Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $1.9 Billion Funding Agreement with FTA to Support Chicago's Red Line Extension Project
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09) announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) intends to sign a full funding grant agreement for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)’s Red Line Extension Project. The funding agreement will contractually … Continue Reading
December 18, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin, Sorensen Call for Extension of Federal Funding for Chicago-Quad Cities Passenger Rail Project
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg urging him to grant an extension for the federal funding secured for the proposed Chicago-Quad Cities passenger rail project, an Amtrak route between Chicago and Moline, Illinois. In their letter, the lawmakers emphasized that progress has been made in the planning phase of the … Continue Reading
December 17, 2024
Aviation Safety Subcommittee Chair Duckworth Joins DOT Secretary Buttigieg to Celebrate New Rule Enhancing Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the CST Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—joined U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to celebrate the new finalized rule to expand the rights of passengers with disabilities in air travel. This rule mandates that airlines meet more stringent standards … Continue Reading
December 17, 2024
Duckworth, Senators Question Hegseth Nomination, His Disqualifying Views on Women in the Military, Allegations of Sexual Assault
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)—members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—joined U.S. Senators and fellow SASC members Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) in sending a letter to Susan Wiles, President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming Chief of Staff, about whether Pete Hegseth’s attitudes toward women and allegations of sexual assault and … Continue Reading
December 16, 2024
Duckworth Discusses Agricultural Priorities with Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) President Brian Duncan and IFB members to discuss shared priorities to grow Illinois’s agriculture industry and support our farmers. In their meeting, Duckworth and the members discussed the importance of supporting our family farmers at home by expanding biofuels production, increasing agricultural export markets and improving farm safety net programs. Photos from the Senator’s meeting can be … Continue Reading
December 16, 2024
Aviation Safety Subcommittee Chair Duckworth Responds to New DOT Rule Enhancing Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the CST Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—issued the following statement in reaction to the Department of Transportation’s finalization of a rule that will expand the rights of passengers with disabilities. This rule mandated that airlines meet more stringent standards for accommodating Americans who use … Continue Reading
December 16, 2024
Duckworth Votes Against Confirming John Ratcliffe as CIA Director
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe by a vote of 74-25 to serve as CIA Director under President Trump: “When questioned during his last confirmation hearing about his views on torture during the first Trump Administration, John Ratcliffe had weak responses even compared to his fellow nominees—refusing to openly condemn torture as a tactic against captured adversaries. He has … Continue Reading
December 16, 2024
Duckworth Visits JALC Nursing Program Expansion Made Possible by $1+ Million Federal Investment She Secured
[CARTERVILLE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) visited John A. Logan College (JALC) to see firsthand the impacts that a $1,235,000 federal investment she secured through Fiscal Year 2024 Congressionally Directed Spending is having on the college’s nursing program. This Duckworth-secured federal investment enabled JALC to build new classrooms and purchase equipment to better prepare students for careers in health and nursing. While on campus, Duckworth also met with Dr. Kirk … Continue Reading
December 16, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $10 Million in Federal Funding for Purpose-Grown Energy Crops
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $10 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office awarded to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This project will advance the production of low carbon intensity, purpose-grown energy crops that will accelerate a clean energy economy by expanding the domestic supply chain of alternative carbon … Continue Reading
December 14, 2024
Duckworth Meets with Southern Illinois Airport Director, Tours SIU’s Glenn Poshard Transportation Education Center
[MURPHYSBORO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation, met with Gary Shafer, Director of the Southern Illinois Airport that she recently secured $500,000 in federal funding for, and toured Southern Illinois University’s Glenn Poshard Transportation Education Center with SIU Chancellor Dr. Austin Lane and former U.S. Representative … Continue Reading
December 13, 2024
Duckworth Highlights Need to Protect IVF Access, Pass Her Right to IVF Act During Carterville Roundtable
