Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin, Davis Announce $7.2 Million for Illinois State Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools for Student Mental Health Services
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-IL-07) today announced the awarding of two federal grants totaling $7.2 million to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Chicago Public Schools for increasing student mental health and trauma-informed care services in schools across the state. These grants were awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) … Continue Reading
January 30, 2023
Duckworth Re-introduces Legislation to Prevent Atrocities Like Mass Japanese American Internment from Happening Again
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today re-introduced the Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act, a bill that would establish a clear legal prohibition against un-American policies that seek to imprison individuals solely on the basis of race, religion, nationality, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disability. With the continued rising number of anti-Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) hate crimes and violence, … Continue Reading
January 30, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Over $850 Million in Federal Investments to Improve Transit for Illinoisans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that Illinois will benefit from significant transit investments, thanks in part to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Illinois will receive over $850 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for transportation improvements that will allow our state's transit agencies to modernize and expand services, all while creating economic opportunity … Continue Reading
January 30, 2023
Senator Duckworth Joins Senator Markey, Representative Bush in Letter to Biden Administration Recommending an Environmental Justice Scorecard
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate's Environmental Justice Caucus, joined U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), U.S. Representative Cori Bush (D-MO-01) and other Congressional colleagues in a letter to White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Chair Brenda Mallory providing recommendations for developing a comprehensive, accessible and transparent Environmental Justice (EJ) Scorecard to measure and monitor the progress federal … Continue Reading
January 30, 2023
Duckworth Leads Colleagues in Urging FDA to Act Swiftly to Reduce High Levels of Toxic Heavy Metals in Baby Foods
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued draft guidance to reduce levels of lead in baby food earlier this week, today U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08) and U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29) are once again urging FDA to take quick and significant action to reduce high levels of toxic heavy metals-including lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium-in baby food and … Continue Reading
January 30, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Join Casey, Dingell in Introducing Bill to Provide Historic, Permanent Investment in Home Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6) in introducing legislation to expand access to home and community-based services for older adults, people with disabilities and injured workers, while increasing pay and improving benefits for the caregivers who provide this life-sustaining care. The Better Care Better Jobs Act would enhance Medicaid … Continue Reading
January 26, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin, Booker, Schakowsky, García, Trahan Introduce Mentoring to Succeed Act
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9), Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL-4) and Lori Trahan (D-MA-3), introduced the bicameral Mentoring to Succeed Act in recognition of January as National Mentoring Month. This legislation provides a strong, sustainable support system through mentorship to ensure that children who experience … Continue Reading
January 26, 2023
Duckworth Joins U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), long-time member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, will join the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the 118th Congress. Duckworth served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring from military service in 2014 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and is an Iraq War Veteran and Purple Heart recipient. She was among the first Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. "I'm … Continue Reading
January 26, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Join Colleagues in Calling On FTC to Investigate Continued Marketing To Kids of The JR-15 Rifle By Wee 1 Tactical
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), along with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Alex Padilla (D-CA), to call on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the continued marketing to children of the "JR-15" rifle by Illinois-based company Wee 1 Tactical. While children under … Continue Reading
January 26, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Protecting Children With Food Allergies Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act, which would require school food personnel to complete a food allergy training, so that they are better equipped to prevent and respond to emergency situations involving allergic food reactions. Over the past two decades, the number of children with food allergies in the U.S. has more than doubled. Now, more than eight … Continue Reading
January 24, 2023
Duckworth Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Preserve Small Business Education Training for Servicemembers, Veterans and Military Spouses
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reintroduced her bipartisan Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2023, which would codify the Small Business Administration's (SBA) "Boots to Business" (B2B) program into law through 2028. The B2B program is an entrepreneurship education and training program for servicemembers, Veterans, National Guard and Reserve Members as well as military spouses transitioning from military service to civilian life. Codifying this program into law … Continue Reading
January 23, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Announce CMS Funding To Address Physician Shortage In Illinois
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded new Medicare Graduate Medical Education funding to support an additional 14 residency slots for hospitals in Illinois. With this new federal funding, five Illinois hospitals will be able to expand their medical training opportunities for new doctors, in order to help address the nation's physician shortage. "Doctors and health … Continue Reading
January 21, 2023
Duckworth Secures $1 Million in Funding for Rockford Emergency Operation Center to Help Keep Residents Safe
[ROCKFORD, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Rockford officials to discuss the construction of a Homeland Security Emergency Operations Center in Rockford, a project for which she secured $1 million in Congressionally Directed Spending. Duckworth met with Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, Rockford Fire Chief Michele Pankow and other officials to discuss the project, which will serve as the hub of all response activities for fire, police, public works and other governmental … Continue Reading
January 20, 2023
Duckworth Tours Rockford’s AAR Corp, Underscores Importance of Community Workforce Development
[ROCKFORD, IL] - Today, U.S. Senator and pilot Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) toured AAR Corp's facilities and met with leadership of the aviation service provider. Duckworth viewed multiple ten-story bays that hold the Boeing 737s that AAR is modifying for the military as well as 737s being held for maintenance repair. During the tour, the Senator emphasized the importance of strengthening the Rockford workforce through aviation technical training and job placement programs with local colleges. … Continue Reading
January 20, 2023
Duckworth Highlights Job Creation, Investment and Economic Growth in Northern Illinois
[ROCKFORD, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today highlighted Northern Illinois's robust future for investment and job growth throughout the region during a visit to Collins Aerospace. Following a tour and discussion of Collins Aerospace's emerging technology initiatives, Duckworth met with local leaders, including U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) and Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, to discuss business growth and investment following the Region 1 … Continue Reading
January 19, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Announce Application Process for U.S. Attorney in Northern District of Illinois
[CHICAGO, I.L.]- U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today announced that they will begin accepting applications from those interested in serving as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. The Senators will be assisted by a screening committee that the Senators established in 2021 to review and vet candidates for judicial and Department of Justice positions and to advise the Senators … Continue Reading
January 18, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Applaud Nomination of Jeffrey Cummings & Lashonda Hunt To Serve As District Court Judges For The Northern District Of Illinois
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee today released the following statement after the White House announced its intent to nominate Jeffrey Cummings and LaShonda Hunt to serve as District Court Judges on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: "We are pleased that President Biden is nominating Judge Jeffrey Cummings and Judge LaShonda Hunt to fill judicial vacancies … Continue Reading
January 16, 2023
Duckworth Honors Dr. King’s Legacy at City Year Chicago Day of Service, DuSable Black History Museum
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day today by joining local leaders and speaking about the value of service at Parkside Elementary School on Chicago's southside, as part of City Year Chicago's annual MLK Day of Service. The Senator, who has made community service a hallmark of her public life and has consistently volunteered to help improve her community, supported City Year and community volunteers working to help improve Parkside. … Continue Reading
January 13, 2023
Duckworth Joins Markey, Blumenthal & Colleagues in Demanding Answers from Southwest Airlines for Holiday Meltdown
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and other colleagues in demanding answers from Southwest Airlines CEO Robert E. Jordan for its mass flight cancellations in the final week of December. As the Senators explained in their letter, Southwest cancelled more than 7,500 flights between December 27 and 29-in the wake of winter storm Elliott-even as all other major airlines cancelled 1,077 flights combined … Continue Reading
January 13, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Announce New Federal Support for More Than 80 Arts Programs Throughout Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced federal support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for over eighty arts programs across Illinois. "Arts like theater, music and design are some of the building blocks of a community's culture," said Duckworth. "I'm glad this federal support will help allow arts programs across Illinois to continue fostering, sharing and promoting connection and creativity in … Continue Reading
