Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin, Kelly Statement on Report of Additional Manganese Source In Southeast Chicago
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today released the following statements after a Chicago Tribune report found that air monitors recorded dangerous levels of brain-damaging manganese at Watco Transloading on Chicago's Southeast Side. The members raised concerns about the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) failure to consistently hold companies accountable for violations of the Clean Air Act, and … Continue Reading
December 12, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Trump Administration’s Rollback of Clean Water Rule
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced a proposal that would roll back the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule under the Clean Water Act of 1972. Duckworth is the senior-most Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife. "For more than 45 years, our nation has counted on the Clean … Continue Reading
December 12, 2018
Duckworth and Durbin Join Schatz, 12 Senators in Introducing New Bill to Help Protect People’s Personal Data Online
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and 12 of their colleagues today in introducing new legislation to protect people's personal data online. The Data Care Act would require apps, websites, and other online providers to take responsible steps to safeguard personal information and stop the misuse of users' data. "People have a basic expectation that the personal information they provide to websites and apps … Continue Reading
December 11, 2018
Duckworth Votes for Farm Bill to Support Farmers & Illinois Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after voting for the farm bill, which just overwhelmingly passed the Senate. The legislation included several Illinois priorities and includes provisions that will ensure farmers receive the assistance they need, support Veteran farmers and urban agriculture efforts, improve drinking water and expand access to high-speed internet in rural communities, and create historic investments in land and … Continue Reading
December 11, 2018
Duckworth Meets with Retired Mineworkers from Southern Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with retired Illinois mineworkers from Coulterville, Du Quoin, Millstadt and Taylorville to discuss the critical importance of protecting their pensions. Pictures from today's meeting are available here. "Our mineworkers worked hard every day in difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions because they wanted to provide a good life for their families and they knew that when they were no longer able to work, their pensions … Continue Reading
December 07, 2018
Duckworth Tours Tornado-Impacted Neighborhoods and Meets With First Responders in Taylorville
[TAYLORVILLE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) visited Taylorville today to see the impacts of the EF-3 tornado and learn more about response and recovery efforts. Duckworth met with the Christian County Emergency Management team, toured the impacted neighborhoods and visited the Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC), which will provide much-needed assistance to those affected by this disaster. Photos from today's visit are available here. "The loss hundreds of families experienced in … Continue Reading
December 07, 2018
Duckworth: EPA’s Confirmation of High Levels of Ethylene Oxide Near Sterigenics Proves Need for Greater Government Transparency & Further Action
[WILLOWBROOK, IL] - After U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) repeatedly called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be transparent and publicly release its data showing levels of toxic ethylene oxide (EtO) in the air surrounding Sterigenics' Willowbrook medical sterilization facility, the EPA finally announced today that it had-as suspected-found levels of the carcinogen high enough to cause a public health risk for Illinoisans living nearby. Duckworth issued the following … Continue Reading
December 06, 2018
Duckworth Urges VA to Fully Repay Every Veteran Impacted By GI Benefits Backlog, Ensure They Do Not Suffer Lasting Financial Harm As A Result of VA’s Failures
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), wrote to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie today to ensure VA fully repays every Veteran the benefits they are owed - with interest - under the post 9/11 "Forever GI Bill," but have not received due to VA's massive payments backlog. Duckworth urged VA to also assume any financial penalties Veterans incur because of VA's failure to make on-time … Continue Reading
December 06, 2018
Duckworth Introduces Legislation to Make Fitness Facilities More Accessible for People with Disabilities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced legislation to make fitness facilities across American more accessible for those with disabilities. The Exercise and Fitness for All Act would establish new federal guidelines to help ensure people with disabilities have the same opportunity to use fitness facilities as their able-bodied peers, and it would allow small businesses to use the Disabled Access Tax Credit to help cover the purchase of accessible exercise … Continue Reading
December 06, 2018
Duckworth Awarded U.S. International Council on Disabilities’ Dole-Harkin Award for Her Leadership in Advancing Disability Rights
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) was awarded with the United States International Council on Disabilities's (USICD) Dole-Harkin award this evening in recognition of her efforts to promote and expand rights for people with disabilities. The Dole-Harkin award honors American policymakers for their service to the global disability community in advancing the rights, opportunities and dignity or persons with disabilities, and previous recipients include Senators John Barasso … Continue Reading
December 06, 2018
