Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Bill to Bring Fairness to FEMA Disaster Declaration Process
[WASHINGTON D.C.] - Following a stretch of severe weather events in Illinois - such as flooding and tornadoes - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the introduction of the Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act. The bill would reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster declaration process to make it more transparent and equitable to small and rural communities in larger states like Illinois. Due to … Continue Reading
July 15, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Help Fischer & Klobuchar Re-introduce Bipartisan Bill Expanding Market for Biofuels Year-Round
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today helped U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), members of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, re-introduce the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. The bill would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to ethanol blends above 10 percent, which would increase market access and continue to allow retailers across the country to sell E15 and other higher-ethanol … Continue Reading
July 14, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $21.9 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Support Head Start Programs in Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $21.9 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to support the return to fully operational, in-person Head Start services for the children under the age of five most impacted by inequities exposed by the pandemic in Illinois. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Administration for Children and Families. "Early Head Start and Head Start … Continue Reading
July 13, 2021
Duckworth, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Voting Access for Military Voters
Military voters have voted at a 15 percent lower rate than the general population since 2014 [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would make it easier for our servicemembers to vote. The Reducing Barriers for Military Voters Act would establish a secure electronic voting system for active duty servicemembers stationed in hazardous duty zones or rotational deployments. U.S. … Continue Reading
July 13, 2021
Duckworth Secures Commitments from DoD Nominee to Prioritize Critical Military Readiness Policies
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - During a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing today for Department of Defense (DoD) nominees, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) secured commitments from the Honorable Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr., Nominee to be Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, to prioritize policies like Duckworth's Servicemember Parental Leave Equity Act when considering ways to increase military readiness, improve outcomes for military families and … Continue Reading
July 12, 2021
Duckworth Announces U.S. Shipment of 1.5 Million American Vaccine Doses to Indonesia as Biden Administration Ramps Up Vaccine Diplomacy
New numbers bring total American doses sent to Indonesia to 4.5 million [WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced that the United States sent a donation of 1.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine to Indonesia today. This new tranche is in addition to the 3 million doses of the Moderna vaccine that the Biden Administration announced late last week, bringing the total American doses donated to the nation to 4.5 million. Duckworth lived in Indonesia as … Continue Reading
July 09, 2021
In Meeting with Senior-most Embassy Official, Duckworth Underscores Support for Indonesia as U.S. Sends 3 Million Vaccine Doses to the Country
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - As the Biden Administration announced a shipment of 3 million Moderna vaccine doses to Indonesia, Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today spoke with the Indonesian Chargé d'Affaires in Washington, D.C., Mr. Iwan Freddy Hari Susanto, who is the highest-ranking Indonesian Embassy official in the United States, to underscore our government's and our nation's commitment to the Indonesian people as they seek to overcome a tragic and recent surge in … Continue Reading
July 09, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $2 Million in Federal Funding to Address Violence, Support Trauma-Informed Care in Chicago
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $2 million in federal funding to help address trauma and the cycle of violence in Chicago. The funding, which was awarded by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), will support four Chicago initiatives aimed at expanding and improving trauma-informed care for youth who have been exposed to community violence. "Too often, we see young people, particularly young people of … Continue Reading
July 09, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Urge SBA to Support State's Request for DuPage County Disaster Declaration
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman supporting Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's request for a Disaster Declaration for DuPage County in Illinois as a result of a tornado that touched down on June 21, 2021. The damage assessment conducted this month by the SBA found that 79 properties either incurred damage or were destroyed as a … Continue Reading
July 07, 2021
Duckworth Joins President Biden in Highlighting American Families Plan in Illinois
[CRYSTAL LAKE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined President Joe Biden, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Sean Casten (D-IL-06) as well as other Illinois officials to highlight how the President's American Families Plan could help working families across the state. Duckworth joined the President for a tour of McHenry County College's workforce development program and child care center before … Continue Reading
