through the House Armed Services Committee, to include several provisions that will help ensure the long-term success of the Rock Island Arsenal and the more than 6,000 hard working men and women who work on Arsenal Island. “As one of the largest employers in our region, the Rock Island Arsenal is the economic engine that drives our community’s success, and I’m incredibly pleased that Congress was able to come together to pass this bipartisan legislation to strengthen the Arsenal for years to come,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “I’d like to thank Congressman Loebsack for his dedicated partnership working to strengthen the Quad-Cities community and Congresswoman Duckworth for her work on the Armed Services Committee to include language benefiting the Arsenal in this year’s national defense authorization. This bill will support Rockford’s defense industry, Peoria’s Air National Guard base and the more than 6,000 hard working men and women on Arsenal Island. By passing today’s defense authorization, we’re strengthening our national security and helping to ensure a brighter future for all of our communities.” “Congress should do whatever it can to keep our nation safe and create jobs, especially manufacturing jobs, so working with Representatives Bustos and Loebsack to help the Rock Island Arsenal is always an easy decision,” said Duckworth. “American workers have the talent, skill and capability to produce high-quality goods at facilities like the Rock Island Arsenal. As the… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://rush.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rush-votes-yes-on-hr-34-the-21st-century-cures-act Rush Votes YES on H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act 2016-12-01 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Bobby Rush R000515 rush.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power voted in favor of H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act. The bill seeks to prevent and cure disease and improve health for all Americans. The 21st Century Cures Act also requires that public, private and research institutions around the country takes bold action to accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of promising new treatments and cures for patients and to maintain our nation’s standing as the biomedical innovation capital of the world. H.R. 34, also includes a provision sponsored by Rush that will improve minority inclusion in clinical trials. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), of    the 10,000 known diseases, 7,000 of which are considered rare, there are treatments for only 500. Yet, there are many diseases affecting minority communities that often fall by the wayside because minorities are underrepresented in clinical trials. Rush introduced five provisions for adoption into the Energy & Commerce Committee’s 21st Century Cures bill that sought minority inclusion in clinical trials.  Two of Rush’s amendments were adopted into the full bill which will boost the biomedical workforce in in unrepresented communities to address ending health disparities among minority populations and improve outcomes in maternity health.  The first provision will require the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities to include within its strategic plan for biomedical research ways to increase representation of underrepresented communities in clinical trials. The second provision will ensure that it remains a priority at NIH that the biomedical workforce of the future includes groups from traditionally underrepresented communities.     “Research professionals tend to work toward solutions to diseases that they have a personal connection with,” said Rush. “That enforces the need for minority participation in order to foster research that gets … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/50-dems-call-obama-dismantle-discriminatory-special-registration-system 50+ Dems call on Obama to dismantle discriminatory NSEERS "special registration" system 2016-12-01 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Luis Gutiérrez G000535 gutierrez.house.gov     legacy Note: Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) and several other senior Democratic Members led an effort to gather 51 House Democrats on a letter to President Obama asking him to dismantle the NSEERS system, a system crafted by Kris Kobach and used by the Bush Administration to call in and register immigrant men from certain countries.  “Eliminating the regulatory framework for this awful program will make it harder for the new President to begin similar roundups based on national origin or religion,” Rep. Gutiérrez said, a Member of the House Judiciary Committee and the Co-Chair of the Task Force on Immigration of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The press release with the text of the letter is below. OVER 50 HOUSE DEMOCRATS CALL ON OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO COMPLETELY DISMANTLE DISCRIMINATORY NSEERS REGISTRATION SYSTEM BEFORE NEW ADMINISTRATION BEGINS   Washington, DC – In the wake of reports about the Trump Administration’s plans to create a special registration program for Muslims, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Representatives Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) today led over 50 House Democrats in calling for President Barack Obama to completely dismantle the regulatory framework behind the discriminatory National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) before his administration ends.  The Obama Administration effectively ended the program in 2011; however, the apparatus remains. House Democrats are calling for the NSEERS regulatory framework to be eliminated. The letter was signed by Representatives John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), Grace Meng (D-NY), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Norma J. Torres (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Allen Lowenthal (D-CA), James A Himes (D-CT), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), José E. Serrano (D-NY), Mike Quigle… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3134 Lipinski Helps Pass Life-Saving 21st Century Cures Act 2016-12-01 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Daniel Lipinski L000563 lipinski.house.gov     legacy Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) joined with colleagues from both sides of the aisle last night to pass the 21st Century Cures Act.  The bill will boost funding for biomedical research, and streamline and update the approval process for medical innovations, improving the quality of life for many Americans. “This legislation will help speed the development and delivery of life-saving cures,” said Rep. Lipinski.  “It provides a critical infusion of resources for medical research, as I have long advocated for. While not compromising patient safety, it will speed up the process by which medications and medical devices are approved in order to get new treatments to patients faster.  While this bill is not perfect, I am glad the House could come together to get legislation passed that will improve the lives of so many people.” Highlights from the bill include: ·         Special National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) innovation accounts to support special biomedical research projects and streamlined approval for new drugs and medical devices.  NIH would receive $4.8 billion over 10 years, while the FDA would receive $500 million.  These funds would support important priorities set out by the current administration, including research on personalized medicine and Vice President Biden’s “Cancer Moonshot” initiative. ·         The formal reauthorization of the NIH through FY2020.  The reauthorization requires the NIH to support prize competitions to promote biomedical research for serious health conditions, improve transparency by allowing the NIH Director to require grant recipients to share data generated from NIH-funded research, and focus on supporting young emerging scientists.  In addition, a new pediatric research network will help pool resources and improve coordination for efforts related to pediatric rare diseases and birth defects. ·         New efforts to streamline FDA reviews.  Breakthrough medical devices will now receive priority review.  