Press Releases
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
August 05, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Bill To Create National Heritage Area In Chicago's Bronzeville Community
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced a bill that would create a National Park Service (NPS) National Heritage Area in the greater Bronzeville community of Chicago. The Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Act would create a National Heritage Area from 18th Street to the North, 71st Street to the South, Lake Michigan to the East, and Canal Street to the West-approximately five miles south of downtown. This area would … Continue Reading
August 05, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Demand Clarity from DOJ and DHS on Federal Agent Activity in Chicago
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] -U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide more information on DHS, U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations' (HSI) involvement in Operation LeGend in Chicago, the effort to support state and local law enforcement investigations into violent crime. In a letter sent today, the Senators are seeking confirmation … Continue Reading
August 05, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Call On Trump Administration To Deliver Remaining Economic Impact Payments To Illinoisans
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today, in a letter to Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig, called for the delivery of remaining Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) to Illinois constituents as soon as possible. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, as many as 392,000 adults and children in Illinois will not receive their EIP automatically, amounting to $401 million in … Continue Reading
August 05, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $7 Million for Rental Assistance in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $7,000,000 in federal funding to the Illinois Housing Development Authority. This investment will support the creation of 81 rental units for low-income Illinoisans with disabilities. This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program. "Expanding access to affordable housing is crucial to helping … Continue Reading
August 05, 2020
Duckworth Condemns GOP Attacks on Disability Community in Republican COVID-19 Proposal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor tonight to condemn the latest Republican attacks on the disability community in their COVID-19 proposal, the HEALS Act, which includes several provisions that would gut the ADA, fail to provide desperately-needed funding for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services and threaten to deprive Americans living with disabilities of their fundamental rights to live independent, regular and productive lives. Video of … Continue Reading
August 03, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Bill To Support School-Based Mentoring Programs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Mentoring to Succeed Act, legislation that increases support for school-based mentoring programs in order to help at-risk youth thrive in their schools, careers, and life. The bill would invest in mentoring programs that help students overcome adversity and trauma and develop the workforce skills employers are seeking. Specifically, the Mentoring to Succeed Act would establish a five-year, … Continue Reading
August 03, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Call For Safe Release And Return Of Mark Frerichs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today, in a letter to President Donald Trump, called for the timely and safe release and return of American citizen Mark Frerichs, who was abducted earlier this year in Afghanistan. Frerichs, originally from Illinois and a Veteran of the U.S. Navy, has spent nearly ten years living in and working as an independent contractor in Afghanistan. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Frerichs was … Continue Reading
August 03, 2020
Duckworth Condemns White House Decision to Install Tata at DoD Without Senate Confirmation
[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 a statement condemning the White House's decision to appoint retired Brigadier General Anthony Tata to the position of Deputy Undersecretary of Policy in an "Acting" capacity, thus circumventing Congressional approval for this nominee. This move comes just days after Tata's Senate confirmation … Continue Reading
August 03, 2020
Congressional Leaders on Environmental Justice Issues Respond to Republican COVID-19 Proposal that Ignores the Needs of Communities of Color During this Crisis
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Leaders of the Senate's first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus, Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tom Carper (D-DE), and leaders of the House of Representative's United for Climate and Environmental Justice Task Force, Representatives A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), today released a joint statement in response to the Republican COVID-19 proposal, the HEALS Act. "The COVID-19 pandemic has … Continue Reading
