Press Releases
Duckworth on Independent Investigation into Trump Administration’s Family Separation Policy: Not Only Inhumane and Cruel, but Utterly Incompetent Too
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Inspector General released its report on the Acting Inspector General's independent investigation regarding the Trump Administration's implementation of it's so called "zero-tolerance" that resulted in thousands of infants and children being separated from their parents at the border. "Once again, an independent investigation conducted by the … Continue Reading
October 01, 2018
Duckworth Helps Break Ground at the CREATE Program’s 75th Street Corridor Project with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and a number of Illinois and Chicagoland elected officials at the groundbreaking of the CREATE Program's 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project. Made possible in part thanks to the $132 million federal investment that Duckworth helped secure in June, this project of regional and national significance aims to eliminate freight congestion and reduce wait times at one of the worst … Continue Reading
October 01, 2018
As National Manufacturing Month Kicks Off, Duckworth, Durbin Announce over $400,000 to Boost Illinois Manufacturing
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $445,090 in federal funding today to help the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) in Peoria continue its work to help small businesses grow throughout Illinois. This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). "Investments like these help Illinois small business create jobs, improve efficiency and spur economic development," said … Continue Reading
October 01, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Trump Administration’s Inhumane “Public Charge” Proposal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to reports that the Trump Administration will propose a new rule that would allow immigration officials to deny green cards to immigrants for the wholly legal action of using public benefits like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "This proposal is as heartless as it is dangerous. My family teetered on the brink of homelessness when I was in high school and relied … Continue Reading
September 30, 2018
Duckworth to Trump’s EPA: Clean Power Plan Essential for Job Creation and Public Health in Illinois
[CHICAGO, IL] - In advance of tomorrow's EPA Field Hearing in Chicago regarding the Trump Administration's efforts to repeal the Clean Power Plan, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the public comments she intends to submit for the hearing outlining the harmful health, environmental and economic impacts Illinoisans, including the 120,000 who work in the clean energy sector, would experience if the Clean Power Plan is thrown out. Duckworth's comments also discuss how the elimination … Continue Reading
September 28, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $3.75 Million to Improve Southern Illinois Airport Infrastructure
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today $3,750,000 in federal funding for the Southern Illinois Airport Authority to upgrade airport infrastructure while boosting economic development and connectivity in the region. The funding, which comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA), is expected to create 45 new jobs and leverage $400,000 in private investment. "Airport infrastructure investments … Continue Reading
September 28, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Demand Meeting with EPA Acting Administrator after Regional Administrator Cancels Meeting Three Times with Little Notice or Explanation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) are demanding a meeting with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler to discuss a number of critical and timely issues affecting Illinoisans' health and well-being. The Senators' demand for a meeting with Wheeler comes after EPA Region 5 Administrator Cathy Stepp scheduled and confirmed, then cancelled, three separate meetings in recent months, providing little notice and … Continue Reading
September 27, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin & Foster Statement on EPA Testing Air Quality in Willowbrook for Cancer-Causing Emissions
Today, the EPA notified U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) that they have begun testing air quality near Willowbrook-based Sterigenics for emissions of ethylene oxide, which has been linked to elevated rates of a cancer and is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a known carcinogen. Sterigenics uses ethylene oxide to sterilize medical products and equipment. According to the 2014 National Air Toxins Assessment … Continue Reading
September 26, 2018
Crapo-Brown-Duckworth TRIP Act Passes Senate Unanimously
Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) lauded passage of the Transit Rail Inspection Practices Act, or "TRIP" Act, their bipartisan bill that ensures State safety programs are providing sufficient oversight of rail transit systems through inspections. Introduced in June, the legislation stems from the Committee's ongoing oversight work and recommendations from a Government Accountability … Continue Reading
September 26, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Latest Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Judge Brett Kavanaugh
In response to the latest allegation of sexual misconduct against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "The behavior Judge Kavanaugh is accused of is absolutely horrifying. There must be an immediate FBI investigation into his conduct followed by a Senate hearing in which relevant witnesses like Mark Judge are asked to testify and subpoenaed if necessary. Julie Swetnick has submitted this testimony under penalty of perjury. She and … Continue Reading
September 26, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Accept Letter Signed By More Than 1,400 Women & Men Who Attended D.C.-Area Schools in Support of Dr. Blasey Ford
