Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Announces $5.2 Million in Grant Funding for Head Start in West Central Illinois
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Parent & Child Together for West Central Illinois in Camp Point, Illinois, will receive $5,220,433 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant funding to support the organization’s Head Start programming, which offers services for children under the age of five in receiving wrap-around support in early learning and development. “Education is one of … Continue Reading
June 26, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin and Schneider Celebrate $18.7 Million in Federal Funding to Improve Cedar Lake Road Safety and Resiliency
[WASHINGTON, DC] — The U.S. Department of Transportation announced this week that it has awarded Lake County a grant of $18,788,080 to improve the safety, condition and resiliency of Cedar Lake Road and the IL Route 124 intersection. U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), who have worked closely with Lake County to advocate for this federal funding, released the following statements celebrating the … Continue Reading
June 26, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Send Illinois School Counselors Letter Urging Them to Support Students Completing the FAFSA
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to Illinois school counselors to urge them to assist students and their families in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act, the U.S. Department of Education rolled out a new FAFSA form in January 2024. However, students, families and counselors have experienced challenges with the new form. Along … Continue Reading
June 26, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin, Budzinski Announce $21 Million for Multimodal Transportation Improvements in Edwardsville
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) today announced that Edwardsville, Illinois will receive $21,241,730 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant funding for the Goshen Road and Liberty Trail Multimodal Transportation Improvements. “I’m proud to see this federal funding benefitting Illinoisans by … Continue Reading
June 25, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Urge Governor Pritzker to Sign Project Partnership Agreement for Brandon Road Project Agead of June 30 Deadline
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a response letter to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker regarding the Brandon Road Interbasin Project, in which they encouraged the Governor to sign a Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) and reiterated their support for the project. The Senators’ letter comes ahead of the June 30, 2024, deadline for the State of Illinois to sign a PPA with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or risk losing … Continue Reading
June 24, 2024
Duckworth Condemns Republicans’ Anti-Choice, Anti-Woman Crusade on Second Anniversary of Disastrous Dobbs Decision
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - On the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s disastrous Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement condemning Republicans’ relentless anti-choice, anti-woman crusade to rip away access to reproductive freedoms—including abortion, contraception and even IVF treatments that help people grow their families—that millions of Americans have relied on for nearly half a century: “Two years ago, far-right … Continue Reading
June 24, 2024
Duckworth Joins Smith in Introducing Bill to Repeal the Comstock Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-VT-At Large) and more than a dozen Senate Democrats to introduce the Stop Comstock Act, bicameral legislation that would repeal an arcane 1873 law, called the Comstock Act, that Republicans and anti-choice extremists want to misuse to ban abortion nationwide. “As GOP legislatures, courts and the extremists at Project 2025 have made all too clear, this … Continue Reading
June 21, 2024
Key Duckworth Provisions in New National Defense Bill to Support Illinois Servicemembers and Jobs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), secured several important provisions to support and benefit Illinois in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that the committee passed late last week and is now expected to be considered by the full U.S. Senate. Some of Duckworth’s Illinois priorities included in the … Continue Reading
June 20, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Join Hirono, Murray, Whitehouse, Pocan, Scott to Introduce Bill to Double Pell Grant, Make College More Affordable
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), as well as U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI-02) and Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), to introduce the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024, bicameral legislation that would nearly double the Pell Grant maximum award, index the maximum award for inflation and make other changes … Continue Reading
June 18, 2024
Duckworth Underscores Need to Protect Reproductive Rights Amid Republican Attacks
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - Today, U.S. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) called out Republicans’ hypocrisy and cruelty as millions of Americans continue to be rightfully worried about access to reproductive health care, including IVF which so many Americans rely on to start or grow their families. Duckworth’s remarks were made at a press conference ahead of the 2nd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, where she was joined by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and … Continue Reading
June 17, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Join Bipartisan Letter Urging EPA to Strengthen Renewable Fuel Standard
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and a bipartisan group of 14 colleagues in sending a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging EPA to raise Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels to levels that are consistent with … Continue Reading
June 17, 2024
Duckworth-Led Provision to Improve Access to High-Quality Medical Care for Servicemembers and Military Families Included in Committee-Passed NDAA
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—secured an important provision in the SASC-passed Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) aimed at improving medical readiness within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and ensuring our nation’s servicemembers as well as their families have access to quality patient care throughout … Continue Reading
June 17, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $15 Million in Healthcare Related Grants for Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $15,121,547 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants to Illinois institutions. A large portion of the funding will be put toward research programs across the state to support medical advancement in various fields, ranging from cancer research to increasing the number of nursing faculty nationwide. “Throughout Illinois, our universities and world-class … Continue Reading
June 15, 2024
Duckworth Meets with St. Louis Lambert International Airport Director to Discuss Federal Support
[ST. LOUIS, MO] - 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, today met with St. Louis Lambert International Airport Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge to discuss federal support for the airport and proposed expansion and improvement plans. Duckworth has been supportive of Lambert’s expansion, joining U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) in pushing … Continue Reading
June 15, 2024
In Alton, Duckworth Commemorates Juneteenth
[ALTON, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today provided the keynote remarks at Alton’s 33rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration, which is one of the longest-running Juneteenth celebrations in the state. Duckworth joined Alton Mayor David Goins, Alton Alderwoman Rosie Brown Alton Juneteenth Co-Commissioner Lee Barham and hundreds of community members to celebrate. Photos from today’s event are available on the Senator’s website. Key Quotes: “I’m grateful to be here to celebrate. Because … Continue Reading
June 15, 2024
Duckworth Holds Community Conversation on Environmental Justice with United Congregations of the Metro East
[EAST ST. LOUIS, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), co-founder and co-chair of the Senate’s first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus, today joined the United Congregations of the Metro East and community members for a discussion about her continued efforts to help bring environmental justice to the Metro East. Duckworth has been a leader in bringing national attention to and providing oversight of the ongoing flooding and sewage issues in Cahokia Heights and East St. Louis, as well as … Continue Reading
June 14, 2024
Duckworth Secures Key Priorities, Military IVF Expansion in Committee-Passed NDAA
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), secured several important provisions in the committee-passed Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that will support our servicemembers, improve medical readiness as well as enhance strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, improve logistics to bolster readiness and continue to … Continue Reading
June 14, 2024
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $14 Million in Grant Funding for Head Start Projects
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois Head Start programs will receive $14,026,810 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant funding. The federal funding will support Head Start’s mission to offer services for children under the age of five in receiving wrap-around support in early learning and development. “Head Start and Early Head Start programs are crucial for kids … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024
Duckworth Statement on FDIC Chair Nominee Christy Goldsmith Romero
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement in response to President Biden’s nomination of Christy Goldsmith Romero to be Chair of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): “I welcome today’s announcement—Christy Goldsmith Romero has led an impressive, decades-long career as a financial regulator in the federal government and has twice been unanimously confirmed by the Senate for leadership roles. Her track record … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024
Duckworth to GOP after IVF Vote: I Wish You Luck Trying to Excuse Your Vote to Your Constituents
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After nearly every single Republican voted against her Right to IVF Act despite publicly claiming to support IVF, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) delivered impassioned remarks calling out Republicans’ hypocrisy and cruelty as millions of Americans continue to be rightfully worried about accessing the IVF treatment and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) that they rely on to build their family. By blocking her pro-family, pro-freedom Right to IVF Act that would … Continue Reading