Duckworth Urges VA to Fully Repay Every Veteran Impacted by GI Benefits Backlog, Ensure They Do Not Suffer Lasting Financial Harm As A Result of VA’s Failures
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), wrote to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie today to ensure VA fully repays every Veteran the benefits they are owed - with interest - under the post 9/11 "Forever GI Bill," but have not received due to VA's massive payments backlog. Duckworth urged VA to also assume any financial penalties Veterans incur because of VA's failure to make on-time … Continue Reading
December 06, 2018
Senate Passes Bipartisan Duckworth-Kennedy-Durbin Legislation to Strengthen Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - The U.S. Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation today that was introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Kennedy (R-LA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) to help Veteran entrepreneurs grow their small businesses and expand economy opportunity. The Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act, which now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives, would allow Veteran small business owners to acquire equipment and property that the federal government no longer has a … Continue Reading
December 04, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $36 Million for Illinois Community Health Centers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) AND Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded five community health centers in Illinois a total of $36,726,488 through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program. Community health centers are community-based organizations that improve access to affordable, high-quality health care in underserved urban and rural communities by integrating … Continue Reading
December 03, 2018
Durbin, Duckworth Statement on Honoring Illinois' Bicentennial
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement today honoring the 200th anniversary of the founding of the State of Illinois. Earlier this year, Durbin and Duckworth introduced a resolution - that unanimously passed the Senate - honoring and celebrating the State of Illinois and the Illinoisans who have participated in cultivating the rich history of the State. "Illinois has seen a lot over its 200-year history and today we … Continue Reading
December 03, 2018
Duckworth: New Rule Requiring Airlines to Finally Report Number of Lost Bags & Broken Wheelchairs Will Help Ensure Travelers Are Treated With Dignity & Respect
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - As a result of legislation that was passed by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and double amputee, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is scheduled to finally implement a new rule tomorrow that will require air carriers to disclose for the first time how many checked bags, wheelchairs and motorized scooters they damage or mishandle each month. The rule is expected to lower the large number of wheelchairs that airlines damage each year and bring … Continue Reading
December 01, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the passing of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush: "Rest in Peace to a great statesman who guided our nation through challenging times and the end of the Cold War. I did not agree with President Bush on every issue but will be forever grateful that he signed the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act into law, which has helped our country become more inclusive and made it possible for people of … Continue Reading
November 30, 2018
Duckworth Hosts Community Roundtable on Ethylene Oxide Exposure
[DARIEN, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a roundtable discussion in DuPage County today where she heard from Willowbrook-area residents affected by exposure to known-carcinogen ethylene oxide. Community members discussed their concerns about exposure to ethylene oxide emissions from Sterigenics, the Willowbrook-based medical sterilization facility, with Duckworth, who introduced two new pieces of legislation this week in response to the public health crisis. Photos from … Continue Reading
November 30, 2018
Duckworth, Klobuchar, Van Hollen Introduce Legislation to Keep Jobs in the United States
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced legislation this week to close a loophole created by the new tax law that encourages U.S. companies to move jobs and operations overseas in order to minimize their tax liability. The Removing Incentives for Outsourcing Act will eliminate an unfair incentive that allows U.S. companies to use excess foreign tax credits (FTCs) to shelter profits in tax havens. "Despite … Continue Reading
November 30, 2018
Duckworth and Hatch Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Support At-Risk Youth & Help Eliminate Homelessness
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), along with Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Jack Reed (D-RI), introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize November as National Runaway Prevention Month. The resolution, if passed, would help raise awareness of the runaway and homeless youth crisis and educate the public about how to help end youth homelessness. "It is a tragedy when any child does not have a safe roof over … Continue Reading
November 29, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin, Krishnamoorthi, Quigley Statement on O’Hare Western Access Framework Agreement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following today's approval by the Illinois Tollway Authority of a framework agreement with Canadian Pacific Railway and Union Pacific Railway to move the Elgin-O'Hare Western Access (EOWA) project forward, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) issued the following statement: "The Elgin-O'Hare Western Access project is vital to our regional, state … Continue Reading