One day before Dr. Christine Blasey Ford will testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) accepted a letter signed by over 1,400 women and men who attended school in the greater Northwest D.C. / Maryland area - including Dr. Blasey Ford's and Judge Kavanaugh's alma maters - to show support for and solidarity with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. "Courage. That's the word that comes … Continue Reading
September 25, 2018
Duckworth, Young, Kildee Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Families from Lead in Federally Assisted Housing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI) today introduced bipartisan legislation to protect families living in assisted housing from lead found in drinking water. The Get the Lead Out of Assisted Housing Act of 2018 would help protect families from lead exposure by requiring the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to inspect for lead service lines, create a grant program to address lead … Continue Reading
September 25, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin & Foster Ask EPA & Sterigenics to Test Air Quality in Willowbrook for Cancer-Causing Chemicals
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) wrote to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to Willowbrook-based Sterigenics asking them both to immediately conduct testing for local air quality for emissions of ethylene oxide, which has been found to cause cancer and is classified by the EPA as a known carcinogen. Sterigenics uses ethylene oxide to sterilize medical products and equipment. The Members of … Continue Reading
September 21, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $100 Million to Improve Chicago’s Red and Purple Lines
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $100 million in continued federal funding to make safety and accessibility upgrades on the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) red and purple lines. The CTA's Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Program will receive the funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Core Capacity Program, which is part of the Capital Investment Grants Program (CIG). The CIG provides roughly $2.3 billion each … Continue Reading
September 21, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $6 Million to Modernize Bloomington-Normal’s Bus Fleet
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the City of Bloomington-Normal will receive $6,000,000 in federal funding to purchase electric battery powered buses. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program. "Hardworking Illinoisans all across our state rely on our transit systems to commute to work, get to school and so much more," Duckworth said. "I'm … Continue Reading
September 21, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $4.5 Million to Modernize Decatur’s Bus Fleet
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the City of Decatur will receive $4,662,000 in federal funding to help the Decatur Public Transit System (DPTS) replace 18 aging buses and improve its current level of service. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program. "Hardworking Illinoisans all across our state rely on our transit systems to commute to work, … Continue Reading
September 20, 2018
On One Year Anniversary of Hurricane Maria, Duckworth Urges Trump to Recognize Official Death Toll and Improve Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico
On One Year Anniversary of Hurricane Maria, Duckworth Urges Trump to Recognize Official Death Toll and Improve Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico [WASHINGTON, DC] - On the one year anniversary of Hurricane Maria's landfall in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) denounced Donald Trump's recent statements denying the number of American citizens that were killed as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Duckworth joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) … Continue Reading
September 18, 2018
Duckworth, Casey, Hassan, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Strengthen the ADA & Help Small Businesses Become Accessible
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced legislation today with the Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee Bob Casey (D-PA), U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to make it easier for small businesses to become accessible for people with disabilities and help those businesses comply with the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Disabled Access Credit Expansion Act bolsters the existing Disabled Access Credit … Continue Reading
September 18, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Senate Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Address Opioid Crisis
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following the Senate's passage of bipartisan legislation last night to address the opioid crisis, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement. The Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 takes important steps to combat the opioid epidemic by establishing comprehensive opioid recovery centers, investing in community-based prevention efforts and giving law enforcement stronger tools to help confiscate illegal substances, such as fentanyl, that are being … Continue Reading
September 17, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Announce over $40,000 for Rural Development in Stephenson County
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $40,019 in federal funding today to help increase energy efficiency in Stephenson County. This funding comes from the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP), which is within the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) office of Rural Development. "Investments like these help communities in Stephenson County to reduce energy costs through advancements in renewable energy and energy efficiency," said … Continue Reading