Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Nearly $1 Million in Federal Funding for Firefighter Resources
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded a total of $981,573 to communities across Illinois through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The AFG program provides first-responder organizations with the ability to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles and training in an effort to strengthen the … Continue Reading
August 30, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Illinois Attorney General's Lawsuit to Ensure Comprehensive Reform to Chicago Police Department
[WASHINGTON, DC] - In response to the Illinois Attorney General's lawsuit against the City of Chicago to ensure the City enacts comprehensive, lasting reform of the Chicago Police Department, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "With the President and Attorney General Sessions' seeming unwillingness to seriously address the culture of bias and mistrust at the Chicago Police Department, I'm pleased that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is taking action … Continue Reading
August 27, 2017
Duckworth Discusses Economic Development at Marion Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit
[MARION, IL] - Friday, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) participated in the Marion Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit where she highlighted the importance of creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity for hardworking families across Illinois through investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and small business development. "If we want to create new economic opportunities for working families, we are going to need to make it easier for local businesses to get off the ground," … Continue Reading
August 24, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Trump's Pardon of Sheriff Joe Arpaio
[WASHINGTON, DC] - In response to President Trump's pardon of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "A man who uses the tools of government to discriminate against innocents and deny civil rights does not deserve a presidential pardon. In the wake of Charlottesville, President Trump is continuing to send the wrong message and abandoning his responsibility to unite our divided … Continue Reading
August 24, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Reports Trump Administration Directing DOD to Discriminate Against Transgender Servicemembers
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Following reports that the White House is sending guidance to the Pentagon directing the Department of Defense to implement President Trump's new discriminatory ban on transgender troops serving in the U.S. military, U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "When I was bleeding to death in my Black Hawk helicopter after I was shot down, I didn't care if the American troops risking their lives to help save me were gay, … Continue Reading
August 21, 2017
Duckworth Highlights Importance of Anti-Hunger Programs with Illinois Hunger Coalition
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined representatives of the Illinois Hunger Coalition (IHC), a statewide organization dedicated to ending hunger, Tuesday to highlight the importance of anti-hunger initiatives like the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Duckworth also criticized the President's proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides millions of children and families with critical support to curb domestic hunger. A photo of … Continue Reading
August 21, 2017
Duckworth Discusses Agricultural Priorities with Illinois Farm Bureau
[BLOOMINGTON, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with members of the Illinois Farm Bureau Wednesday to discuss agricultural priorities and the important role Illinois farmers and ranchers play in both the state and national economies. Duckworth also highlighted the negative impact of President Trump's proposed budget cuts to rural development. A photo of the meeting is available here. "I was glad to meet with the Illinois Farm Bureau to hear directly from Illinois farmers about key … Continue Reading
August 21, 2017
Duckworth Hears Priorities and Concerns at Latino Policy Forum Roundtable
[CHICAGO, IL] - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) participated in a roundtable with community leaders hosted by the Latino Policy Forum, an organization dedicated to transforming public policy through the leadership of the Latino community. The discussion covered a diversity of issues including immigration reform, education, small business development and healthcare. A photo of the roundtable can be found here. "From Gage Park to Pilsen and from Little Village to Humboldt … Continue Reading
August 20, 2017
Duckworth Statement on President Trump’s Afghanistan Address
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After President Trump's address regarding Afghanistan, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement: "Tonight's speech was filled with bluster but devoid of details and raised far more questions than it answered. In failing to outline any serious definition of progress or success, the President is putting our troops and our NATO allies in danger without giving them the certainty they need and deserve from their … Continue Reading
August 20, 2017
Duckworth Hosts Small Business Development Workshop to Promote Regional Economic Growth
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a small business development workshop Tuesday in conjunction with the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) and the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC) to provide tips, tools and best practices for nearly 75 small business owners. Duckworth also discussed how investments in infrastructure, education and small business development can help create jobs and expand economic opportunities for hardworking families in Illinois. A … Continue Reading
