In The News
U.S. Senators Durbin and Duckworth want answers from Alden over plans for Tribune Publishing
U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth sent a letter Thursday to Alden Global Capital requesting the New York-based hedge fund disclose its plans for Tribune Publishing after an ownership standstill agreement expires in June. The letter, addressed to Alden President Heath Freeman, expressed concerns over the hedge fund's "practices of mass layoffs" at other newspaper properties and a "lack of transparency" surrounding its investors, among other issues. "We are deeply concerned that Alden … Continue Reading
March 11, 2020
Senators press Trump deputy EPA pick at confirmation hearing
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle pressed President Trump's pick for the No. 2 position at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on a range of issues during an at times contentious Senate hearing Wednesday. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) pressed Douglas Benevento about ethanol requirement exemptions for small refineries after a federal court ruled that the EPA would have to reconsider certain waivers. The EPA has the option to appeal the court's decision. "Can … Continue Reading
March 09, 2020
Congressmembers host infrastructure meeting
Members of Chicago's Congressional delegation met with commissioners from various transportation departments within Chicago to discuss what infrastructure needs should have priority on Thursday. Democratic Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin joined U.S. Reps. Sean Casten, Chuy Garcia, Robin Kelly, and Brad Schneider as they met with Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee, Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Gia Biagi, and Chicago Transit Authority President … Continue Reading
March 06, 2020
Bill on immigration policy for children of U.S. servicemembers, civil servants passes Senate
(KFVS) - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and former Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) introduced bipartisan legislation to change a current law that creates a disadvantage for certain children whose parents are serving the nation abroad in uniform or in the civil service. The Citizenship for Children of Military Members & Civil Servants Act is now headed to the President after it passed the Senate on March 6. According to officials with the Senate, the changes would modernize Section 320 … Continue Reading
March 04, 2020
At hearing on coronavirus, Senate panel learns that despite progress, gaps remain in aviation response to outbreaks
The government has improved its ability to respond to outbreaks that impact the flying public, but information gaps can hamper efforts to get information to the public and to quickly reach those who may be at risk of exposure, officials told a Senate panel Wednesday. Even as some lawmakers praised the Trump administration, saying the decision to restrict air traffic from China and bar non-U. S. citizens from affected regions from entering the country, they acknowledged that more work is … Continue Reading
February 28, 2020
50 women who made history as the first to do these extraordinary things
Tammy Duckworth is the first woman with a disability elected to the House and the Senate. Tammy Duckworth became the first disabled woman elected to Congress in 2012. She is a Iraq War veteran, and lost her legs while when her helicopter was struck during her deployment. She told the Washington Post, "I was hurt in service for my country. I was proud to go. It was my duty as a soldier to go. And I would go tomorrow." In 2016, she was elected to the Senate, where she became the first disabled … Continue Reading
February 26, 2020
Sen. Tammy Duckworth talks about climate change
(WSIL) -- Climate change can be a politically divisive issue. On her website, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, D of Illinois, says climate change "poses grave national security, public health and economic threats" to the United States. But Sen. Duckworth also sees opportunity. She thinks taking on climate change could boost the economy here in southern Illinois. "Our universities - Southern Illinois University, University of Illinois - are all working on other alternative biofuels that are not … Continue Reading
February 25, 2020
Senators demand ‘full investigation’ into VA Sec handling of sexual assault case at DC VA
Six senators are demanding an investigation into how Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie handled a sexual assault reported by a veteran at a VA hospital last year. Senators Patty Murray, Sherrod Brown, Richard Blumenthal, Mazie Hirono, Bernie Sanders and Tammy Duckworth sent a letter to the VA Office of the Inspector General on Monday calling for the investigation into what they called "deeply concerning reports" that VA officials -- prompted by Wilkie -- "improperly … Continue Reading
February 25, 2020
Duckworth: Army's New Helicopters Should Not Be Designed for Anyone Else
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida -- Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot, said recently that the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force would have to wait their turn if they want their own version of the Army's futuristic helicopters being developed under the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) effort. The Illinois Democrat and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee recently attended a high-profile flight demonstration of Sikorsky-Boeing's new SB-1 Defiant helicopter that was designed … Continue Reading
February 21, 2020
Senators Call on Highway Administration to Finalize Car Seat Test Rules
Citing "an urgent matter of public safety," two U.S. senators are pressing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to immediately finalize side-impact crash test standards for children's car seats. Responding to a ProPublica investigation, Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, admonished regulators for failing to meet the requirements of two laws. Nearly 20 years ago, Congress passed a law … Continue Reading
