Press Releases
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
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
