Press Releases
Duckworth Discusses Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in Virtual Roundtable with Black Community Leaders
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) held a virtual roundtable today with Chicago and Illinois leaders to discuss the disproportionate public health impact of COVID-19 on Black Americans. The group discussed plans to equitably distribute a safe vaccine to Black communities in Chicago and across Illinois, while also addressing medical racism, educational outreach and cultural sensitivity so these Illinoisans can feel reassured of the safety of the vaccination. In just the … Continue Reading
December 11, 2020
Duckworth Hosts Virtual Town Hall with Illinois Restaurant Industry Leaders
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) held a virtual town hall with Illinois restaurateurs and Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) members today to discuss the challenges facing the restaurant industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Duckworth was joined by IRA President Sam Toia, IRA Board Chairman and Burrito Beach CEO Greg Schulson, Frontera Restaurant Group Owner Rick Bayless, Samco Enterprises CEO Sam Sanchez, Obed & Isaacs Owner Karen Conn and Virtue Owner and … Continue Reading
December 10, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Call for Increased Funding for the Education Workforce Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to the leadership of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions today to request an increase in federal funding for teachers, paraprofessionals and school staff in public K-12 schools as well as faculty and staff in higher education who are supporting their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the nation has lost approximately 1 million … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Duckworth Meets with Rock Island-Milan School Superintendent to Discuss Digital Equity and the Impact of COVID-19
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined Dr. Reginald Lawrence, the Superintendent of Rock Island-Milan School District #41, for a virtual meeting to discuss impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Rock Island's school system, including enrollment, funding, COVID-19 testing and the need for digital equity. "As school districts like Rock Island continue full remote learning into the new year, this pandemic continues to highlight the need for federal relief to our … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Duckworth Meets with Illinois Farm Bureau to Discuss Upcoming Legislative Priorities
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today joined leaders from the Illinois Farm Bureau for a virtual meeting to discuss the COVID-19 relief needed for Illinois farmers as well as agriculture priorities and policies for the upcoming Congress. "Americans always depend on our nation's farmers to grow the food and fuel we need, but that reliance is more pronounced in times of crisis," Duckworth said. "The work of Illinois's farmers is so important to the strength of our state … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin, Inhofe, Davis, Napolitano Bill to Commemorate Route 66 Passes House and Now Headed To President’s Desk
[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 House of Representatives today and is now headed to the President's desk to be signed into law. Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL-13) and Grace Napolitano (D-CA-32) introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act will establish a centennial commission in preparation for the … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Duckworth Helps Introduce Bill to Provide Desperately Needed Funding for Home and Community-Based Services, Hazard Pay
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) helped U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduce the HCBS Relief Act, legislation that would provide increased funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) as people with disabilities face exponentially higher death rates from COVID-19. The bill would provide dedicated Medicaid funds for HCBS, reducing the need for people with disabilities and older adults to move into congregate settings and allowing them to receive the services … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin, Schumer, Democratic Colleagues Write To FBI and DHS Requesting Information on QAnon Threat Posed To America and Abroad
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democrats in writing to FBI Director Christopher Wray and Principal Deputy General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Joseph Maher requesting a written assessment to Congress on the threat posed by QAnon, in the United States and abroad. The Senators also request information on the role of foreign influence operations in the inception … Continue Reading
December 07, 2020
Duckworth Writes to Pompeo Demanding a Call to Discuss Plans for Illinoisan’s Safe Return from Afghanistan
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - 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, wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to express her dismay at Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad's refusal to take phone calls with Mark Frerichs' family. Mark Frerichs, an Illinoisan and a Veteran of the U.S. Navy, was abducted by the Taliban in Kabul earlier this year and is currently being … Continue Reading
December 04, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join Booker To Introduce Resolution Calling For First United States Commission On Truth, Racial Healing, And Transformation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to introduce the United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation resolution, urging Congress to form the first commission acknowledging and examining the systemic racism that has disenfranchised Black Americans and other communities of color throughout U.S. history and the racial inequities that persist today. U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced … Continue Reading
December 03, 2020
