Dupage Policy Journal

Durbin, other lawmakers defend same-sex couples in Social Security agency lapse

By Andy Jennings | Oct 30, 2015

U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) and 119 other fellow legislators submitted a letter on Monday to Carolyn Colvin, acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Attorney General Loretta Lynch, urging them to ensure that the Supreme Court’s recent landmark same-sex marriage decision is implemented into policy practices and that the Social Security Administration (SSA) treats all marriages equally.

Kirk applauds House passage of Export-Import Bank reauthorization bill

By Andy Jennings | Oct 30, 2015

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) released a statement after the House passed the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act on Tuesday. Kirk introduced the bill with fellow Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND).The senators' bill passed in the Senate in July as an amendment to the DRIVE Act.

Lombard seeks applicants for Local Tourism Grants

By Andy Jennings | Oct 28, 2015

The Village of Lombard is seeking grant applications for programs and events that support local tourism and promote the village as a destination for vacations. First-time applicants to the program are invited to submit their application for Local Tourism Grant funds to the Village office by Dec. 17.

Metra gets federal grant to replace rail bridge over Fox River

By Andy Jennings | Oct 28, 2015

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Dist. 8) said on Monday that a $14 million TIGER grant from the Department of Transportation (DOT) has been awarded to Metra to replace the rail bridge over the Fox River.

Lipinski's efforts to protect Worth preserve from Army Corps dumping pay off

By Andy Jennings | Oct 28, 2015

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Dist. 3) said on Monday that the final step has been implemented to protect the 78-acre Lucas-Berg Preserve in Worth from being used as a dumping site by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for materials dredged from the Cal-Sag Channel.

Aurora Farmers Market gets federal grants to boost access to fresh, local food

By Andy Jennings | Oct 28, 2015

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently awarded grants totaling $99,965 to the City of Aurora Farmers Market to increase access to fresh and healthy foods -- including produce, dairy, meats and breads -- to low-income families, as well as boost the local agriculture economy.

Cunningham introduces bills to change how college executives are paid

By Andy Jennings | Oct 27, 2015

In a continuing effort to slow the increase in college tuition costs, State Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Dist. 18), chairman of the State Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education Executive Compensation, recently introduced several bills to change how Illinois’ higher education executives are paid.

Naperville releases traffic-diversion plans for Healthy Driven Marathons

By Andy Jennings | Oct 27, 2015

With the third annual Healthy Driven Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon less than two weeks away, the City of Naperville has published a guide to street closures and parking restrictions that will be implemented during the highly anticipated event on Sunday, Nov. 8.

Downers Grove releases draft report on effort to preserve historical landmarks

By Andy Jennings | Oct 27, 2015

The Village of Downers Grove released a draft report with guidance on bolstering the number of properties that are designated as historical landmarks, thereby avoiding the loss of buildings that are architecturally significant to the community. The report was done by the Architectural Design Review Board (ADRB) and the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Historic Preservation.

Quigley, other lawmakers introduce SEC Small Business Advocate Act

By Andy Jennings | Oct 27, 2015

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Dist. 5) joined Reps. John Carney (D-DE), Sean Duffy (R-WI) and Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) in introducing the SEC Small Business Advocate Act of 2015 late last week. The legislation would set up an Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation and formalizes a Small Business Advisory Committee, giving small businesses a voice and a line of communication with regulators and lawmakers.

Murkowski supports lifting ban on crude oil exports

By Andy Jennings | Sep 4, 2015

Research indicates that removal of restrictions could lower gas prices

Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee urges federal government to return seized funds to Sowers family

By Andy Jennings | Aug 14, 2015

Earlier this week, a bipartisan group of members from the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee, led by Chairman Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) called upon the U.S. Treasury Department to return money that it seized from a Maryland family of dairy farmers.