Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Legislation to Help Communities Like Cairo Affected by Public Housing Fraud and Abuse
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation yesterday redirecting federal resources to public housing residents and communities that have been the victims of fraud, like in Cairo, Illinois. The new Fairness for Housing Communities Act would direct certain public housing-related funds collected under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act (PFCRA) into a Fraud Compensation Fund at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development … Continue Reading
July 22, 2019
GAO to Evaluate Effectiveness of “Move Over” Laws to Protect First Responders Following Push from Duckworth, Durbin, Fischer & Bustos
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to a request from U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (IL-17), the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) announced they will conduct a new study to review the effectiveness of our country's "Move Over" laws, which are designed to protect first responders who are doing their duty and may be stopped alongside busy roads. The letter, sent earlier this month, asked GAO to evaluate … Continue Reading
July 22, 2019
Duckworth Meets with Alton and Hardin Mayors on Impacts of Extreme Flooding
[ALTON, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Alton Mayor Brant Walker and Hardin Mayor Dave Hurley to discuss recent extreme flooding that's caused extensive damage and economic losses in the area, as well as recovery efforts across the region. Photos from today's meeting are available here. "As Americans, it's our responsibility to support one another in times of need, especially when our communities are devastated by disasters and severe weather," said Duckworth. … Continue Reading
July 19, 2019
Duckworth Highlights Environmental Justice Issues at First-Ever Climate Crisis Committee Hearing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) participated in the Senate’s first-ever hearing of the Special Committee on the Climate Crisis this week, where she brought attention to environmental justice issues and spoke with mayors from around the country about what major cities are doing to address climate change. In March, Duckworth helped found the Special Committee, which is chaired by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI). A video of Senator Duckworth at the hearing is available … Continue Reading
July 18, 2019
Senators Duckworth and Durbin Demand CEO of Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries Disclose Information on Failed Effort to Fire Employees with Disabilities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) blasted Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries President and CEO Sharon Durbin's (no relation) recent offensive comments that sought to pit the well-being of Americans with disabilities against the interests of other hardworking hourly wage workers. In a letter to the Land of Lincoln Goodwill President and CEO, the Senators noted that the initial decision to terminate, or threaten to terminate, Land of Lincoln … Continue Reading
July 18, 2019
Duckworth Hosts Mobile Office Hours in Champaign and Clinton
[CHAMPAIGN, IL] - The Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted mobile office hours in Champaign and Clinton, Illinois, where her constituent service representatives were on hand to assist Illinoisans with receiving Veterans Affairs, Social Security, Medicare and other federal benefits. Additional Mobile Office Hours will take place in communities throughout the state over the coming months to offer constituents who may not be able to travel to one of the Senator's offices … Continue Reading
July 17, 2019
Duckworth to Host Mobile Office Hours in Champaign and Clinton Tomorrow
[CHAMPAIGN, IL] – The Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will host two mobile office hours Thursday, July 18, where her constituent service representatives will be onsite to assist Illinoisans with receiving the Veterans Affairs, Social Security, Medicare and other federal benefits to which they may be entitled. Tomorrow’s mobile office hours will be held at the Champaign Public Library and the Clinton Vespasian Warner Public Library, with additional mobile office hours … Continue Reading
July 16, 2019
Defense Secretary Nominee Mark Esper Agrees with Tammy Duckworth: Existing AUMFs Do Not Give Donald Trump Authority to Start War with Iran
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Under questioning from combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in the Senate Armed Services Committee today, Secretary of Defense Nominee Mark Esper agreed with Senator Duckworth that the existing Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMFs) do not give the Trump Administration the legal authority to start a war with Iran. With the Trump Administration recklessly escalating tensions with Iran, Duckworth repeatedly and vocally reiterated in recent … Continue Reading
July 15, 2019
Duckworth Meets with DOD Secretary Nominee Mark Esper
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today met with Secretary of Defense Nominee Mark Esper in her office on Capitol Hill. Duckworth and Esper discussed the national security threats facing our nation and the need for the Trump Administration to prioritize investments in logistics infrastructure - and she urged Esper to support congressional efforts to replace our outdated Authorizations for the Use of … Continue Reading
July 13, 2019
Duckworth Meets with Cairo Mayor Thomas Simpson to Discuss Ongoing Issues in Alexander County
[CAIRO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Cairo Mayor Thomas Simpson to discuss how the two can work together to help the families of Cairo. Duckworth also toured the demolition sites of the Elmwood and McBride housing complexes. Photos from today's meeting are available here. "The best way to move Cairo forward is through a coordinated effort between federal, state and local officials focused on finding every possible way to help," Duckworth said. "The hardworking people of … Continue Reading
