Dupage Policy Journal

Durbin urges House leadership to adopt transportation legislation

By Mark Reccek | Oct 6, 2015

U.S. Senator says businesses and state governments need certainty to move forward.

State Sen. Cullerton calls job fair a success

By Mark Reccek | Oct 4, 2015

A job fair hosted by State Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-IL) at the Odeum Expo Center Wednesday proved to be a success.

Lipinski wants greater protections for U.S. airlines

By Mark Reccek | Oct 4, 2015

Reps. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Robert Dold (R-IL), Paul Cook (R-CA), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Steve Israel (R-NY) and Frank Pallone (D-NY) recently requested a meeting with U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to discuss protecting U.S.airlines and their workers from unfair competition coming from government-subsidized Persian Gulf carriers.

Hultgren casts vote in favor of National Defense Authorization Act

By Mark Reccek | Oct 4, 2015

Rep. Randy Hultgren (D-IL) on Thursday expressed support for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016.

Kirk's VA bill fails to move ahead in Senate

By Mark Reccek | Oct 4, 2015

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) on Thursday failed to gain the needed support on the Senate floor for his Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill that would funds veteran’s care at record levels and extend whistleblower protections to Veterans Administration doctors and nurses.

May Watts Elementary recognized as National Blue Ribbon School

By Mark Reccek | Oct 3, 2015

May Watts Elementary School has been recognized as one of 335 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015 based on academic excellence.

Illinois lawmakers in D.C. spotlight report on Chicago air traffic control woes

By Mark Reccek | Oct 1, 2015

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Dist. 3) joined U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Reps. Tammy Duckworth (D-Dist. 8), Bill Foster (D-Dist. 11), Mike Quigley (D-Dist. 5) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Dist. 9)on Wednesday in revealing that a Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General's (IG) probe found that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s contingency plans and security protocols were insufficient at Chicago air traffic control facilities at the time of a 2014 fire at an Aurora facilit

Hultgren co-sponsors Medicare Common Access Card Act of 2015

By Mark Reccek | Oct 1, 2015

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Dist. 14) said on Thursday that he is co-sponsoring the Medicare Common Access Card Act of 2015. H.R. 3220 would require Medicare to use smart-card technology that would reduce fraud, as well as reform the way Medicare reimbursements work, mandating electronic confirmation of payments to reduce the abuse of and costs to the Medicare program.

Quigley praises bill to extend Positive Train Control installation deadline

By Mark Reccek | Oct 1, 2015

U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (D-Dist. 5) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released a statement on Thursday praising the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's introduction of the Positive Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015.

St. Charles water main project to stretch into fall

By Mark Reccek | Oct 1, 2015

The city of St. Charles said Tuesday that its water main project on North Fifth Avenue has been delayed due to the scope and complexity of the project, weather delays and unforeseen circumstances. The project had been scheduled to be completed in September; completion now has been pushed back to later this fall.

Durbin said government shutdown could have impacted aid recipients

By Mark Reccek | Oct 1, 2015

Sen. Dick Durbin, along with fellow Illinois Democrats Reps. Mike Quigley and Jan Schakowsky, held a press conference this week to discuss the impact a government shutdown would have on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Kirk votes with majority to prevent partial federal government shutdown

By Mark Reccek | Oct 1, 2015

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) voted with a Senate majority on Wednesday, along with a House majority, to prevent a partial shutdown of the federal government by supporting a short-term measure that extends current levels of funding for programs vital to Illinois, including veterans' care, efforts to protect the Great Lakes and anti-gang initiatives.

West Chicago crack sealing to begin Oct. 19

By Mark Reccek | Oct 1, 2015

Road construction expected to be completely by Nov. 27

Durbin co-sponsors Students Before Profits Act

By Mark Reccek | Oct 1, 2015

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in introducing the Students Before Profits Act of 2015. The bill aims to protect college students from deceptive practices in the for-profit college sector, while ensuring students have access to important and accurate information.