February 14, 2020
This proposed law would help deported veterans finish the citizenship process
Last summer, Customs and Border Patrol stopped a deported Marine Corps veteran on his way to a citizenship interview from entering the U.S. at the San Ysidro, California checkpoint. Though former Sgt. Roman Sabal's story was complicated, it inspired Army veteran Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, to propose a bill Thursday that would require CBP to allow deportees to attend appointments at ports of entry, consulates or embassies without having to make their case for "advance parole," which … Continue Reading
February 13, 2020
Senators Duckworth and Durbin announce public housing funding
U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin announced $21,084,252 in federal funding today. The funding is through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Public Housing Capital Fund to help public housing authorities throughout central Illinois. According to the announcement, all the following public housing authorities will receive funds: Peoria Housing Authority: $2,632,932 Franklin County Housing Authority: $1,744,779 Springfield Housing Authority: … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
With Chicago’s shoreline threatened, protection may have to wait as feds delay money for study
Chicago will have to wait at least another year for a study that could kick-start long-term shoreline protection. A report reevaluating the Chicago shoreline was not funded in the Army Corps of Engineers' 2020 work plan. With lake levels expected to remain high, boulders enveloping beaches, conditions exacerbated by climate change and residents wondering what to do as water creeps up to their homes, the study could have begun a yearslong process to guard sections of the shoreline … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020
Duckworth receives Jane Addams Medal from Rockford University
Rockford University gives Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D - Illinois) the Jane Addams Medal of Distinguished Service, the university's highest honor. University president Eric Fulcomer presented the award to Duckworth for her work in making higher education more accessible. The Jane Addams award is given to those who are pioneers in their careers and show outstanding character. Duckworth also noted the importance of investing in career and technical training programs to connect students with … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020
Illinois Congressional Delegation Urges FEMA to Support State's Request for Extension of Flood Damage Assessment in Cook and Lake Counties
Today, members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Peter Gaynor supporting Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's request for an extension from FEMA in the State conducting a Preliminary Damage Assessment of the flooding event that occurred from January 10-11, 2020. Last month, severe storms brought rain, snow, ice, and high winds in excess of 50 miles per hour to Cook and Lake Counties. This caused Lake Michigan water … Continue Reading
February 07, 2020
Duckworth urges FAA to require epipens on every flight
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Il), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-Ny) and U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-Ca) urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to require that more U.S.-based airlines as well as regional air carriers and all cargo operators, include epinephrine auto-injectors (epipens) in their on-board emergency medical kits. Duckworth and Khanna sent a letter this week after the FAA shared the Aerospace Medical Association recommendations for emergency … Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
Illinois Lawmakers Invite Special Guests to Attend President Trump’s State of the Union Address
A large group of Illinois lawmakers will be attending President Donald Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday night, and many will be bringing special guests. U. S. Senator Dick Durbin will be accompanied by Westinghouse College Prep student De'andre Wilborn, according to a press release. Wilborn is a talented student-athlete who met Sen. Durbin last October. The two took part in a round-table event at Westinghouse about the "Northwestern Medicine Scholars Program," which has a … Continue Reading
January 29, 2020
After $25,000 fee, wheelchair users wait for better Amtrak stations, trains
Amtrak's decision to charge two wheelchair users $25,000 to ride a train in Illinois generated a firestorm of criticism from disability advocacy groups and lawmakers. Though Amtrak reversed that decision and changed its policy for accommodating wheelchair users, the railroad has been slow to make progress on improving the accessibility of its stations and trains. It's been 30 years since Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act. Amtrak was given until 2010 to comply with the … Continue Reading
January 29, 2020
Duckworth: Even Trump's lawyers made the case for witnesses
Senator Tammy Duckworth talks with Rachel Maddow and an MSNBC panel about how both the House impeachment managers and Donald Trump's lawyers have made it clear that introducing witnesses and documents would help Senators make a more informed decision about convicting … Continue Reading
January 28, 2020
Senators Duckworth, Durbin urge Amtrak to change its disability policy
NORMAL, Ill. - Amtrak will begin reviewing its nationwide disability policy, after CEO Richard Anderson met with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill). The meeting comes after the rail company mistakenly charged a group of wheelchair riders $25,000 to travel from Chicago to Normal. According to a press release from Duckworth's office, Anderson admitted the charge was improper and apologized. He then promised the two that the company will work with Congress to bring … Continue Reading