July 13, 2019
Duckworth Hosts Roundtable on Impacts of Extreme Flooding with Southern Illinois Leaders
[ULLIN, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted a roundtable discussion with officials from Alexander, Union, Randolph and Jackson counties to discuss the extreme flooding impacting communities in the area. Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau, Southern Five Regional Planning District Executive Director Tiffany George, McClure Mayor Cheryle Dillon, Prairie du Rocher Mayor Raymond Cole, East Cape Girardeau City Clerk Becky Glodo, Jackson County Sheriff … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Duckworth Hosts Town Hall in Carbondale
[CARBONDALE, IL] - In partnership with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) hosted a town hall meeting today at Southern Illinois University to meet with constituents, answer questions and discuss her work serving Illinois families in the Senate. Photos from today's town hall are available here. "I understand that many people feel like leaders in Washington aren't listening to them, but I want them to know that I'm here and I'm listening," Duckworth … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Duckworth Tours Southern Illinois Healthcare Cancer Institute and Highlights Importance of Expanding Rural Healthcare Access
[CARTERVILLE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth today toured Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) System's Cancer Institute with SIH President and CEO Rex Buddle as well as other SIH leaders. Duckworth and the SIH leaders also discussed her legislative priorities, including expanding healthcare access in rural communities, during her visit. Photos from today's meeting and tour are available here. "Every Illinoisan, no matter their zip code, deserves the same access to quality health services," … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019
Duckworth Questions Nominee to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Over Trump Proposal to Deport Families of Servicemembers Deployed Oversees
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today questioned General Mark A. Milley, Donald Trump's nominee to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing today over the Administration's proposal to end protections preventing family members of servicemembers currently deployed overseas from being deported. Duckworth and Milley also discussed how Milley plans for adjusting military exercises in the Indo-Pacific and … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Congratulating U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team on Historic Victory & Urging Equal Pay
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and other colleagues in introducing a bipartisan Senate resolution congratulating the team for winning the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. The resolution also highlights the Senate's solidarity with the team as they fight for equal pay. Duckworth also joined U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and 23 of her colleagues in inviting the … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019
Duckworth, Young, Kildee Re-Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Families from Lead in Federally Assisted Housing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) and U.S. Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI) today re-introduced bipartisan legislation to protect families living in assisted housing from lead found in drinking water. The Get the Lead out of Assisted Housing Act of 2019 would help protect families from lead exposure by requiring the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to inspect for lead service lines, create a grant program to address … Continue Reading
July 11, 2019
Duckworth, Senate Democrats to Trump: Don’t Deport Military Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following reports that the Trump Administration is ending protections against the deportation of military families whose loved ones are deployed, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led 21 Senate Democrats in demanding the Trump Administration reverse course immediately. The Trump Administration is reportedly planning on ending the "Parole in Place" (PIP) program, which prevents immigrants who are spouses, parents and children of active-duty servicemembers and Veterans … Continue Reading
July 10, 2019
Duckworth Highlights Need to Protect Veterans and Military Families from Trump Administration Deportation Policies
[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke about the need to protect Veterans and military families from deportation by the Trump Administration at a panel discussion hosted by HillVets in the United States Capitol. Earlier this year, Duckworth reintroduced a package of legislation to prevent the deportation on Veterans who are not violent offenders, allow deported Veterans to return to America and access the VA benefits they earned, and make it … Continue Reading
July 10, 2019
Duckworth, Kildee Re-Introduce Legislation to Help Protect Families from Lead-Contaminated Water
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI) today announced the re-introduction of the National Opportunity for Lead Exposure Accountability and Deterrence (NO LEAD) Act to help ensure drinking water across our nation is safe from lead and copper contamination. The NO LEAD Act would update the Lead and Copper Rule, lowering the lead action level from 15 parts per billion (ppb) currently, to 10 ppb by 2020 and 5 ppb by 2026. The … Continue Reading
July 09, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Announce Over $11 Million for Chicago Rockford International Airport
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) today announced $11,296,026 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) grant funding to help improve the Chicago Rockford International Airport in Rockford. The funding will help Chicago Rockford International Airport rehabilitate runways and taxiways. "Investing in our airport infrastructure is vital to the strength of our state's transportation systems and our local … Continue Reading
