Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin, Quigley Discuss Chicago Hub Improvement Project with Union Pacific
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - 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 met with Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena to discuss the Chicago Hub Improvement Project (CHIP), Amtrak’s multi-phased project to revitalize Chicago Union Station (CUS) and revolutionize Midwest passenger rail. During the meeting, the congressional leaders and Vena spoke about the importance of CHIP to the Midwest, as the project is critical to … Continue Reading
January 31, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $2.8 Million in Federal Support for Solar Power Throughout Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $2,869,784 to help businesses in rural Illinois transition to solar power. This funding, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), will help selectees purchase and install solar arrays to help power their businesses while saving recipients money on power costs, conserving energy and creating good-paying jobs. “Transitioning to solar power will help lead … Continue Reading
January 30, 2024
Duckworth Meets With Nominee to Be Next Commander of INDOPACOM
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees—met Admiral Samuel Paparo, the nominee to serve as the Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), to discuss his nomination and their shared priorities to strengthen military readiness, defense strategy and interoperability with our partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Photos of the meeting can be found on the Senator’s website. “I was … Continue Reading
January 29, 2024
Duckworth Reaction to Boeing Withdrawing Safety Standard Waiver Request for MAX 7 Aircraft with Known Safety Defect
[WASHINGTON, DC] - 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 after Boeing confirmed its intent to withdraw its reckless petition requesting an exemption from safety certification standards to prematurely allow its 737 MAX 7 aircraft to enter commercial use before fixing a known safety flaw that … Continue Reading
January 27, 2024
Duckworth Highlights Importance of Service at Illinois National Guard Mobilization Ceremony
[CHICAGO, IL] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today helped honor and recognize the nearly 300 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers being mobilized to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Spartan Shield. Members from Chicago’s 34th Division Sustainment Brigade will provide intra-theater logistics support operations, with the 433rd Signal Company providing operational command, communication computer, intelligence, surveillance and … Continue Reading
January 25, 2024
Duckworth Pushes Boeing CEO to Prioritize Passenger Safety Over Profit
[WASHINGTON, DC] - 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—met with Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun to discuss this month’s horrific Alaska Airlines incident that resulted in a door plug flying off one of their 737 MAX 9 aircraft midflight. The meeting comes after Duckworth sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration … Continue Reading
January 25, 2024
Duckworth Reacts to DoD Expanding IVF Coverage for More Servicemembers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years—today released the following statement regarding reports that the Department of Defense will expand coverage of in-vitro fertilization for more servicemembers by removing the marriage requirement and ban on donor sperm or eggs: “Because of IVF, I was able to start my family and am a mom to two beautiful girls. … Continue Reading
January 25, 2024
Duckworth Urges FAA to Deny Boeing’s Brazen Request to Put Profits Before Passengers by Waiving Safety Standards to Certify MAX 7 Aircraft with Known Safety Defect
[WASHINGTON, DC] - 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—is urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reject Boeing’s reckless petition requesting an exemption from safety certification standards to prematurely allow its 737 MAX 7 aircraft to enter commercial use before fixing a known safety flaw that could have … Continue Reading
January 24, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $12 Million for Illinois Central College to Develop High School Programs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $1,288,596 for Illinois Central College through the U.S. Department of Education’s Perkins Innovation and Modernization (PIM) Career Connected High Schools (CCHS) Grant Program to develop new high-quality work-based learning programs for high school students to gain experience in health care, construction, manufacturing and information technology professions. “Investing in … Continue Reading
January 24, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Call for Additional Federal Support to Help Cities Like Chicago Address Migrant Crisis
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide significant additional federal support to interior cities, including the City of Chicago, to help these cities more effectively address the ongoing migrant crisis. In today’s letter, the Senators expressed strong support for fulfilling the urgent request of interior cities to invest at least $5 billion … Continue Reading
January 24, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Join Schatz, Colleagues in Amendment to Reaffirm U.S. Support for a Two-State Solution
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and 47 of their Senate colleagues in announcing plans to file an amendment to the forthcoming national security supplemental package that reiterates longstanding U.S. policy in support of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. “Establishing a Palestinian nation-state alongside Israel is the only viable path to lasting peace,” … Continue Reading
January 23, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $25 Million Rail Safety Grant for Kane County
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $25,000,000 for Kane County through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program, otherwise known as the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program, to construct a grade separation of Randall Road over the Canadian National Railroad and reconstruct an existing intersection at Hopps Road … Continue Reading
January 23, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Statement on Confirmation of Normal Mayor Chris Koos to Amtrak Board of Directors
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Normal, Illinois, Mayor Chris Koos to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors: “Mayor Koos has a long history as a powerful, positive voice in Illinois’ transportation sector. He understands the importance of passenger rail to communities in Illinois, the Midwest, and nationwide. His nomination, which we strongly … Continue Reading
January 23, 2024
Duckworth Joins Colleagues to Introduce Legislation to Expand Use of Biofuels for Aviation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced legislation that would help accelerate the production and development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs to allow further growth for alternative fuels to be used in the aviation sector and create new markets for American farmers. The Farm to Fly Act would utilize current USDA … Continue Reading
January 23, 2024
Duckworth Meets with UAW Region 4 Members Following Historic New Contract Wins
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with leaders and members from United Auto Workers Region 4 following the historic wins UAW secured in their new contracts with the “Big 3” automakers last year—wins that included 25% wage increases, cost-of-living adjustments, $5,000 ratification bonuses and other benefits for workers. Duckworth and the members also discussed the importance of protecting dislocated workers and communities and ensuring they are positioned to … Continue Reading
January 23, 2024
Duckworth Discusses Climate Change Solutions and Strengthening National Security with Swedish Leaders
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees—met with Swedish National Security Advisor Henrik Landerholm to discuss shared priorities in mitigating the risks that climate change poses to our national security as well as NATO-backed efforts to push back against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In their meeting, the group also discussed how Sweden’s world-renowned waste management system serves as an … Continue Reading
January 19, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Invite United, American to Convene with DOT, City of Chicago on O’Hare Terminal Area Plan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Chair of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today requested United Airlines and American Airlines meet with members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the City of Chicago to discuss the path forward for the Chicago O’Hare Terminal Area Plan … Continue Reading
January 19, 2024
Duckworth Reaction to Netanyahu Opposing Two-State Solution in the Middle East
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after Israeli Prime Minister publicly expressed opposition to a two-state solution in the Middle East: “Frankly, I’m appalled at Prime Minister Netanyahu rejecting a two-state solution in the Middle East, because that means he is effectively ruling out a sustainable, peaceful outcome in the long-term. The only viable path to lasting peace is establishing a Palestinian nation-state alongside Israel. Prime … Continue Reading
January 18, 2024
New Duckworth, Murray, Wild Bill Would Protect Right to Access IVF, Other Assisted Reproductive Technology for Every American
[WASHINGTON, DC] - As Republicans and the anti-abortion movement continue their state-by-state attacks on reproductive healthcare in post-Roe America, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senator and Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Patty Murray (D-WA) as well as U.S. Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-07) are introducing new legislation to protect every American’s right to access in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) services that … Continue Reading
January 18, 2024
Duckworth Statement After Senate Passes Continuing Resolution to Avoid Shutdown, Support Working Families
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Senate passed a continuing resolution to keep our government open and spare working families the pain of a partial shutdown: “Today’s vote is good for working families, our economy and our entire nation. By passing this continuing resolution, the Senate is providing House Republicans an opportunity to avoid a needless government shutdown that would hurt working families and halt government services … Continue Reading