Duckworth, Klobuchar, Rounds Urge Administration to Ensure Servicemembers and Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Receive Proper Care During Coronavirus Pandemic
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) urged the Administration to ensure that servicemembers and Veterans with previous exposure to burn pits receive the care they need during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In a letter to the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA), the Senators requested that the Departments identify what steps they are taking to improve care for servicemembers and Veterans previously … Continue Reading
December 03, 2020
Duckworth Highlights Importance of Restoring Relationships in the Indo-Pacific Region At Brookings Institution Virtual Event
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today delivered a keynote address on the importance of restoring relationships with key allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region at a virtual event hosted by the Center for East Asia Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution. A video of her address and the following Q&A can be found here. Key quotes: "For centuries now, the U.S. and Thailand have learned from and leaned on each other: militarily, … Continue Reading
December 03, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin, Colleagues Introduce Resolution In Support of Thailand’s Pro-Democracy Movement
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and a group of six of their Senate colleagues today introduced a Senate Resolution to underscore the United States’ commitment to human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Thailand. The Senators’ resolution follows recent demonstrations by Thailand’s pro-democracy movement, which have been met with violence and repression by the country’s government. Joining Duckworth, Durbin and Menendez … Continue Reading
December 03, 2020
Duckworth Discusses COVID-19 Relief Efforts with Chicago Federation of Musicians
[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) held a call with Terryl Jares, President of the Chicago Federation of Musicians (CFM), this week to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the performing arts community in Chicago. Duckworth and Jares also spoke about federal relief measures including the extension of federal unemployment benefits and the Paycheck Protection Program. "I had a productive call with the Chicago Federation of Musicians to discuss much-needed relief for the performing … Continue Reading
December 02, 2020
Duckworth Commends Marine Corps and Navy on Efforts to Respect Black Servicemembers by Removing Confederate Symbols From Military Installations
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - At today's U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC) Subcommittee on Readiness, Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) commended General David H. Berger, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Admiral Michael H. Gilday, Chief of U.S. Naval Operations, for their leadership in removing the Confederate flag from Navy and Marine Corps installations. Duckworth also discussed readiness and operational logistics systems in the Indo-Pacific region with these military … Continue Reading
December 02, 2020
Duckworth Responds to Trump’s Second Threat to Block Pay Raise for Our Troops Over Unrelated Policy Issues
[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, released the following statement in response to President Trump's new threat to veto the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) over Congress' refusal to repeal Section 230. "It's bad enough that Trump threatened to veto a pay raise for our troops in order to protect the legacies of Confederate traitors, but … Continue Reading
December 02, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $52 Million to Support Head Start and Early Head Start in Chicago
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $52.7 million in federal grant funding to the City of Chicago for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Administration for Children and Families, will support comprehensive child development programs for low-income children from birth to age five. "Head Start and Early Head Start programs are critical … Continue Reading
December 01, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Join Colleagues In Requesting Extension of Pandemic Unemployment Programs Set To Expire During Holiday Season
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and 28 of their colleagues in urging Senate leaders to include in the next COVID-19 relief package an extension of two critical financial lifelines for Americans affected by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis. Currently, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program - which provides unemployment assistance to domestic workers, freelance … Continue Reading
November 24, 2020
Duckworth, Durbin Discuss COVID-19 Outbreak At LaSalle State Veterans Home With IDVA Director, Call for Investigation
[SPRINGFIELD, I.L] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), a combat Veteran and former Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA), today discussed ongoing efforts to mitigate and prevent COVID-19 at State Veterans Homes in Illinois with Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) Director Linda Chapa LaVia, specifically the outbreak at the LaSalle State Veterans Home. This week, Duckworth and Durbin sent a letter to Director Chapa LaVia calling … Continue Reading
November 24, 2020
Duckworth Joins Booker, 15 Democratic Senators in Urging Robust Funding for State and Local Governments to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccine
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and 15 of their Democratic Senate colleagues in urging Congressional leaders to provide robust funding to ensure the swift distribution of COVID-19 vaccines as a part of any upcoming legislation to address the pandemic. "For months, as states, territories, Indian Tribes, and other localities have been responding to COVID-19 and working tirelessly to keep their residents safe, they have also been … Continue Reading