The rare pedia… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-pays-tribute-to-us-senator-mark-kirk-on-senate-floor Durbin Pays Tribute To U.S. Senator Mark Kirk On Senate Floor 2016-12-01 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.01.16 Durbin Pays Tribute To U.S. Senator Mark Kirk On Senate Floor WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) paid tribute today to U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), on the United States Senate Floor:   “For the last six years, Senator Mark Kirk and I have had a very positive and professional relationship. I thank him for his service to our state, the service he’s given our nation as an officer in the Navy Reserve, for the years that he put in as a staff member to Congressman John Porter, for the work that he did in the House of Representatives representing the 10th Congressional District, and for his term here in the United States Senate,” said Durbin. “It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve with him despite our political differences. I count him as a friend, as an ally, and a true champion for the state of Illinois. I wish my colleague Mark Kirk the very best in his future endeavors.”   Video of Durbin’s remarks is available here.   Durbin’s remarks as prepared for delivery are available below:   Remarks of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin Honoring U.S. Senator Mark Kirk December 1, 2016   For the last six years, Mark and I have had a close personal and working relationship.   We didn’t always agree on the issues, but there is a mutual respect for each other—a respect that is often lacking in our politics today.   In 1985, my mentor—Senator Paul Simon—launched the Illinois Hospitality Breakfast series.  For one hour, every Thursday morning the Senate’s in session, Senator Simon invited his constituents visiting Washington, D.C., for coffee and a conversation.   And there’s only one rule.  If you want to make a speech, you have to run for office. A rule that Mark quickly reminds me to share with the audience when I forget.   Today, we simply call it constituent coffee. And in 2011, when Mark was sworn into the Senate, despite party differences, we kept the tradition alive.   But this should come as no surprise to anyone who knows Mark. After all, one of his legacies will s… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-pushes-to-protect-dreamers-from-deportation Durbin Pushes to Protect DREAMers from Deportation 2016-12-01 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.01.16 Durbin Pushes to Protect DREAMers from Deportation Begins to Craft Bipartisan Legislation to Shield DREAMers until Congress Passes Immigration Reform WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today continued his push to ensure that the young immigrants known as DREAMers remain shielded from deportation under a Trump Administration. Every day this week, Durbin has gone to the floor of the United States Senate and shared the stories of DREAMers at risk of deportation if the President-elect does not continue President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.    Durbin also announced that he is working with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham to craft a potential legislative solution that would provide a temporary stay of deportation for young immigrants while Congress works on legislation to fix our broken immigration system.    “My concern and the concern shared by millions across America is what is going to happen to these young kids – 744,000 of them who are currently in college, in high school, currently in professional schools, medical schools, and law schools. They're doing amazing things with their lives and yet things can happen immediately that change their status,” said Durbin. “I’ve talked to a number of my colleagues on the floor, on both sides of the aisle about this, and there are strong emotions in favor of helping these young people. One of the leaders on this has been my friend and ally on some immigration issues – and that’s Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. He and I talked about introducing legislation that would give a temporary stay so that these young people could be protected until Congress does its work and comes up with an immigration bill that addresses this issue and many more. Senator Graham and I discussed it again this morning, and we hope to even have this bill ready before we leave next week, a bipartisan effort to say to the new president, ‘gi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-pushes-to-protect-dreamers-from-deportation-120116 Durbin Pushes To Protect DREAMers From Deportation 2016-12-01 2016 2016-12 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 12.01.16 Durbin Pushes To Protect DREAMers From Deportation Begins to Craft Bipartisan Legislation to Shield Dreamers until Congress Passes Immigration Reform WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today continued his push to ensure that the young immigrants known as DREAMers remain shielded from deportation under a Trump Administration. Every day this week, Durbin has gone to the floor of the United States Senate and shared the stories of DREAMers at risk of deportation if the President-elect does not continue President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.   Durbin also announced that he is working with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham to craft a potential legislative solution that would provide a temporary stay of deportation for young immigrants while Congress works on legislation to fix our broken immigration system.   “My concern and the concern shared by millions across America is what is going to happen to these young kids – 744,000 of them who are currently in college, in high school, currently in professional schools, medical schools, and law schools. They're doing amazing things with their lives and yet things can happen immediately that change their status,” said Durbin. “I’ve talked to a number of my colleagues on the floor, on both sides of the aisle about this, and there are strong emotions in favor of helping these young people. One of the leaders on this has been my friend and ally on some immigration issues – and that’s Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. He and I talked about introducing legislation that would give a temporary stay so that these young people could be protected until Congress does its work and comes up with an immigration bill that addresses this issue and many more. Senator Graham and I discussed it again this morning, and we hope to even have this bill ready before we leave next week, a bipartisan effort to say to the new president, ‘give t… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-cosponsors-resolution-urging-trump-to-comply-with-emoluments-clause Durbin Cosponsors Resolution Urging Trump To Comply With Emoluments Clause 2016-11-30 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 11.30.16 Durbin Cosponsors Resolution Urging Trump To Comply With Emoluments Clause Calls for Trump to honor promise to sever ties to his businesses WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and a group of 22 Senate Democrats in introducing a resolution calling on President-elect Trump to follow the precedent established by previous presidents and convert his assets to simple, conflict-free holdings, adopt blind trusts managed by an independent trustee, or take other equivalent measures in order to ensure compliance with the United States Constitution.   The resolution notes that in the absence of such actions by the President-elect before he assumes office or without specific authorization by Congress, Congress will regard dealings by Trump-owned companies with any entity owned by a foreign governmental actor as potential violations of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause. President-elect Trump has promised to leave his position “in total” but hasn’t offered any specifics and continues to run the Trump Organization less than two months before Inauguration Day.   Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution provides that “no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under [the United States], shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” “I urge President-elect Trump to honor his promise and effectively sever ties with his business empire while he is in office, letting the American people know with certainty that he is putting the United States’ interests before his or that of any foreign government,” said Durbin. “Failing to do so, or taking half measures, like turning over his company to family members without the proper legal framework, will lead to, at best, the appearance of impropriety, and at worst, entanglements that put our country at risk.”Joi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-meets-with-national-breast-cancer-coalition-president-to-discuss-biomedical-research-funding Durbin Meets With National Breast Cancer Coalition President To Discuss Biomedical Research Funding 2016-11-30 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 11.30.16 Durbin Meets With National Breast Cancer Coalition President To Discuss Biomedical Research Funding WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with National Breast Cancer Coalition President Fran Visco to discuss efforts to protect and increase funding for innovative, breakthrough research at the Department of Defense – funding that has led to discoveries and treatments for cancer and other diseases. They also talked about Durbin’s American Cures Act, a bill that would increase funding at our nation’s top four biomedical research agencies, as well as the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act of 2015, which would establish the Commission to Accelerate the End of Breast Cancer to help end breast cancer by January 1, 2020.   “Three years ago, military researchers at the Army’s Cancer Vaccine Development Program completed a federally funded 10-year study of a vaccine which, in trials, halved the risk that a woman’s breast cancer will return,” said Durbin. “This vaccine is just one example of how federal investment in biomedical research has real consequences for real people. I am proud to meet with Fran Visco and continue my efforts with the National Breast Cancer Coalition in fighting to make sure that biomedical research is prioritized in Washington.”   A photo of today’s meeting is available here.   The American Cures Act would augment federal appropriations for biomedical research with a mandatory trust fund dedicated to steady growth in research conducted at National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Defense Health Program (DHP), and the Veterans Medical & Prosthetics Research Program. Each year, the bill would increase funding for each agency and program at a rate of GDP-indexed inflation plus five percent. This steady, long-term investment would allow the agencies to plan and manage strategic growth while maximizing efficiencies. Print Email … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3129 Lipinski Announces Support for Ryan 2016-11-29 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Daniel Lipinski L000563 lipinski.house.gov     legacy Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) released the following statement ahead of tomorrow’s House Democrat leadership vote: “House Democrats are at our lowest number since the presidency of Herbert Hoover.  That means that more than 98% of Americans have not seen House Democrats with fewer members.  This year was supposed be a great opportunity to pick up a significant number of seats - maybe even regain the majority - by focusing the campaign on Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump.  But after another bitterly disappointing election, House Democrats must finally acknowledge that something needs to change if we are once again going to become a majority party in the House of Representatives.  “Nancy Pelosi has been a very strong Speaker and Leader for House Democrats.  Her drive and determination made it possible for her to make history by becoming the first female Speaker of the House.  Although I have not always agreed with her, I have always respected her great ability to rally Democrats together in the chamber.  But the Democratic Caucus needs to take an honest look at the last few elections and recognize that the party’s brand does not play well in the House districts we need to pick up to gain the majority.  “Too many Americans feel that the Democratic Party no longer prioritizes fighting for hard-working Americans struggling to survive in our country today.  Though I do not represent a rural district where Democrats have suffered our biggest losses, I do hear from some of my Democratic constituents that they don’t trust that the national leadership of the party understands them and is addressing their concerns.  That is one of the main reasons that Bernie Sanders won the Democratic Primary in my district this year.  “I believe that without changes, including at the top of our House leadership, the voters we need in 2018 will not consider voting for Democratic House challenger candidates.  Tim Ryan comes from a Rust Belt community that shares some similarities with my district and is very mu… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-calls-for-sessions-nomination-hearings-to-be-thorough-transparent-and-fair Durbin Calls For Sessions Nomination Hearings To Be Thorough, Transparent, And Fair 2016-11-29 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 11.29.16 Durbin Calls For Sessions’ Nomination Hearings To Be Thorough, Transparent, And Fair WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senate Democrats on the Judiciary Committee to call for an objective and thorough confirmation hearing for U.S. Senator Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III of Alabama to be Attorney General of the United States. Given Senator Sessions’ extensive record on critical issues within the Committee’s jurisdiction, the senators requested testimony from outside witnesses on each of the following issues, at a minimum: immigration; violence against women; civil rights, including LGBT protections, racial justice, and hate crimes; workers’ rights; national security and civil liberties; voting rights; criminal justice; and government conflicts of interest, transparency, and oversight.   “One of the most solemn responsibilities that falls to the Judiciary Committee is our duty to fairly and thoroughly consider nominations to positions in the Department of Justice, most prominently the position of Attorney General of the United States. We write today to ask that you ensure the hearings on this important nomination be fair and thorough,” wrote the senators in a letter to Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA). “We all have personal and cordial relationships with Senator Sessions and know him to be a strong advocate for his political positions. But as you know, his job as Attorney General, if he is confirmed, will be different: he will have to be an independent Attorney General who is willing to set aside personal beliefs and political positions in service of larger obligations. When our country is struggling with so many divisions, the Committee and the entire Senate must ask whether Senator Sessions is the right man to lead the agency charged with securing and protection the constitutional and civil rights of all Americans.”   The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-dreamers-should-not-be-deported Durbin: DREAMers Should Not Be Deported 2016-11-29 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 11.29.16 Durbin: DREAMers Should Not Be Deported Repeats call for President-elect Trump to protect DREAMers WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) is once again calling on President-elect Donald Trump to pledge to continue the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provides temporary reprieve from deportation to young undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin argued that by saving DACA, Trump could begin to bind the divisions that characterized this year’s presidential election.   Senator Durbin also highlighted the social and economic contributions of DREAMers and shared the story of Father Rey Piñeda, who thanks to DACA was able to fulfill his goal of becoming a Catholic priest.   “I believe now that America [will] stand behind these young people. We will not allow them to be deported after what they have been through. We will not say to them by complying with the requirements of our government, you have penalized yourself in the future. We want to give them a chance,” said Durbin. “Now is the time for America, this nation of immigrants, to heal the wounds that divided us during this election. Let’s start with the DREAMers. Let’s start with DACA. Let’s start with the young people that will make America better and stronger in years to come. They are the best in this country. Let’s make them the best of America’s future. I hope and pray that the President-elect's words and actions in the coming weeks and months will in fact bring us together.”   Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor are available here.   Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.   Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available for TV Stations using FTP in high definition and standard definition.   In April 2010, Senator Durbin was the first member of Congress to call for the establishment of DACA. Durbin … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-praises-epas-top-10-list-for-study-under-tsca-reform Durbin Praises EPAs Top 10 List For Study Under TSCA Reform 2016-11-29 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 11.29.16 Durbin Praises EPA’s “Top 10” List For Study Under TSCA Reform Durbin called on EPA to include asbestos and flame retardants among top priority chemicals WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first ten chemicals it will evaluate for potential risks to human health and the environment under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which reforms the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Among the chemicals selected for study are asbestos and flame retardant Cyclic Aliphatic Bromide Cluster (HBCD). In September, Durbin called on EPA to include asbestos and flame retardants in its “Top 10” list, arguing the agency should “use [its] full authority to prevent any future exposures.”   “Today’s announcement signals a major change in the way we address potentially hazardous chemicals. The EPA’s review of these ten substances, and the many more to come, will save lives and protect the most vulnerable among us,” said Durbin. “I commend Administrator McCarthy for taking this critical step, and I urge the next Administration to protect American families by critically evaluating the safety of chemicals and removing them from the public, if necessary.”   Under the new chemical safety law, EPA must complete its evaluation within a three year window. If the chemicals are found to present an unreasonable health or environmental risk, the EPA must mitigate the risk within two years.   Senator Durbin has strong record of protecting children and families from exposure to toxic chemicals. In response to a 2012 Chicago Tribune investigative report, Durbin, then Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, chaired a hearing on the safety and effectiveness of flame retardant chemicals and co-sponsored the Children and Firefighters Protection Act to ban… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3128 Lipinski Successful in Effort to Reduce Regulations and Improve University Research Opportunities 2016-11-28 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Daniel Lipinski L000563 lipinski.house.gov     legacy Provisions based on Congressman Dan Lipinski’s (IL-3) legislation, the University Regulation Streamlining and Harmonization Act, HR 5583, have been included in the broader health research and funding bill, the 21st Century Cures Act.  Lipinski’s bill, developed on recommendations from a National Academies report, would reduce the time and resources spent by researchers and universities in complying with excessive, duplicative, and inefficient federal regulations. “The federal government plays a leading role in funding research that keeps our nation on the forefront of science,” Rep. Lipinski stated.  “Unfortunately, this funding comes with some unnecessary regulatory burdens.  As a political science grad student and professor, I had my own experiences with federal research regulations, and now as a member of the Science Committee, I hear from former colleagues and leading researchers across the country about the excessive regulations, reporting, and monitoring they must deal with.  While some of this is important to oversee the use of taxpayer dollars, increasingly these requirements take up an inordinate amount of researchers’ time that could otherwise be devoted to cutting-edge research.” The 21st Century Cures Act, which the House is expected to consider this week, includes language parallel to Lipinski’s bill establishing the Research Policy Board, a new advisory board at the Office of Management and Budget comprised of 10 Federal members and up to 12 representatives of academic research institutions, and other private, non-profit research groups.  This advisory board will provide information on the effects of regulations on federal research requirements, including analysis of regulations and policy; identifying adverse consequences of policies and recommendations to improve them; conducting ongoing assessments of regulatory burdens, establishing metrics to measure them, and identifying process and policy improvements.  The board must submit a report containing its initial formal recommendations withi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-highlights-importance-blood-safety-procedures-and-fair-donor Quigley Highlights Importance of Blood Safety Procedures and Fair Donor Policies During LifeSource Tour 2016-11-28 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Mike Quigley Q000023 quigley.house.gov     legacy CHICAGO — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Vice-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, visited a LifeSource blood bank in Rosemont, IL to learn more about blood safety, procedures, processing and how new policies are impacting the blood donor community. “It is imperative that we prioritize the highest level of blood product safety while also promoting a fair and equitable blood donor policy for all donors wanting to help save lives,” said Rep. Mike Quigley. “I thank LifeSource for today’s tour and the opportunity to learn more about the transfusion medicine practices and procedures used to connect Chicagoans with quality health care. In Congress, I will continue to push for updated blood donor policies that are based on science and individual risk factors instead of fear, so that we do not prevent healthy Americans from donating to life-saving centers like LifeSource.” “We are very pleased that Congressman Quigley visited our facilities and took time out of his busy schedule to learn more about blood donation,” said LifeSource Regional Executive Director, Eva Quinley. “Giving blood is a selfless act. Human blood cannot be substituted, and every day, lives are saved in our community because of the generosity of our blood donors.” Rep. Quigley visits the LifeSource Processing Lab in Rosemont, IL and discusses supply procedures and safety with Manager of Product Manufacturing Kathy McKibben. Rep. Quigley discusses new blood policies with Regional Executive Director Eva Quinley. Rep. Quigley views questionnaires and standard blood-giving procedures for donors with staff member Camille Lemaich and Marketing Lead Kodi Khadivar at the LifeSource Donor Center in Norridge, IL. Since 1987, LifeSource has provided the Chicago area with a responsible and reliable source for donor recruitment, blood collection, component manufacturing, testing and product management. They have 18 community donor centers located throughout Chicagoland, three of them in Illinois’ Fifth Congressional District. After th… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-announces-13-million-in-hud-grants-to-reduce-homelessness-among-chicago-veterans Durbin Announces $1.3 Million In HUD Grants To Reduce Homelessness Among Chicago Veterans 2016-11-22 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 11.22.16 Durbin Announces $1.3 Million In HUD Grants To Reduce Homelessness Among Chicago Veterans CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) will receive a total of $1,366,200 in grant funding for rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. This funding, provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, will assist homeless veterans around Chicago with affordable housing and an array of supportive services.   “Last night, in Illinois alone, almost 1,000 homeless veterans were on the street. Nationally, the number of homeless veterans nears 40,000,” said Durbin. “This country can do better—and must do better—for the brave men and women who have served our nation honorably. This funding makes a statement to our veterans that their country will help them find housing and the health services they need and deserve.”   This award is part of approximately $18 million in HUD-VASH funding and will support nearly 2,000 units of Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) assistance across the country. 