Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Additional $8 Million In Federal Funding To Support COVID-19 Response In Illinois
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded $6.3 million to the State of Illinois and $1.7 million to the City of Chicago to support COVID-19 response. This is in addition to funding previously provided by the CDC, for a total of $23.7 million for Illinois and $12.2 million for Chicago. "Our nation's health care system and state and local health departments are on the … Continue Reading
April 07, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join Van Hollen in Writing Bipartisan Letters in Support of Peace Corps, AmeriCorps Volunteers
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and nearly two dozen of their Senate colleagues in sending two bipartisan letters seeking clarity on unemployment benefits and work opportunities for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and other national service participants. In the first letter, the Members urge Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia to clarify that the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program passed within the CARES Act … Continue Reading
April 05, 2020
Duckworth Statement on Trump’s Firing of Widely Respected Inspector General Michael Atkinson
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after Donald Trump fired Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Michael Atkinson, whose handling of the Ukraine whistleblower complaint was described as "by the book" by Michael Horowitz, the U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General and Chair of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency: "Once again, Donald Trump puts his own self-interest ahead of the public interest. … Continue Reading
April 04, 2020
Duckworth to Pence: Immediately Use Defense Production Act Authority to Effectively Coordinate Distribution of Medical Supplies
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Gary Peters (D-MI) yesterday wrote to U.S. Vice President Mike Pence requesting President Trump direct the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to exercise its authority under the Defense Production Act (DPA) to improve the distribution of medical supplies to hospitals, frontline providers and first responders across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senators also called on Trump to direct … Continue Reading
April 04, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join Bipartisan Letter Urging USDA to Ensure Continuity of Food Supply by Supporting Farmers During COVID-19 Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Hoeven (R-ND), and 30 of their colleagues in writing a bipartisan letter to Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, urging the Administration to ensure the continuity of our country's food supply and to support rural areas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by providing needed relief to farmers. "We write to ask that you take action to ensure the continuity of … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Duckworth Leads Call For Investigation into Suspicious Deletion of Online Information on the Strategic National Stockpile
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) in demanding an immediate independent investigation into potential improper political interference in the management of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). The senators' letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) comes as a response to reports that the SNS website was altered to reflect … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $1.6 Billion in COVID-19 Relief Bill Funding for Illinois Transit
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded the State of Illinois a total of $1,623,200,130 in federal transit formula funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funding will allow Illinois's transit agencies to continue operations during the COVID-19 response ensuring transportation access to jobs, medical treatment, food, and other essential … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin, Colleagues Call on Administration to Ensure Veterans, SSI Beneficiaries get Stimulus Checks Automatically
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 43 colleagues in calling on the Trump Administration to issue stimulus checks automatically to recipients of benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Supplemental Security Income program. In their letter, the Senators point out that these are two groups with large amounts of non-filers and … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $147 Million to Support Community Services in Illinois as Part of COVID-19 Relief Package
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will receive more than $147 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding was provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which was signed into law last week and will be distributed across Illinois through HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) program … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Duckworth to VA Secretary Wilkie: Cover Costs of COVID-19 Testing and Treatment for Veterans Living and Travelling Abroad
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today wrote to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie requesting that VA act swiftly to cover the costs of COVID-19 treatment under the VA's Foreign Medical Program (FMP) for Veterans living and travelling abroad. While FMP benefits are currently limited to services that are medically necessary to treat a service-connected disability or condition, the recently enacted bipartisan COVID-19 relief … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Duckworth Urges Administration to Continue Covering All Costs of National Guard Troops Activation
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) along with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) today wrote to President Donald J. Trump requesting that the Administration extend the Title 32 authority for all National Guard troops activated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for at least 180 days. By doing so, the federal government would continue covering 100 percent of the costs of this activation. On March 30, Trump … Continue Reading
April 02, 2020
Duckworth Speaks with Organizations Serving Vulnerable Illinoisans about COVID-19 Response
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke with officials from several Illinois organizations serving vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. During these discussions, Duckworth discussed how the bipartisan CARES Act stimulus law may help these organizations, checked in about each organization's response to and issues stemming from the pandemic and asked what additional federal resources might be needed in the months ahead so they can continue supporting their … Continue Reading
April 02, 2020
Duckworth Speaks with Illinois Farm Bureau President about COVID-19 Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) recently spoke with Illinois Farm Bureau (ILFB) President Richard Guebert about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Duckworth and Guebert discussed how the CARES Act relief funding will benefit farmers across Illinois and the role of ILFB in educating their members about opportunities and challenges during this public health crisis. "The strength of America's farmers reflects the strength of our nation," Duckworth said. "I had a … Continue Reading
April 01, 2020
Duckworth and Durbin Join Hassan, Brown and Colleagues in Calling for Social Security Recipients to Get Direct Cash Assistance Without Having to File Tax Return
[WASHINGTON, DC] - While the CARES Act that the president signed into law last week ensured that the Treasury Department had the authority to send automatic direct cash assistance to Social Security beneficiaries regardless of whether they file taxes or not, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released contradictory guidance earlier this week stating that Social Security beneficiaries would need to file tax returns in order to receive direct payments. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick … Continue Reading
March 31, 2020
Duckworth Hosts Telephone Town Hall on COVID-19
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted a telephone town hall reaching roughly 50,000 Illinoisans to provide updates on the COVID-19 pandemic. On the call, Duckworth answered questions about a number of issues including how the new stimulus law affects Illinoisans and the precautions every Illinoisan should be taking to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Duckworth was joined at the teletown hall by University of Chicago Medicine Executive Medical Director Dr. Emily … Continue Reading
March 31, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin, Underwood, Members of the Illinois Delegation Urge Trump Administration to Implement A Federally Coordinated Effort to Meet Illinois’ Need for Personal Protective Equipment
WASHINGTON— Today, Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) joined Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and a group of 11 members of the Illinois delegation in a letter to President Trump, urging the Administration to immediately implement a federally coordinated effort to meet Illinois’ need for personal protective equipment (PPE). In the letter, members outlined the life-threatening shortage of respirators, masks, protective eyewear, face shields, gloves, … Continue Reading
March 30, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Discuss COVID-19 Response With Rock Island Arsenal
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), today discussed how the U.S. Army is utilizing the Rock Island Arsenal to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with the Army Materiel Command's General Gustave Perna and Executive Deputy to the Commanding General Lisha Adams. On a call with General Perna and Ms. Adams, the members asked how the manufacturing capabilities at Rock Island Arsenal could be used as … Continue Reading
March 28, 2020
Duckworth Speaks with Health Providers across Illinois to Discuss COVID-19 Response
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke with health providers based in Illinois this week about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. During these discussions, Duckworth discussed the bipartisan COVID-19 relief compromise, checked in about each stakeholder's response to the pandemic and asked what additional federal resources are needed so they can continue supporting their employees, members and the community throughout this public health crisis. Senator Duckworth … Continue Reading
March 27, 2020
Duckworth-supported Bill to Relieve Small Business Loan Payments Included in Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief Compromise
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Legislation supported by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) that would provide financial relief for small businesses across the country was included in the bipartisan COVID-19 relief compromise that passed out of the Senate earlier this week. The $17 billion Small Business Debt Relief Act would ensure that the 320,000 small business across the country with a loan backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) are relieved from loan payments-including principal, interest, … Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Outline Illinois Priorities Included in Senate-Passed Bipartisan Covid-19 Pandemic Relief Bill
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statements after the Senate unanimously passed the third coronavirus stimulus package - the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass tomorrow. "Illinois and Governor Pritzker acted quickly to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, but our state-like the rest of the country-is still struggling … Continue Reading
