Government
Durbin supports Detergent Poisoning and Child Safety Act
Proposed bill would raise awareness of laundry packets' dangers.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)
Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Springfield, is the 47th U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois, the state’s senior senator, and the convener of Illinois’ bipartisan congressional delegation.
Durbin also serves as the Senate Majority Whip, the second highest ranking position among the Senate Democrats. Senator Durbin has been elected to this leadership post by his Democratic colleagues every two years since 2005.
Durbin serves as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sits on the Appropriations and Agriculture Committees.
Elected to the U.S. Senate on November 5, 1996, and re-elected in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020, Durbin fills the seat left vacant by the retirement of his long-time friend and mentor, U.S. Senator Paul Simon.
Senator Durbin makes approximately 50 round trips a year between Washington and Illinois. He is married to Loretta Schaefer Durbin. Their family consists of three children--Christine (deceased), Paul, and Jennifer--as well as six grandchildren. They reside in Springfield.
Recent News About U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)
Government
Durbin, BNSF chairman meet to discuss Ill. train derailment
Senator calls for stricter standards for transportation of flammable material.
Government
Federal grant to help Illinois preserve historical sites
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said on Monday that the National Park Service is providing a $1.14 million grant to help preserve historical sites in Illinois. “Illinois is blessed to have so many areas rich with history,” Durbin said.
Government
Durbin, Cicilline aim to protect young farm workers from tobacco plants
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) want to ensure that child workers are protected from the dangers of exposure to tobacco plants by introducing legislation on Thursday titled the Children Don’t Belong on Tobacco Farms Act.
Government
Durbin calls for federal regulations on e-cigarettes to protect youths
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) released a statement on Thursday in response to findings from the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey, which showed that for the first time since e-cigarettes entered the market, more U.S. teens are using e-cigarettes than traditional cigarettes.
Government
Durbin 'relieved' landfill, aquifer plans in Illinois abandoned
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued a statement on Thursday after learning Area Disposal has abandoned plans to locate an industrial waste facility at the Clinton Landfill in Clinton, Illinois, and to dispose of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) above the Mahomet Aquifer.
Government
Durbin, Will County Board discuss infrastructure, development issues
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with members of the Will County Board last week, while they were in Washington, D.C., for their annual fly-in, to discuss economic-development issues, transportation priorities and manufacturing partnerships that involve the county.
Government
Durbin wants Illinois' needs part of passenger rail bill
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) called on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Wednesday to include several high-priority Illinois items in its Passenger Rail Reauthorization legislation. Several noteworthy concerns also were raised by Durbin regarding similar legislation passed by the House earlier this year that would significantly impact the state's passenger rail system.
Government
Durbin, 6 other U.S. senators call for full funding of food-safety law
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and six other senators sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee, requesting that it fully fund the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) food-safety provisions mandated in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Since the bill was signed into law in 2011, the FSMA has been funded with less than half of what is needed for full implementation.
Government
Durbin demands feds offer debt relief to former Everest College students
Everest College part of now-defunct Corinthian College system
Government
Quigley, Durbin introduce Urban Flooding Awareness Act
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D- IL) recently introduced a new bicameral Urban Flooding Awareness Act to seek solutions for urban areas that have been most affected by the increased flooding.
Government
Ill. lawmakers introduce Servicemember Student Loan Afforadability Act
Durbin and Duckworth bill would make it more appealing for servicemembers to refinance student loans
Government
Durbin co-authors bill to add part-timers to Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Part-time university and college faculty may soon be eligible to participate in the federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program for public servants, with U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Al Franken (D-MN) introducing legislation on Thursday that would allow part-time faculty to participate.
Government
Quigley, Durbin urge Supreme Court to allow live audio
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote a letter to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday, also signed by other lawmakers, urging the court to permit live audio in the chamber. The effort comes ahead of immiment, historic rulings on same-sex marriage and the Affordable Care Act.
Government
Durbin, Kelly unveil bill to regulate tar-sands refining, study pet-coke byproduct
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Dist. 2) said late last week that they are co-sponsoring legislation to address the concerns of petroleum coke, or pet coke, on a national level by seeking federal environmental safety regulations on refining tar sands, of which pet coke is a byproduct.