Press Releases
Duckworth Discusses Metro East Infrastructure Projects with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this afternoon met with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) St. Louis District Commander Colonel Kevin Golinghorst to discuss critical water infrastructure projects in the Metro East, the Upper Mississippi River and lower Illinois River watershed including the Lock and Dam 25 construction project and addressing environmental justice concerns in East St. Louis and Cahokia Heights. The Senator also highlighted Golinghorst's dedication as … Continue Reading
March 07, 2023
Duckworth Meets with IDPH Director to Discuss Public Health Support in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra to discuss the continued importance of public health funding in Illinois, as the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration is set to end in May. Duckworth and Vohra discussed how Illinois can continue to support testing, vaccine and treatment programs going forward, as well as how all Illinoisans can continue to get the high quality, affordable care they … Continue Reading
March 07, 2023
Duckworth, Cassidy Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Charitable Deduction Rules for Veteran Service Organizations
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) reintroduced the VSO Equal Tax Treatment (VETT) Act to overturn a provision of the tax code that prohibits Veteran service organizations from accepting tax-deductible donations if their membership contains over 10 percent peacetime Veterans. "Veteran service organizations provide vital support, assistance and community programming for those who served our nation," said Senator Duckworth. "I'm proud to … Continue Reading
March 05, 2023
Duckworth Statement on Passing of Disability Rights Hero Judith Heumann
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after learning of the passing of disability rights advocate and friend Judith Heumann: "This is such devastating news for the entire disability community. Judy Heumann devoted her life to expanding disability rights and making sure accessibility in our country is the default-not an afterthought. And our nation is better because of her advocacy. Rest in peace, my friend and … Continue Reading
March 03, 2023
Duckworth Joins Brown and Collins in Reintroducing Bipartisan Legislation to Get Public Employees Full Social Security Benefit
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in reintroducing bipartisan legislation that would ensure public sector workers and their families can receive full Social Security benefits after two previous statutes reduced them. The Senators' bill, the Social Security Fairness Act, would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) from the Social Security Act. Both … Continue Reading
March 03, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Join Colleagues to Introduce Bill to Help Stop Child Labor
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) in introducing new legislation to help stop illegal child labor. The Child Labor Prevention Act would increase maximum fines for violations and establish new criminal penalties to deter child labor and hold employers accountable. "No child should be forced to work, much less forced to work in dangerous conditions," said Duckworth. "I'm proud to help introduce this … Continue Reading
March 03, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce Bill to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined the bipartisan and bicameral Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act of 2023-a comprehensive proposal to protect workers' right to come together and bargain for higher wages, better benefits and safer workplaces. "Every American deserves to work in a safe, good-paying job that allows them to support their families and save for a secure retirement, and it is unacceptable that in some … Continue Reading
March 02, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Statement on Senate Confirmation Of Colleen Lawless to Serve as District Court Judge for the Central 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 released the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Judge Colleen Lawless to serve as a District Court Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois: "We are pleased that the Senate has confirmed the nomination of Judge Colleen Lawless to fill a judicial vacancy in the Central District of Illinois. Her … Continue Reading
March 02, 2023
Duckworth Meets with Illinois Broadcasters Association
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this week met with several members of the Illinois Broadcasters Association to discuss their shared legislative priorities as well as Duckworth's work to support public broadcasting and local, rural media outlets. "Broadcasters play an invaluable role in ensuring Illinoisans are informed and maybe most importantly-engaged-in their communities," Duckworth said. "I was glad to meet with members of the Illinois Broadcasters Association to … Continue Reading
March 01, 2023
Duckworth, Capito Reintroduce Bipartisan Resolution Designating March as National Endometriosis Awareness Month
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today reintroduced a resolution recognizing the significance of endometriosis as a chronic disease affecting millions of women and designating March 2023 as National Endometriosis Awareness Month. This resolution would also encourage the U.S. Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Defense and Veterans Affairs to provide information on endometriosis to women, patients and providers and to improve … Continue Reading
March 01, 2023
Duckworth Discusses Infrastructure Priorities With Mississippi River Mayors
