Government
Ill. lawmakers introduce Servicemember Student Loan Afforadability Act
Durbin and Duckworth bill would make it more appealing for servicemembers to refinance student loans
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 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.
Government
Illinois lawmakers call for more railroad safety funding
Reps. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and Mike Quigley (D-IL),Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Metra officials on Monday called for more federal funding for positive train control (PTC) and other improvements to rail safety.
Government
Durbin calls for ban on asbestos in children's products
Senator joins fellow lawmaker in sending plea to Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Government
Durbin meets with llinois Farm Bureau
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) on Tuesday met with the Illinois Farm Bureau to discuss its continued support and investment in Illinois’ agricultural communities.
Government
Sen. Durbin meets with Illinois Corn Growers and Illinois Soybean Association
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) recently met with Illinois Corn Growers and the Illinois Soybean Association to discuss the impact of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) delay in setting production levels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014, additional opportunities for Illinois farmers associated with opening trade with Cuba and other agricultural matters.
Government
Durbin voices support for crackdown on gun trafficking
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) on Thursday expressed his support for legislation aimed at cracking down on the daily flow of illegal guns on American streets.
Government
Senator Durbin announces FEMA grants for Illinois first responders
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) on Wednesday announced that communities across Illinois have received grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) totaling roughly $3.1 million.
Government
Sen. Durbin announces grant to Addison Fire Protection District
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) on Friday announced that the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded a $218,182 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to the Addison Fire Protection District.
Government
Durbin targets for-profit colleges that exploit federal aid programs
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Rohit Chopra, former student-loan ombudsman at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and current senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, met on Tuesday to discuss enhancing oversight of for-profit colleges.
Government
Sen. Durbin supports bill to give veteran small businesses access to federal surplus program
U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and David Vitter (R-LA) on Wednesday expressed support for passage of the Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act through the Small Business Committee.
Government
Durbin says newly passed transportation bill brings certainty to businesses and government
DRIVE Act reauthorizes surface transportation programs for six years.
Government
Durbin co-sponsors Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act
U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced the Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act late last week. The legislation seeks to enhance programs that assist states and local communities in suicide prevention, help children recover from traumatic events, provide mental-health awareness for teachers and other individuals, and assess barriers to integrating behavioral health and primary care.