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-3-million-to-support-business-development-in-illinois Durbin Announces $3 Million To Support Business Development In Illinois 2016-11-22 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 11.22.16 Durbin Announces $3 Million To Support Business Development In Illinois CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $3 million in federal funding to support business development efforts in Illinois, primarily in manufacturing and minority-owned businesses. This funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Commerce, will help support product development, innovation, and technical assistance.   “Illinois is home to some of the world’s leading businesses and manufacturing companies, which support thousands of jobs and generate tremendous economic activity in our state,” Durbin said. “This funding will help equip them with development and technical services that will keep Illinois on the cutting-edge of innovation and growth.”   Under this announcement, the following organizations will receive funding:   ·      Catalyze Chicago: $500,000 in funding through the Economic Development Administration to support the creation of a full-scale technology incubator that focuses primarily on physical product development and hardware innovation for manufacturers and entrepreneurs. mHub will provide a focal point for hardware and advanced manufacturing communities in the Chicagoland region; and, ·      ACG Chicago, Inc.: $2,500,000 in funding through the Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) grant to provide technical assistance and business development services that result in awarded financial transactions to Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). 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-bipartisan-senators-call-for-immediate-passage-of-miners-protection-act Durbin, Bipartisan Senators Call For Immediate Passage Of Miners Protection Act 2016-11-22 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 11.22.16 Durbin, Bipartisan Senators Call For Immediate Passage Of Miners Protection Act WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined 21 bipartisan Senators in a letter to Senate and House leadership calling for the passage of the Miners Protection Act by the end of this year. Without a change to current law, 12,500 of the country’s retired coal miners will lose their healthcare on December 31, 2016.     “During the month of October, approximately 12,500 of our nation’s retired coal miners received notices informing them that their healthcare benefits will be terminated at the end of this year. The funding provided for Patriot Retirees Voluntary Employee’s Beneficiary Association (Patriot VEBA) will be exhausted by December 31, 2016, leaving these miners and their families without the essential healthcare benefits they earned through a lifetime of hard work. On November 1st, another 3,600 miners began to receive notices.  And next year, 6,500 more will suffer the same fate. Additionally, the pension fund that these miners and their widows rely on for life’s basic necessities will reach the point of no return shortly thereafter. Therefore, we ask that you pass the Miners Protection Act of 2016 (S. 3470) by the end of this year,” wrote the Senators.     Full text of the letter is available here.   The letter was also signed by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bob Casey (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Al Franken (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Richard Burr (R-NC), Rob Portman (R-OH), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jim Risch (R-ID), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Jerry Moran (R-KS).   Retired miners are facing uncertainty because the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) 1974 Pension Plan is severely underfunded. Unlike other public and private pension plans, the 1974 Pension Plan was well-managed and fun… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bustos.house.gov/bustos-announces-4-million-federal-funding-illinois-manufacturing-excellence-center/ Bustos Announces $4 Million in Federal Funding for Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center 2016-11-21 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Cheri Bustos B001286 bustos.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced $4 million in federal funding for the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center in Peoria. The grant, from the U.S. Department of Labor’s “America’s Promise” program, will be used to grow regional partnerships between workforce agencies, education and training providers and employees. “Our region has a rich manufacturing history, and nothing is more important than creating good-paying jobs that can support a family,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “I’m proud to announce federal funding to support workforce development programs because we need to ensure that people have the skills to succeed in today’s 21st century economy. Together, we must continue working to create jobs and grow Illinois’ manufacturing future.” Congresswoman Bustos has been a strong proponent of our region’s manufacturing economy. In January, she hosted her annual Economic Summit, which focused on closing the skills gap facing many manufacturers. She also has introduced the Boosting America’s Exports Act, aiming to give small and medium sized businesses and manufacturers the tools they need to sell their American-made products in new markets. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://web.archive.org/web/20161208101046/http://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/discrimination-in-the-facebook-era Discrimination in the Facebook era 2016-11-21 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Robin Kelly K000385 web.archive.org     legacy Kankakee City Hall 304 South Indiana Avenue lower level Kankakee, IL 60901 The office is located in Kankakee City Hall, on the lower level, at 304 South Indiana Avenue. It will be open on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Constituents can receive assistance with Social Security and Veterans Administration claims and other issues involving federal agencies as well as get information on federal grants and programs. To schedule an appointment at the Kankakee office, please call (708) 679-0078. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-announces-4-million-in-federal-funding-to-strengthen-manufacturing-job-skills-of-illinois-workers Durbin Announces $4 Million In Federal Funding To Strengthen Manufacturing Job Skills Of Illinois Workers 2016-11-21 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 11.21.16 Durbin Announces $4 Million In Federal Funding To Strengthen Manufacturing Job Skills Of Illinois Workers CHICAGO U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded $4 million to Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center to help develop and grow regional partnerships between workforce agencies, education and training providers and employers in manufacturing. This funding is provided through DOL's H-1B America's Promise Grants, which are funded through fees paid by employers to bring foreign workers into the U.S. under the H-1B temporary visa program. These grants are intended to raise the technical skill levels of American workers and, over time, help businesses reduce their reliance on temporary visa programs. This funding will increase opportunities for Americans through tuition-free training for middle-to high-skilled occupations and industries. Investments in job-training programs will diversify and expand our nation's workforce, and help grow our economy from the middle class out, said Durbin. Nationally, over $111 million of H-1B America's Promise Grants were awarded to 23 regional workforce partnerships providing services in 28 states. 