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with members of the Mississippi River Cities and Town Initiative (MRCTI), including Alton Mayor David Goins, to discuss the legislative priorities for municipalities along the Mississippi River. Duckworth and Goins, along with other Mississippi River mayors, discussed the importance of water infrastructure restoration and resiliency, as well as economic development and clean water initiatives. A photo from today's meeting is … Continue Reading
March 01, 2023
Duckworth Secures Commitment from FAA Administrator Nominee Phil Washington to Uphold 1,500-Hour Rule for Commercial Pilots
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation-the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-questioned Phil Washington during his hearing to be Administrator of the FAA. During her remarks, Duckworth secured commitment from Washington that, if confirmed, he would uphold the 1,500-hour rule … Continue Reading
March 01, 2023
Duckworth Discusses Energy with Illinois Municipal Electric Agency and Illinois Municipal Utilities Association
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with several Illinois mayors, local officials and members of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) and the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA) to discuss her legislative priorities. Duckworth spoke about the importance of renewable energy, energy security, addressing climate change and her support for strengthening Illinois's supply chains. She also highlighted federal infrastructure investments through the … Continue Reading
March 01, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Secure $66.5 Million for Chicago O’Hare, Peoria and St. Louis Airport Renovations
[SPRINGFIELD, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a combined $66.5 million in federal funding for Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Peoria International Airport and St. Louis Downtown Airport from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's Airport Terminal Program (ATP). Chicago O'Hare International Airport, awarded $50,000,000, will use these funds to rehabilitate and expand the 60-year-old Terminal 3. This is the largest … Continue Reading
February 28, 2023
Duckworth Reintroduces Bill to Establish Bronzeville Church that Held Emmett Till’s Funeral as a National Monument
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - On the last day of Black History Month 2023, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to designate the church that held Emmett Till's pivotal funeral in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood as a national monument. The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley, and Roberts Temple National Historic Site Act would establish the church as a national monument to be managed by the U.S. National Park Service to ensure that the historic church will be … Continue Reading
February 28, 2023
Duckworth Celebrates Julie Su’s Nomination to be Secretary of Labor
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after President Biden officially nominated Julie Su to be the next Secretary of Labor: "Julie Su is the most qualified person to be our nation's next Secretary of Labor and I'm thrilled that President Biden nominated her to serve in his Cabinet today. With her proven track-record serving as the Department of Labor's Chief Operating Officer, I'm confident Deputy Secretary Su is prepared to lead the … Continue Reading
February 28, 2023
Duckworth Returns from Asia, Visit Focused on Expanding Investments, Strengthening Ties and Bolstering Alliances
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations (SFRC) and Armed Services (SASC) Committees, led a trip to Japan and Indonesia last week as part of her continuing efforts to strengthen ties and reinforce support between allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region and the United States. This was her first trip abroad as a member of SFRC, and on her visit, Duckworth met with government, trade and business leaders, … Continue Reading
February 24, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin, Krishnamoorthi, Ramirez Urge Surface Transportation Board To Delay Decision On Canadian Pacific And Kansas City Southern Rail Merger Until After A Thorough Review Of The Risks Involved In The Increased Transportation Of Hazardous Materi
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]-U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08) in sending a letter to Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Martin Oberman in the wake of the derailment of a freight train carrying toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, to urge the STB to delay any final decision on the proposed merger between the Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) railroads until after it … Continue Reading
February 24, 2023
Duckworth Accepting Applications for FY2024 Congressionally Directed Spending Projects
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced she is accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2024 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests. The CDS process does not represent new spending, rather it enables Members of Congress to allocate existing funding for specific local projects by units of government, nonprofit organizations and other organizations that meet strict eligibility requirements. Applications to Duckworth's office are due by Friday, March 10. … Continue Reading
February 23, 2023
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $375,000 For City of Rockford Through Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program
[ROCKFORD, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the city of Rockford, Illinois, has been awarded $375,031 through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. This is the first round of funding from this program, making Rockford one of the first awardees in the nation. The Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program is the first federal program dedicated to reconnecting … Continue Reading