July 07, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Bustos Announce Over $8 Million for Quad Cities International Airport
[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 $8,570,000 in federal funding to the Quad Cities International Airport. This funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration will help the airport improve operations, increase safety and meet Federal Aviation Administration standards. "Our Illinois airports are important economic engines for the state, and making … Continue Reading
July 04, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Importance of American Rescue Plan Funding for Local Governments with Bloomington-Normal Mayors
[BLOOMINGTON, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe and Normal Mayor Chris Koos to discuss how federal funding in President Biden's American Rescue Plan (ARP) can help municipal governments recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and build back an economy that works for everyone. In total, Illinois will receive more than $13 billion in relief funding, with more than $13 million for Bloomington and $10 million for Normal. A photo from … Continue Reading
July 03, 2021
Duckworth Discusses American Rescue Plan, Voting Rights and Investments in Communities of Color During Tri-County Urban League Town Hall Meeting
[PEORIA, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted a town hall meeting with the Tri-County Urban League in Peoria to discuss how federal funding in President Biden's American Rescue Plan (ARP) can help municipal governments recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and build back an economy that works for everyone. During the town hall, Duckworth and the community members also discussed infrastructure investments in communities of color, criminal justice reform and voting … Continue Reading
July 03, 2021
Duckworth Honors Peoria Veterans at War Memorial Dedication Ceremony
[PEORIA, IL] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today helped honor Peoria County Veterans at the A Final Salute War Memorial Dedication Ceremony. Today, the third and final addition to the memorial was dedicated, entitled "Lady Liberty: Monument to the First Female Fighter Pilots." In her keynote, Duckworth highlighted the importance of diversity to the strength of our military. Photos from today's event are available here. Key Quotes: "I'm here today because of them. … Continue Reading
July 02, 2021
Duckworth Applauds Biden Admin’s New Initiative to Support Noncitizen Servicemembers & Veterans
Senator recently introduced a comprehensive legislative package to help protect servicemembers and Veterans from deportation [WASHINGTON, DC] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee who served 23 years in the Reserve Forces, issued the following statement after the Biden Administration announced a new initiative to support noncitizen servicemembers and Veterans: "It is simply wrong that many brave men and women willing to … Continue Reading
June 30, 2021
Duckworth Discusses Importance of American Rescue Plan Funding For Local Governments with DuPage County Mayors
[WOODRIDGE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with DuPage County municipal leaders and members of the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference (DMMC) to discuss how federal funding in President Biden's American Rescue Plan (ARP) can help municipal governments recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19. In total, Illinois will receive more than $13 billion in relief funding, including more than $2 billion for municipal governments. Photos from today's event are available … Continue Reading
June 30, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Newman Announce $19 Million for Archer Ave Grade Separation Project
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Congresswoman Marie Newman (D-IL-03) today announced $19.13 million in federal funding for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to support the Archer Avenue and the Belt Railway of Chicago (BRC) Grade Separation Project, which will help eliminate road-rail conflicts, avoid first responder delays, and reduce traffic congestion on Chicago's Southwest Side. The funding was awarded through the … Continue Reading
June 30, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin, Underwood Announce $5 Million for Plainfield’s 143rd Street Extension Project
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) today announced that the Village of Plainfield has been awarded $5 million in federal funding to construct the eastern extension of 143rd Street, which will help alleviate traffic and improve safety for vehicles traveling through and within the Village. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant … Continue Reading
June 30, 2021
Duckworth Discusses the Importance of Water Infrastructure with Wood Dale Officials
[WOOD DALE, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with leaders in Wood Dale and toured the city's ongoing Ward 2 & 3 Stormwater Improvement Project. While there, Duckworth met with several officials to discuss the project and her bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, which the Senate passed in April and would invest more than $35 billion for water resource development projects across the country with a focus on upgrading aging infrastructure, addressing … Continue Reading
June 29, 2021
Duckworth, Durbin Join Hirono, Murray in Introducing Bill to Double Pell Grant Awards to Help Make College More Affordable
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA) and 18 of their Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to help make college more affordable. The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act would double the Pell Grant award, index the award to inflation and make other changes to expand the award for working students and families. "Those of us who weren't always sure we'd … Continue Reading