Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin, Members of Delegation Call On Amazon to Review Safety Procedures Following Collapse of Edwardsville Warehouse
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Bobby Rush (D-IL-01), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Marie Newman (D-IL-03), Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), and Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today sent a … Continue Reading
December 22, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Applaud USDA Programs Helping Ensure More Illinoisans Have Reliable Internet and Electricity
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that an infusion of support from the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Community Connect Grants Program and Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program to four Illinois communities and organizations. This federal support will help rural Illinois communities modernize their broadband and electricity infrastructure and make free, reliable Internet accessible for more … Continue Reading
December 22, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Applaud USDA Programs Helping Ensure Communities Across Illinois Have Safe, Clean Water
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works' (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that an infusion of support from the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Program will be awarded to 12 Illinois communities and organizations to help rural communities across the state modernize and protect their … Continue Reading
December 21, 2021
Duckworth Asks Secretary Austin for Update on Care Provided to Afghan Evacuees Housed at DoD Installations
[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), today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin asking for an update on the status of the care being provided to Afghan evacuees who are currently being housed at DoD installations across the country. In her letter, Duckworth noted the anecdotal reports she has heard regarding strains to the … Continue Reading
December 21, 2021
Duckworth Joins Booker, Eight Democratic Colleagues in Calling on U.S. Department of Education to Suspend Wage Garnishment of Student Loan Borrowers
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and eight of their U.S. Senate Democratic colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to suspend administrative wage garnishment of student loan borrowers. The letter comes nearly a month before student loan and interest payments are set to resume on January 31, 2022. "Currently, over 9 million borrowers are in default on more than $180 billion in federal student loan debt," wrote … Continue Reading
December 21, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $4 Million for America’s Central Port in Granite City
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $4.1 million in federal funding to America's Central Port in Granite City, Illinois, one of the largest freight hubs in the Midwest. The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration, will support improvements to a berth and cargo transfer location at the port's Granite City Harbor facility. "Support for America's Central Port means moving our state's economy … Continue Reading
December 20, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin: Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal’s Transportation Provisions Already Delivering For Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that just weeks after the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal was signed into law, Illinois will be able to make significant improvements to roads and bridges, improving safety and reducing commute times, all while creating good-paying local jobs. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced that Illinois will have access to increased … Continue Reading
December 20, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Mayor Lightfoot, Members of Delegation, Urge Army Corps of Engineers to Prioritize Funding For Chicago Shoreline Storm Damage Reduction Project
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, along with U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Bobby Rush (D-IL-01), and Marie Newman (D-IL-03), today sent a letter to the Army Corp of Engineers urging the Corps to use the funds provided in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to invest in the Chicago … Continue Reading
December 16, 2021
In Letter to President Biden, Duckworth, Durbin Announce Candidates for Federal District Court in the Northern District Of Illinois
[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 announced seven candidates for President Biden's consideration for current and future vacancies on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: Jeffrey Cummings, Jeremy Daniel, Nicholas Gowen, LaShonda A. Hunt, Lindsay Jenkins, Nancy Maldonado, and Karen Sheley. "We appreciate the opportunity to provide assistance and input … Continue Reading
December 16, 2021
Duckworth Meets with South Suburban Mayors to Discuss Impact of Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal on Suburban Communities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met virtually with members of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA), including SSMMA President and Thornton Village President Bob Kolosh and more than a dozen local mayors and managers, to discuss the impact the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will have on their communities and how it will help improve the lives of working families. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will spur economic advancement and help … Continue Reading
December 16, 2021
Duckworth Applauds White House Action to Begin Implementing Her New Law Through the Lead Service Line Replacement Plan
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works' (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water & Wildlife and author of the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (DWWIA)-which passed the Senate by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote in April 2021 and was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal-issued the following statement after the Biden-Harris Administration, alongside EPA, announced plans to immediately … Continue Reading
December 15, 2021
Duckworth Creates Nonpartisan, Independent Afghanistan War Commission as Part of 2022 Defense Bill
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to create a nonpartisan commission to study the war in Afghanistan is set to become law after the Senate passed the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 88-11 today. This modified version of Duckworth's Afghanistan War Commission Act will establish a nonpartisan, independent commission to examine every aspect of the war in Afghanistan in order to produce actionable recommendations … Continue Reading
December 15, 2021
Senate Passes Duckworth Provision to Safeguard 182nd Airlift Wing’s Mission & Protect More Than 1,500 Peoria-area Jobs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), as part of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed the Senate today with a bipartisan vote of 88-11, secured a provision that will establish a minimum inventory for the Air Force's C-130 fleet, ensuring that the Air Force has sufficient C-130 capacity to carry out critical missions domestically as well as overseas. This provision will also safeguard the mission of Peoria's 182nd Airlift Wing, … Continue Reading
December 15, 2021
Several Key Duckworth Provisions Set to Become Law as Part of 2022 Defense Bill
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee's (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, highlighted several key priorities she authored and successfully included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed the U.S. Senate on a bipartisan vote of 88-11 today. The FY2022 NDAA, which now heads to the President's desk where he is expected to sign it into law, authorizes funding for the U.S. … Continue Reading
December 14, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Meet with Illinois AFL-CIO Leaders on Infrastructure
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea and Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney in addition to members of the labor organization's Executive Board and Building Trades presidents from across the state. During their meeting, the Senators provided an update about funding included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), including the $17 billion in direct and … Continue Reading
December 13, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Urge VA Medical Centers in Illinois to Adhere to COVID-19 Protocols Following Outbreak at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat Veteran and former Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), wrote to all Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) in Illinois to urge the facilities to continue to follow Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) COVID-19 guidance and protocol to ensure the health and safety of veterans and … Continue Reading
December 13, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Davis, Bost Lead Illinois Delegation In Urging White House To Support Emergency Declaration For 28 Counties Following Severe Weather
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis (R-IL-13) and Mike Bost (R-IL-12) today led every member of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to President Biden urging the White House to support Governor J.B. Pritzker's request for an Emergency Declaration for 28 counties. The letter follows severe weather and tornadoes this past weekend that led to six fatalities from the … Continue Reading
December 07, 2021
At White House, Duckworth Moderates Maternal Health Day of Action Panel Underscoring Urgent Need For Build Back Better Act
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During the White House's first-ever Maternal Health Day of Action, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) moderated a virtual panel composed of women who have been impacted by the challenges facing our nation's maternal and postpartum care system and health professionals and providers. Duckworth and the panelists discussed their personal experiences and underscored the urgent need to pass the Build Back Better Act to expand high-quality maternal and postpartum care, help end … Continue Reading
December 06, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Bill to Reauthorize the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act, which would authorize the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area (ALNHA) until 2038, an additional 15 years past the current expiration date of 2023. The bill would allow Illinoisans and Americans to visit and learn more about the historical and cultural impact of the ALNHA and Lincoln's legacy for years to … Continue Reading
December 05, 2021
Duckworth Statement on the Passing of Former U.S. Senator & Friend Bob Dole
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement regarding the passing of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole: "When I was recovering at Walter Reed, Bob Dole was a patient too. He was 81 years old then, and he had his own private room, but he always did his rehab with the rest of us-cracking jokes and sharing stories about his Army days. I'll always remember how that proud Veteran from an earlier generation took the time-during some of the … Continue Reading