In The News
Chicago is emerging as a quantum tech hub
The Chicago area is quickly emerging as a national leader in quantum technology. What's happening: The region was recently designated a quantum technology hub by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which will bring federal funding to area universities. Just this week, scientists, academics and engineers convened in Hyde Park for the Chicago Quantum Summit. Why it matters: Leaders hope the new designation and collaboration among universities and national laboratories like FermiLab and … Continue Reading
November 10, 2023
Senator introduces legislation to address deportation and other challenges for immigrant veterans
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., reintroduced a package of bills on Thursday that would address the deportation of immigrants who served in the U.S. military and ensure they have access to resources at the Department of Veterans Affairs. “The reality is far too many men and women have been deported by the very same nation they risked their lives to defend,” she said. “Our deported immigrant veterans fought for this country, and it is past time we fight for them, too.” The Healthcare … Continue Reading
November 09, 2023
Duckworth introduces legislation to tackle deportation, mental health challenges with immigrant veterans
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) will introduce a set of bills Thursday to address the deportation of immigrants who served in the U.S. military and to help ensure they are connected to mental health services with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Duckworth’s HOPE Act would allow nonviolent, deported immigrant veterans to temporarily return to the U.S. for treatment at a VA facility on a case-by-case basis. Like other veterans, immigrants who served can struggle with mental health, … Continue Reading
November 09, 2023
A shortage of air traffic controllers is hurting safety, aviation experts warn Senate
A series of close calls on runways across the United States has gotten the attention of aviation experts — and a key Senate committee that oversees the industry. Safety experts and union leaders told a Senate Commerce subcommittee Thursday that a shortage of air traffic controllers is leading to fatigue and distraction, likely contributing to a growing list of close calls at major airports this year. The aviation safety system is "showing clear signs of strain that we cannot ignore," … Continue Reading
November 09, 2023
Air traffic controller fatigue a factor in airport near misses, Senate panel told
The nation saw almost two dozen serious close calls at airports in the past year, the highest number in more than a decade, and a Senate panel was told Thursday that the rise is partly connected to overstretched air traffic controllers regularly required to work up to 60 hours a week. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who called the hearing as chair of an aviation subcommittee, said the incidents were evidence of a system under stress. “Our nation is experiencing an aviation safety crisis … Continue Reading
October 31, 2023
Duckworth: Stellantis could be the beginning of big companies choosing Illinois to set up shop
Thousands of people across the Stateline are still celebrating early reports that new life will come to Belvidere's assembly plant. Over the last weekend in October, leaked parts of the deal between the UAW and Stellantis show Belvidere will manufacture a new truck and battery starting sometime in late 2026 or early 2027. Senator Tammy Duckworth talked one-on-one with WREX on Tuesday to talk about the impacts of the deal. She spent time echoing what many had said about the impact this … Continue Reading
October 27, 2023
Lawmakers propose 7 days paid leave for families who experience miscarriage or other unsuccessful parenthood attempts
A federal lawmaker is proposing a bill which would provide 7 days of paid leave for families who experience a miscarriage or other unsuccessful attempts at parenthood. U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-7), is the sponsor of H.R. 6103, otherwise known as the Support Through Loss Act. The bill is also sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). Under the bill, Americans would receive 7 days paid leave to "process and address their own health needs and the health needs of … Continue Reading
October 26, 2023
Democratic lawmakers push paid leave for pregnancy loss
Democratic lawmakers on Thursday introduced legislation that would require employers to provide at least seven days of paid time off following a pregnancy loss. Why it matters: Miscarriages are common, occurring in an estimated 10% to 20% of known pregnancies. While more employers are offering paid leave following a pregnancy loss, there's no national paid leave program. Details: The bill from Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) would require employers to provide … Continue Reading
October 26, 2023
New Bill Would Offer Paid Leave for Pregnancy Loss and Other Family-Building Losses
Whether you’re trying to conceive on your own, through assisted reproductive medicine or pursuing adoption or surrogacy—family-building can be joyful and challenging all at once. There’s no guarantee that beginning any of these processes will result in welcoming a child, and many people face loss along the way. While often underreported, it’s estimated that pregnancy loss occurs in 10-20% of known pregnancies.1 Unsuccessful fertility treatments, adoption, or surrogacy arrangements are also … Continue Reading
October 24, 2023
Senators seek over-the-counter birth control access for troops
More than 30 senators are urging the Defense Department to offer an over-the-counter birth control pill for service members and their families to improve troop access to reproductive health care. The senators said they want to see health coverage for the military community expanded to include over-the-counter contraceptives such as Opill, the first nonprescription daily pill approved by the Food and Drug Administration in July. “Access to contraception, as well as education about it, … Continue Reading
October 19, 2023
