Press Releases
Duckworth Speaks with Peoria Mayor, City Manager on COVID-19 Recovery
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today held a virtual meeting with Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis and Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the city. Duckworth, Ardis and Urich also discussed what Peoria is looking for in a future federal relief package and how her office can help Peoria with recovering from both the economic and health impacts of the pandemic. "Our local governments have been hit especially hard during this pandemic," … Continue Reading
August 20, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Convene Call With USPS And Illinois State Board of Elections Leaders To Discuss Constituent Concerns About Voting By Mail
[SPRINGFIELD, IL]- U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with staff from the Illinois State Board of Elections (SBOE) and the United States Postal Service (USPS) to discuss how constituents in Illinois can safely participate in the upcoming general election amid concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and USPS policies and practices that may impact mail-in ballot delivery. On the call, the Senators and SBOE and USPS leaders discussed Postmaster General Louis … Continue Reading
August 20, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join Blumenthal to Criticize USPS Operational Changes and their Disproportionate Harm on Deployed Servicemembers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran who still receives her own medications from the VA through the United States Postal Service (USPS), and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and 26 of their Senate colleagues today in writing Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to raise concerns over the heightened impact of harmful USPS policy and operational changes to servicemembers and their families. Because USPS is the only … Continue Reading
August 18, 2020
Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $950,000 in Federal Funding to Support Hazardous Materials Emergency Response
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) has been awarded a total of $958,207 in federal grant funding to enhance the state's emergency response capabilities when dealing with hazardous materials related to transportation incidents. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). "Helping ensure the proper … Continue Reading
August 18, 2020
Duckworth Speaks with Illinois Postal Union Leaders on Impact of Trump Administration’s Sabotage of the United States Postal Service
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke with President of the Illinois State Association for the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) John Cooksey and Central Regional Coordinator of the American Postal Workers Sharyn Stone about how the Trump Administration's recent changes to the United States Postal Service (USPS) have already impacted postal workers and consumers across the state. In separate calls, Duckworth also discussed with both Cooksey and Stone … Continue Reading
August 14, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join Tester, Peters in Demanding Postal Service Address Delivery Delays of Veterans’ Prescription Drugs
[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 and still receives prescriptions from the VA by way of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Gary Peters (D-MI) to demand immediate action following reports of significant delays in Veterans' … Continue Reading
August 13, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join Senate Dems in Urging USPS to Fix Delays and Avoid Cost Increases for Election Mail
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in sending a letter with the entire Senate Democratic caucus to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy urging him to provide answers regarding reports of recent changes to long-standing practices at USPS that would result in increased delivery times and costs for election mail, and urged him not take any further … Continue Reading
August 13, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join Leahy In Pressing White House To Restore Full Funding For National Guard’s COVID-19 Response
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and 31 of their Senate colleagues in urging Donald Trump restore the full funding to states for the National Guard forces responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the letter, the senators wrote: "Congress has demonstrated repeatedly that we understand 32 USC 502(f) to include the ability for the National Guard, under command of state and territory governors, to respond … Continue Reading
August 12, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join Schatz, Murkowski in Bipartisan Call for Census Deadline Extension To Provide Enough Time for Full and Accurate Count
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and 44 of their Senate colleagues in calling for an extension of the statutory deadlines for the delivery of apportionment data and redistricting files following the 2020 Census to ensure a full and accurate census count. The Senators urged House and Senate leadership to include the extension in the upcoming COVID-19 relief package. "Extending the … Continue Reading
August 12, 2020
Duckworth Hosts Fireside Chat with Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted a virtual fireside chat with the Metropolitan Mayors Conference to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their communities. Participants included Hillside Mayor Joseph Tamburino, Hazel Crest Mayor Vernard Alsberry, Jr., Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty and Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Executive Director David Bennett, and the conversation focused on what communities are looking for in a future federal relief package and how … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $8 Million for Public Transportation Improvement in Bloomington-Normal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $8 million in federal funding awarded to Connect Transit in Bloomington-Normal to help improve transit facilities. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. "Public transit is a critical component of Illinois's dynamic transportation system and a cornerstone of the regional economy," said Duckworth. "Today's funding will help … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Announce $10 Million for Public Transportation Improvement in Peoria
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today announced $10 million in federal funding awarded to Greater Peoria Mass Transit (CityLink) to replace and rehabilitate buses and facilities. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. "Public transit is a critical component of Illinois's dynamic transportation system and a cornerstone of the … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Duckworth, Inhofe Bill to Commemorate Route 66 Passes Senate
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Bipartisan legislation to commemorate Route 66 introduced by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) passed the Senate. The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act (S. 1014) will establish a centennial commission in preparation for the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which begins in Chicago and continues through six other states, including Oklahoma, before ending on the Pacific Coast of California. The bill now heads to the U.S. House of … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Duckworth Hosts Virtual Meeting with Southern Illinois Mayors
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today held a virtual meeting with eight mayors from the Southern Illinois Mayor's Association to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their communities. Duckworth and the local leaders also discussed what communities are looking for in a future federal relief package and how her office can help Southern Illinois with recovering from both the economic and health impacts of the pandemic. "Our local governments have been hit especially hard … Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
Duckworth Speaks with John A. Logan President About COVID-19’s Impact on the College
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke with John A. Logan College President Ron House about the ways the Carterville community college is being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Duckworth and House discussed the funding needs of community colleges in future relief packages, as well as grant opportunities for the college. "Right now, college students and higher education institutions are struggling with the realities of COVID-19 as the next school year is about … Continue Reading
August 10, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $850,000 For Pace Suburban Bus Service
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $850,464 in federal funding awarded to Pace Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority to support its I-90 Express Bus Service. The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. "Public transit is a critical component of Illinois's dynamic transportation system and a cornerstone of the regional economy," said Duckworth. … Continue Reading
August 07, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join Blumenthal, Colleagues to Introduce Legislation to Close Dangerous Loophole to Protect Domestic Abuse Survivors
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As gun sales spike and reports of domestic violence increase across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and 18 of their colleagues in introducing bicameral legislation to protect domestic violence survivors from gun violence. The Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act would close dangerous loopholes in federal law that allow domestic abusers to … Continue Reading
August 07, 2020
Duckworth, Fischer Pipeline Safety Bill Passes Senate
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Deb Fischer (R-NE), respectively the ranking member and chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, released the following statements after their legislation to reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials and Safety Administration (PHMSA) unanimously passed the Senate: "Pipelines carry much of the energy that powers our nation, and helping ensure the safe transportation of that energy … Continue Reading
August 06, 2020
With In-Person Visits Suspended, Duckworth, Klobuchar, Booker, Schatz, Colleagues Advocate for Access to Free Telephone Calls and Video Conferencing for Incarcerated People in Next Relief Package
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and 13 colleagues sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) urging Congress to include provisions in the next economic relief package to provide access to free phone and video calls for incarcerated people in state and local facilities during and after the coronavirus (COVID-19) … Continue Reading
August 06, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join Smith, Warren to Help Secure Child Care Relief in Next COVID-19 Stimulus Package
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and 21 of their Senate colleagues this week in calling on Senate leadership to prioritize the inclusion of the Child Care is Essential Act in the next COVID-19 relief package. If included and passed into law, the Child Care is Essential Act would stabilize the child care system, keep providers in business and ensure parents are able to go back to work … Continue Reading