August 17, 2017
Duckworth Tours Union Station Ahead of Major Redevelopment Initiative
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) toured Union Station with representatives from Amtrak and Metra to learn about Union Station's Master Redevelopment Plan, which will revitalize Union Station by improving its accessibility to streets and Chicago Transit Authority systems, making the station fully ADA-compliant and increasing the station's capacity. A photo of the tour can be found here. "For nearly 100 years, Union Station has been a critical transportation center and … Continue Reading
August 16, 2017
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $2 Million in Federal Funding for Firefighter Resources
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded a total of $2,211,612 to communities across Illinois through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The AFG program provides first-responder organizations with the ability to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles and training in an effort to strengthen … Continue Reading
August 16, 2017
Duckworth: New Report Confirms Trump’s Sabotage of Healthcare System Would Cause Premiums to Skyrocket & Add Billions to Deficit
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After a non-partisan analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that healthcare premiums would rise by 20 percent next year and the federal budget deficit would increase by nearly $200 billion if President Trump carries out his threat to sabotage the American healthcare system by ending cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments that help keep premiums affordable, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "President Trump's … Continue Reading
August 14, 2017
On CTA Blue Line, Duckworth Underscores Importance of Transit Accessibility
[CHICAGO, IL] - On the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined representatives from Access Living, an organization committed to fostering an inclusive society for Chicagoans with disabilities to live fully-engaged and self-directed lives, to underscore the need for investments to achieve the goal of 100 percent compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) across the entire CTA system. Following the 27th anniversary of the ADA, … Continue Reading
August 14, 2017
Duckworth Reacts to President Trump’s Continued Minimization of the White Nationalist Threat to Americans
[CHICAGO, IL] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after President Trump once again blamed this weekend's violence in Charlottesville on "both sides" and minimized the threat racist white nationalists and neo-Nazis pose to American citizens across the nation: "There are American patriots, and then there are the white nationalists and Nazis that fought against them. Members of my own family, along with countless brave American … Continue Reading
August 13, 2017
At Clothing Drive, Duckworth Highlights AmeriCorps Deployment to Chicago Cares
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) at a clothing drive to highlight the deployment of volunteers to Chicago Cares, an organization dedicated to mobilizing volunteers to improve local communities. During the event, Duckworth also discussed her efforts in Congress to make national community service opportunities available to more Americans. A photo of the Senator at the deployment is available … Continue Reading
August 07, 2017
Duckworth Joins Elmwood and McBride Residents in Cairo to Share Ongoing Issues with HUD Secretary Ben Carson
[CAIRO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined residents of the McBride and Elmwood housing developments to share ongoing issues at Alexander County Housing Authority facilities with Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Ben Carson, who was visiting Cairo for the first time after Duckworth and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) invited him on three separate occasions. During today's meeting with McBride and Elmwood residents, Senator Duckworth highlighted the … Continue Reading
August 07, 2017
Duckworth Statement on Brandon Road Study
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to the release of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Brandon Road Study, an analysis of how to prevent Asian Carp from getting past the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "Invasive species are a growing threat to our entire inland waterways system and to the countless Illinois communities and businesses that rely on strong and vibrant aquatic ecosystems. Brandon Road Lock and Dam and other … Continue Reading
August 04, 2017
Duckworth Helps Introduce Legislation to Lower Cost of Prescription Drugs for Seniors
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and 30 of their colleagues in introducing legislation to help make prescription drugs more affordable for the nearly 41 million seniors who are enrolled in Medicare Part D. The legislation would allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to use the bargaining power of tens of millions of seniors to negotiate a better deal on prescription drug costs. Under current law, Medicare is … Continue Reading
August 04, 2017
Duckworth Offers Comprehensive Package of Bills to Protect Veterans and Servicemembers from Unfair Treatment
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this week introduced several bills intended to protect and support Veterans and servicemembers-men and women who have proven they are willing lay down their lives defending America-from being deported or denied healthcare. Duckworth's proposals, two of which are cosponsored by U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), would prohibit the Administration from deporting Veterans, give legal permanent residents a path to citizenship through … Continue Reading