[CARTERVILLE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted a discussion at John A. Logan College with IVF providers, advocates and families on the challenges they face with IVF access at risk across the country after Donald Trump’s Supreme Court Justices overturned Roe v. Wade. She was joined by local IVF recipients, as well as doctors, medical professionals and leaders from SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Shawnee Health, Washington University and Deaconess Illinois. Duckworth, … Continue Reading
December 13, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin, Quigley Call on Transportation Leaders to Reach Agreement, Finalize Federal Funding for Chicago Hub Improvement Project
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) today sent a letter to the leaders of Amtrak, Canadian National, Metra, and Union Pacific, urging the leaders to reach an agreement on all outstanding aspects of Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s upcoming federal grant application to advance the Chicago Hub Improvement Project (CHIP) for Chicago Union Station (CUS). The … Continue Reading
December 13, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $7 Million to Help Prepare Young Illinoisans to Succeed in High-Demand Careers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced more than $7 million in grant funding for five youth organizations in Illinois participating in the U.S. Department of Labor’s YouthBuild Program, which is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program that provides job training and educational services for 16 to 24 year-olds who left school without a secondary diploma. “I’m glad to see this funding go to these important organizations across our … Continue Reading
December 12, 2024
Duckworth Celebrates Commerce Committee Advancing Amtrak Board of Directors Disability Advocate
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and author of the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Act—issued the following statement after the full committee voted to advance David Capozzi to serve on Amtrak’s Board of Directors. Capozzi would serve in the designated disability advocate seat on the board, which was created by a provision Duckworth authored and successfully included in … Continue Reading
December 12, 2024
Duckworth’s Aviation Safety Subcommittee Emphasizes Urgent Need to Improve Air Traffic Control Systems to Prevent Near-Misses and Protect Flying Public
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator and pilot Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Chair of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—led a subcommittee hearing focused on the challenges facing our passenger aviation system amid the busy holiday travel season, where she underscored the urgent need to invest in updated air traffic control (ATC) systems and equipment to prevent near-misses and protect the flying public. This … Continue Reading
December 12, 2024
Aviation Safety Subcommittee Chair Duckworth Reacts to FAA Administrator Whitaker’s Decision to Resign
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator and pilot Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the CST Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—issued the following statement in reaction to FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker’s decision to resign on January 20, 2025: “I am saddened to learn of FAA Administrator Whitaker’s plan to resign next month. His leadership has been invaluable during this critical … Continue Reading
December 12, 2024
Duckworth Meets with Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Advocates, Reiterates Call to Protect Lives
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Illinois community members and gun violence prevention advocates and survivors to discuss their shared efforts to save American lives and pass common-sense gun safety reform like the federal assault weapons ban. The meeting included representatives from Highland Park, Moms Demand Action in Illinois and the Newtown Action Alliance. Photos from today’s meeting are available on the Senator’s website. “The needless and … Continue Reading
December 12, 2024
Duckworth, Cardin and Colleagues: Venezuela’s Demand for Freedom Will Not Be Silenced
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—joined SFRC Chair Ben Cardin (D-MD) and other members of SFRC in issuing the following statement condemning the Maduro regime’s ongoing campaign of intimidation against opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, her family and peaceful protestors across Venezuela: “On July 28, despite arbitrary candidate bans, rampant censorship, and organized intimidation, … Continue Reading
December 11, 2024
Duckworth Joins Durbin, Colleagues in Requesting President Biden Protect Immigrant Families Ahead of the Inauguration of President-Elect Trump
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and other Senate Democrats in sending a letter calling on President Joe Biden to protect immigrant families before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. “As Senators who represent diverse states across our nation and who collectively represent millions of immigrant families, we write to express our deep concern about the threat the … Continue Reading
December 11, 2024
Duckworth Discusses Northeastern Illinois Water Infrastructure Projects with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Chicago District Commander Colonel Kenneth Rockwell to discuss a number of issues, including updates on their flood risk management, ecosystem restoration and invasive species protection efforts throughout Northeastern Illinois. Photos from the meeting are available on the Senator’s website. “Protecting and strengthening our inland waterways is critical to growing our local economies … Continue Reading