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-4-million-in-federal-funding-to-support-health-and-well-being-of-illinoisans Durbin Announces $4 Million In Federal Funding To Support Health And Well-Being Of Illinoisans 2016-11-21 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 11.21.16 Durbin Announces $4 Million In Federal Funding To Support Health And Well-Being Of Illinoisans CHICAGO U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Illinois institutions with $4,026,032 in federal funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Administration for Children and Families. This funding will go to support children's hospitals, Head Start programs, and HIV emergency relief programs throughout Illinois. This infusion of federal dollars will strengthen our state's health and early education programs and make Illinois a healthier and happier place to live and raise a family, said Durbin. I will continue working to secure federal investments that level the playing field for families of modest means, keep our children healthy, and assist those living with HIV/AIDS lead productive and full lives. Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program (CHGME Program) Grants Under this announcement, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago will receive $1,087,780 in funding and LaRabida Children's Hospital in Chicago will receive $19,944 in funding. The CHGME program improves the lives of families by providing federal funding to children's teaching hospitals. Hospitals receiving CHGME money train approximately half of our nation's pediatricians and pediatric specialists. Since the CHGME program was initially established, the number of residents trained by children's hospitals has increased by 40 percent and the program has helped broaden the training experiences of pediatric residents providing more opportunities for residents to practice in underserved urban and rural areas. Head Start Under this announcement, B.C.M.W. Community Services, Inc. in Centralia, Illinois, will receive $1,888,530 in funding. Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through agencies in their local community. In addition to education services, progr… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://foster.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/climate-change-real-cost-of-doing-nothing-enormous-foster-warns Climate change real, cost of doing nothing 'enormous,' Foster warns 2016-11-20 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Bill Foster F000454 foster.house.gov     legacy Gobal climate change is the "most serious long-term problem this country will face," but until legislators begin to believe and act, the only option available is to raise public awareness and urge public pressure, U.S. Rep. Bill Foster said Saturday. Foster, joined by WGN-TV meteorologist Tom Skilling; Doug Sisterson, a research meteorologist who works at Argonne National Laboratory; and Mary Gade, president of the Chicago-based Gade Environmental Group, gathered at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora to discuss the issue in front of an audience of more than 300 people. "Our average global temperature has risen 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, and while that may not seem like much, the cost of these changes has already been enormous," said Foster, D-Naperville, who worked as a scientist before being elected to Congress. "The cost to act now is nothing compared to the millions of dollars we're going to have to spend in the future if we do nothing." "Especially young voters need to understand how important this is as they are the ones who are most likely to be affected, given this is their future," he added.   Skilling, an Aurora native and 1970 graduate of West Aurora High School, said the issue is not a "hoax," as some believe. "I'm outraged when I hear that, and if you look at the issue, you can see what's going on," Skilling said. "I've been studying weather for about a half a century, and I didn't come to these conclusions quickly. There are these huge domes of air above the arctic that are increasingly warmer, and the sea ice and the oceans are changing." "And the tax effects of climate change are larger," he added. "We spent $200 billion in weather-related incidents in this country since 1980, and this year, we've had nine floods." Gade said many feel global warming is something happening far away, but there is proof right here in Illinois. "For the farmers, there are more wet springs followed by drought and insects," she said. "Fishermen in Lake Michigan aren't able to catch as many, as the fish… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://foster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/press-release-foster-hosts-panel-on-climate-change Press Release: Foster Hosts Panel on Climate Change 2016-11-19 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Bill Foster F000454 foster.house.gov     legacy Aurora, IL - Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) hosted a panel on climate change with leading experts on environmental policy and meteorology. An estimated 400 people attended the event. The panel featured Tom Skilling, WGN Chief Meteorologist, Doug Sisterson, Research Meteorologist at Argonne National Lab, and Mary Gade, President of Gade Environmental Group. The panel discussed the need to take action on climate change and the effects it will have locally. “Now more than ever, we need informed constituents who understand the facts and the solutions that are needed to combat this growing threat,” Foster said. “That’s what is so great about our district – we have people who are willing to take the time to come to events like this one to learn about climate change and what we can do.” Tom Skilling discussed climate change and meteorology. “Either we take the lead in combating climate change—which is costing our country billions in increasingly frequent weather disasters—or we'll lose an opportunity to lead efforts to develop next generation fuels and energy sources,” Skilling said.  Mary Gade spoke about the local effects of climate change in Illinois. “If you don't think climate change has come to Illinois talk to a farmer fighting wetter springs, hotter summers and more insects and disease. Talk to a homeowner experiencing basement flooding or a fisherman on Lake Michigan. Climate change is real, it’s here now, and it’s already causing problems for the Land of Lincoln,” Gade said. Recently, the Paris Agreement was ratified by more than 100 countries to hold average global temperature increase to less than two degrees Celsius.      ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bustos.house.gov/representatives-rush-bustos-introduce-safe-drinking-water-act/ Representatives Rush and Bustos Introduce Safe Drinking Water Act 2016-11-18 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Cheri Bustos B001286 bustos.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives Bobby L. Rush (IL-01) and Cheri Bustos (D-17) introduced the Safe Drinking Water Act, a bill that would establish a $50 million grant program within EPA that would allow local education agencies and districts to replace lead service lines and lead solder used in school plumbing. This bill is a companion to an earlier bill Rush introduced that would provide grants to schools to replace older water tanks manufactured prior to 1988. “As the Ranking Member of the Energy and Power Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Bustos and myself represent both Chicago and downstate Illinois within the two committees of jurisdiction over this issue,” said Rush. Rep. Bustos currently sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “This is a problem that predates all of our tenures, but we understand how widespread this issue is and what resources are going to be needed to address it from the local, state, and federal levels to turn this issue around.” Last month, Rush and Bustos hosted a fact-finding, informational water infrastructure listening session at Avalon Park field house in Chicago. The October session included members from the Chicago Mayor’s Office, Chicago Department of Public Health, Chicago Department of Water Management, Environment and Economy Subcommittee, Illinois EPA and the Illinois Public Water Supply. The discussion covered the issue of lead in schools, in parks, and other public entities. As a result of the discussion, Rush and Bustos introduced this legislation in order to address the needs of their constituencies.  Avalon Park is significant due to the fact that  Chicago Park District officials found some of the highest lead levels therein samples collected during the summer. “I worked hard to secure several million dollars to replace lead pipes in one of our communities, however the problem of lead contamination in drinking water is widespread and must be addressed comprehensively,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “There is no safe level of … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-guti-rrez-disturbed-anti-immigrant-anti-civil-rights-selection-us Rep. Gutirrez Disturbed by Anti-Immigrant, Anti-Civil Rights Selection For US Attorney General 2016-11-18 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Luis Gutiérrez G000535 gutierrez.