Demand for Donor Breast Milk in Chicago Area Increasing, As Bipartisan Bill Aims to Improve Access Nationwide
Alisha Lopez was a new mother to baby Hazel this past summer when she learned from lactation consultants that she was producing more breast milk than was necessary to feed her baby. She made the decision to donate her breast milk after seeing firsthand as a nurse how donor breast milk can be used to help sick and premature babies in neonatal intensive care units. Lopez pumped milk and stored it in bags in her fridge and freezer from July through early October. When Lopez made her first milk … Continue Reading
October 14, 2023
Feds send $140 million to Illinois to replace lead service lines
The federal government is sending an additional $139.7 million in federal funds to help modernize drinking water infrastructure in Illinois communities. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide grants to help municipalities remove lead pipes and contaminants from drinking water. Nidnan Singh, deputy manager for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) State Revolving Fund (SRF), said the … Continue Reading
October 12, 2023
Duckworth touts Illinois clean energy, tries to reassure allies about Ukraine funding on trip to Europe
On a multileg trip to Europe to promote Illinois’ clean energy advancements, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth also is reassuring foreign allies that aid to Ukraine remains a top priority for Democrats — no matter what drama ensues among House Republicans. Currently in the United Kingdom, the Illinois senator began her trip on Sunday with a stop in Romania, a NATO ally bordering Ukraine. “Part of what I’m going to be bringing forward is also a messaging at the federal level from the White House and … Continue Reading
October 12, 2023
Duckworth reiterates U.S. NATO commitment during Romania trip
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Il.) reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to all members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during a visit to Romania. According to Duckworth’s office, the Illinois Democrat met with Romanian parliamentarians, the Minister of Defense, the Secretary of State for Strategic Affairs and other leaders. She discussed the fighting in Ukraine, and how continued American support to Ukraine on the other side of the Romanian border is not just important to … Continue Reading
October 12, 2023
Illinois lawmakers press Biden for more resources to assist incoming asylum seekers
Lawmakers from across Illinois urge President Joe Biden to respond to the state's arriving migrants. Led by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), members of the Illinois Democratic Congressional Delegation wrote to Biden. In their remarks, the policymakers called on the President to provide Illinois and Chicago the necessary resources to receive asylum seekers in a safe and orderly fashion. "As members of the Illinois congressional delegation, we … Continue Reading
September 26, 2023
Illinois senator announces $139 million for clean water
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will receive almost $140 million to help keep the Prairie State's rivers and lakes clean. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced on Sept. 26 that the agency would be receiving the money, which comes from the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act. According to Duckworth's office, the money will go towards getting lead and other contaminants out of the state's drinking water, as well as boost Illinois's Drinking Water State Revolving … Continue Reading
September 23, 2023
Senator Duckworth joins striking UAW workers in Chicago area
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) arrived in Naperville to show her support for striking United Auto Workers Friday. As workers from Stellantis' Chrysler Parts Distribution center in Naperville walked off the job at noon yesterday, Duckworth joined their efforts picketing for better pay and benefits. "These hardworking Americans sacrificed to keep the auto industry afloat when things were tough, and they deserve their fair share now that the industry is reporting record profits and … Continue Reading
September 23, 2023
As the UAW strike expands to Illinois, U.S. Senator Duckworth joins picket lines in Naperville
The UAW strike is expanding to Illinois. U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth joined striking United Auto Workers on the picket lines at Stellantis’ Chrysler Parts Distribution center in Naperville on Friday. Workers there walked out from the facility at noon as part of a nationwide collective effort to ensure better pay and better benefits for auto workers. Duckworth said that workers deserve more money because they sacrificed to keep the auto industry afloat during the Great Recession, because … Continue Reading
September 22, 2023
Naperville, Bolingbrook UAW strike against GM, Stellantis
Car dealerships across the nation may soon be feeling the effects of the ongoing United Auto Workers strike. After little progress was made at the bargaining table, the strike, on Friday, entered its eighth day against GM and Stellantis, which makes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles. "The companies know how to make this right," said United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain. "Invest these record profits into stable jobs and sustainable wages and benefits, it’s that simple." Now, UAW … Continue Reading
September 15, 2023
Shaheen, Warren and Duckworth want to know if Musk limited Ukraine's Starlink access at a crucial point in war with Russia
Three Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee are asking Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for answers about whether Elon Musk or other commercial satellite providers disabled or restricted the Ukrainian military’s access to communication networks and whether the Defense Department has the authority to intervene. The questions stem from reporting in journalist Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk, who in addition to his roles at Tesla and the social media platform formerly known … Continue Reading