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC – Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) issued a statement today in reaction to the news that Senator Jefferson Beauregard Sessions of Alabama would be President-elect Trump’s pick as Attorney General. If you have nostalgia for the days when blacks kept quiet, gays were in the closet, immigrants were invisible and women stayed in the kitchen, Senator Jefferson Beauregard Sessions is your man.  No Senator has fought harder against the hopes and aspirations of Latinos, immigrants, and people of color than Sen. Sessions.  He is a staunch opponent of legal immigration and someone who has blocked every effort to improve, modernize, and humanize our immigration system, which is two or three decades out-of-date.  He ran for the Senate because he was deemed by the Senate Judiciary Committee as too racist to serve as a federal judge.  He is the kind of person who will set back law enforcement, civil rights, the courts, and increase America’s mass incarceration industry and erase 50 years of progress. Rep. Gutiérrez represents the Fourth District of Illinois, is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and is the Co-Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.    # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/special-registration-asians-and-africans-was-bad-idea-when-bush-tried-it Special Registration Of Asians And Africans Was A Bad Idea When Bush Tried It And A Bad Idea Today 2016-11-18 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Luis Gutiérrez G000535 gutierrez.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC – It has been reported that President-elect Trump is considering reinstituting NSEERS, or “Special Registration” – a program that required people from certain countries with large Muslim populations to come forward and be registered with the federal government.  A senior Trump advisor and a leader of the transition team, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, designed the plan when he was a key lieutenant to Attorney General John Ashcroft in the months after 9/11.  It was a moral, civil rights, due process, and law enforcement disaster. Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) issued a statement today in reaction to the news that Trump is considering reviving the failed and offensive policy.  Rep. Gutiérrez represents the Fourth District of Illinois, is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and is the Co-Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.  He is a former Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The roundup of men from mostly Asian, Middle Eastern and African countries was one of the darkest chapters of the George W. Bush years.  It was a strategy to scare immigrants and yielded zero concrete terrorism leads that led to conviction.  Racial, ethnic, religious, and gender profiling is exactly the wrong approach to law enforcement and counter-terrorism.  President Trump is assuming office in 2017, not 1947 when red-scare hysteria gripped America.  Whenever the United States has used fear of an outside aggressor to round up immigrants – every single time – it has been an embarrassment, a travesty, and a dark stain on America not to be repeated. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-announces-620-million-in-federal-funding-for-economic-and-community-development Durbin Announces $620 Million In Federal Funding For Economic And Community Development 2016-11-18 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 11.18.16 Durbin Announces $620 Million In Federal Funding For Economic And Community Development CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $620 million in federal funding to spur economic and community development in distressed and low-income communities across Illinois. This funding, provided through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), will provide resources for local jobs, community facilities, and safe and affordable housing.   “Investing in economic and community development in some of Illinois’ hardest hit communities will boost small businesses, diversify and expand our nation’s workforce, and help grow our economy, especially in underserved communities. A tremendous number of organizations across Illinois are doing great work to assist local businesses, in turn creating jobs, building healthy neighborhoods, and helping provide economic stability for families across this great state,” said Durbin.   Under this announcement, the following organizations will receive CDFI Fund funding:   ·      Central States Development Partners, Inc. (Rock Island): $45 million ·      Chase New Markets Corporation (Chicago): $80 million ·      Chicago Development Fund (Chicago): $75 million ·      Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives (Chicago): $25 million ·      FirstPathway Community Development (Chicago): $25 million ·      IFF (Chicago): $80 million ·      M & I New Markets Fund (Chicago): $55 million ·      Northern CDE Corp (Chicago): $60 million ·      National Community Investment Fund (Chicago): $65 million ·      Southside Community Optimal Redevelopment Enterprise (Chicago): $65 million ·      The Business Valued Advisor Fund (Chicago): $45 million   This announcement awards 120 organizations nationwide, which will receive a total of $7 billion in New Markets Tax Credit funding. This is the largest single award round since the New Markets Tax Credit Program was created in 2001. … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-vows-to-fight-reinstatement-of-federal-muslim-database Durbin Vows To Fight Reinstatement Of Federal Muslim Database 2016-11-18 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 11.18.16 Durbin Vows To Fight Reinstatement Of Federal ‘Muslim Database’ Durbin led post-9/11 fight against failed federal registry of Muslims WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding reports that President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is considering a reinstatement of the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) program, a post-9/11 program which required travelers to the United States from specified Muslim-majority countries to immediately register with the federal government or face deportation.   “Reinstating failed programs that target Arabs and Muslims in our country is exactly what ISIS was cheering on election night—when America, a beacon of freedom in the world, gives in to fear and begins chipping away at civil rights, our enemies are emboldened and their ranks swell with new recruits. Back in 2002, I called for this program to be terminated because there were serious doubts it would help combat terrorism. Terrorism experts have since concluded that this program wasted precious homeland security funds and alienated Arab- and Muslim Americans. How many terrorists did it identify? Zero. Failed programs like this are the exact wrong approach to combating terrorism, and I’ll fight to ensure it never returns.”   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/senate-resolution-honors-2016-world-series-champion-chicago-cubs Senate Resolution Honors 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs 2016-11-18 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Richard Durbin D000563 www.durbin.senate.gov     legacy 11.18.16 Senate Resolution Honors 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs WASHINGTON—The United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution congratulating the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. The resolution, introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), is cosponsored by Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Dan Coats (R-IN).   “In the early morning hours of November 3rd—in the 10th inning of the final game against the resurgent Cleveland Indians—the Chicago Cubs made the final out and won the 2016 World Series. The city of Chicago and baseball fans around the world erupted in celebration as the longest championship drought in baseball history was broken,” said Durbin. “Gone are the Curse of the Billy Goat and the Omen of the Black Cat. At long last, the Chicago Cubs are back on top. Congratulations once again to the players, coaches, management, and the best fans in baseball.”   “After 108 years it seems very fitting that our Chicago Cubs would overcome a three games to one deficit and finally Fly the W in November to bring home a World Series Championship. The resilience that Cubs fans have shown year after year exemplifies the can-do spirit of Illinois. No one deserves this championship more than the best fans in the country. Over 5 million Chicagoans came out to watch the championship parade and show their support for this one of a kind Cubs team. Congratulations to the 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs, Chicago baseball fans, and to everyone involved in making this season an unforgettable one," said Kirk.   “I am proud to recognize the Cubs, who brought tremendous pride to the City of Chicago, as well as many fans in Indiana and across the country,” Donnelly said.   "Like so many Cubs fans, I have been waiting for this season my entire life,” said Coats. “I'll never forget being in the stands at Wrigley Field as the Cubs celebrated winning the National League pennant. This Cubs team riveted the nation with slick fielding, a powerful lineup and a talented pitchin… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://rush.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-rush-and-bustos-introduces-safe-drinking-water-act Representatives Rush and Bustos Introduce Bill to Amend Safe Drinking Water Act 2016-11-17 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Bobby Rush R000515 rush.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Representatives Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) and Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) introduced a bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act.  This bill would establish a $50 million grant program within EPA that would allow local education agencies and districts to replace lead service lines and lead solder used in school plumbing. This bill is a companion to an earlier bill Rush introduced that would provide grants to schools to replace older water tanks manufactured prior to 1988. “As the Ranking Member of the Energy and Power Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Bustos and myself represent both Chicago and downstate Illinois within the two committees of jurisdiction over this issue,” said Rush. Rep. Bustos currently sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “This is a problem that predates all of our tenures, but we understand how widespread this issue is and what resources are going to be needed to address it from the local, state and federal levels to turn this issue around.” Last month, Rush and Bustos hosted a fact-finding, informational water infrastructure listening session at Avalon Park field house in Chicago. The October session included members from the Chicago Mayor’s Office, Chicago Department of Public Health, Chicago Department of Water Management, Environment and Economy Subcommittee, Illinois EPA and the Illinois Public Water Supply. The discussion covered the issue of lead in schools, parks and other public entities. As a result of the discussion, Rush and Bustos introduced this legislation in order to address the needs of their constituencies. Avalon Park is significant due to the fact that Chicago Park District officials found some of the highest lead levels therein samples collected during the summer. “I worked hard to secure several million dollars to replace lead pipes in one of our communities, however the problem of lead contamination in drinking water is widespread and must be addressed comprehensively,” said Bustos. “There is no safe level of lea… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bustos.house.gov/congresswoman-cheri-bustos-statement-explosion-canton/ Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Statement on the Explosion in Canton 2016-11-17 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Cheri Bustos B001286 bustos.house.gov     legacy “I want to express my deep condolences to the family of the individual killed in the explosion in Canton last night. I also want to offer my heartfelt prayers for those who were injured. Our office has been in close contact with state and local officials, as well as community and business leaders, since this incident occurred and we will continue to gather additional information as it becomes available. Canton is a great community that has overcome adversity before and I know we’ll pull together to heal and rebuild after this tragedy.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/press-conference-rep-guti-rrez-colleagues-call-president-obama-protect Press Conference: Rep. Gutirrez & Colleagues Call On President Obama to Protect DREAMers 2016-11-17 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Luis Gutiérrez G000535 gutierrez.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL) joined Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) in releasing a letter they wrote to President Obama asking him to use his pardon authority to protect DREAMers with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).  “We urge you to exercise your Constitutional authority to provide pardons to DREAMers both retroactively and prospectively,” the three lawmakers wrote.  The full text of the letter is here: Ltr to President on DACA and Pardon Authority - 11-2016 FINAL.pdfThey were joined at a press conference in the Capitol by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA).In his opening statement at the press conference, Rep. Gutiérrez said:Rep. Gutiérrez went on to say:The text of the opening remarks at the press conference (as prepared for delivery) is below.Rep. Gutiérrez represents the Fourth District of Illinois, is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, and is the Co-Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.  We are here because we all need to take a stand.  We need to stand up for what is right and make sure our communities do not despair or feel alone. There are 11 million undocumented immigrants in this country.  There are 5 million U.S. citizen children who have a parent who is undocumented.  And there are almost 750,000 young people who came forward, registered with the government and passed background checks as part of the DACA program. That is the group we are talking about today, but let us be clear, the entire community is vulnerable and this is just the first of many strategies we are evaluating and calling for  to do what we can to help make sure everyone is in a safe place. Right now, immigrant communities are frightened, and by that I mean citizens, legal immigrants, and undocumented immigrants, most of whom have lived here for one or two decades.  They are worried that their families will be destroyed, that they will lose their businesses and their livelihoods.  They are … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-statement-delegation-trip-rome-support-archbishop-cupich Quigley Statement on Delegation Trip to Rome in Support of Archbishop Cupich 2016-11-17 2016 2016-11 Democrat House IL Mike Quigley Q000023 quigley.house.gov     legacy CHICAGO — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement in advance of his trip to Rome with Mayor Emanuel and other city leaders to support Archbishop Blase Cupich as he is elevated to Cardinal in the Catholic Church: “It is an honor to join this delegation in Rome for what will be a historic and celebratory moment not just for Archbishop Cupich, but for the entire City of Chicago. Regardless of faith or denomination, Archbishop Cupich’s example of service and solicitude inspire us to be better stewards of this earth and all those who inhabit it. I thank him for his unrelenting efforts to promote tolerance, defend equality, and stand up for the most vulnerable in our society. “During a time when our nation is deeply divided, I reflect on Pope Francis’ historic address to Congress last year, where he discussed our moral obligation to rise above politics and party. From economic inequality and social justice to climate change and immigration, we must continue our work to find bipartisan solutions to the challenges we face. By working together we can ensure America remains a beacon of freedom, hope and opportunity for all who seek it.” ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z

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