Press Releases
Duckworth Statement on Jeff Sessions’ Latest Move to Block Chicago Police Reform
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement today in response to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions' announcement that he will oppose a Chicago Police Department consent decree that would help safeguard civil rights, improve public safety and save lives. "The Trump Administration has been out of step with the needs of the people of Chicago and Illinois since the very start-from withholding federal violence prevention funding in order to force the … Continue Reading
October 10, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $24 Million for Water Infrastructure Improvements in Central Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $24,000,000 in federal funding today to the Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Company, Inc. to help rebuild and repair water infrastructure in Central Illinois. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) office of Rural Development's Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program, which helps households and business in rural areas make infrastructure enhancements that improve … Continue Reading
October 09, 2018
Duckworth: New Federal Funding to Test for Lead in Schools Will Help Protect Health of Illinois Children
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $20 million last week for states to test for lead in drinking water at school and childcare facilities: "When families send their children to school, they should not have to worry about the school's drinking water being contaminated with a dangerous neurotoxin like lead," Duckworth said. "The threat of contaminated water is a public health … Continue Reading
October 09, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Urge DHS to Withdraw Misguided “Public Charge” Rule
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and 18 of their Senate colleagues today in urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to withdraw its proposed "public charge" rule, which would bar legal immigrants from obtaining permanent residency if they or members of their household use or have used public assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid. In a letter to DHS … Continue Reading
October 09, 2018
Duckworth’s FAM Act to Help Nursing Mothers Signed Into Law
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - After U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth's (D-IL) legislation to provide nursing mothers traveling through large and medium-sized airports access to private, clean and accessible lactation rooms was signed into law last week, Duckworth released the following statement: "This bipartisan bill will help moms and their children find clean and accessible spaces to express breastmilk during travel," said Senator Duckworth. "Breastfeeding has long-lasting health benefits that protect … Continue Reading
October 06, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s Confirmation to the Supreme Court
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate narrowly voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court: "The word 'disappointed' doesn't begin to cover what I'm feeling right now. I'm heartbroken for the survivors of sexual assault who were forced to relive their trauma over the past few weeks, and I'm deeply worried for the millions of Americans whose lives will be affected by Brett Kavanaugh's decisions on the highest court … Continue Reading
October 05, 2018
Hours Before Final Vote, Duckworth Implores Senate to Reject Kavanaugh
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor tonight outlining why she will be voting no on Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation tomorrow. Duckworth detailed Kavanaugh's record of dishonesty in his confirmation hearings, the credible allegations of sexual assault against him from Dr. Ford and others as well as his extremely partisan comments. Video of the speech is available here. "By refusing to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, we can send the message … Continue Reading
October 04, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Statement on Investigation into Rauner Administration's Response to Legionnaires' Outbreaks at IVH Quincy
[WASHINGTON, D.C] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced that her office has opened a criminal probe into the Rauner Administration's response to the multiple Legionnaires' disease outbreaks at Illinois Veterans' Home (IVH) Quincy since 2015: It appears that the Governor and his administration deliberately postponed announcing an outbreak of deadly Legionnaires' disease at IVH … Continue Reading
October 04, 2018
From the Senate Floor, Duckworth Calls on Senate to Reject Judge Kavanaugh’s Confirmation and Believe Survivors
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) delivered a speech on the Senate floor this afternoon detailing why Judge Brett Kavanaugh's steady stream of lies and angry partisan outbursts should disqualify him from serving on the Supreme Court. Duckworth reiterated her belief in Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, criticizing President Trump for using a political rally to mock a sexual assault survivor's trauma and try to bully her back into the shadows. Video of Duckworth's speech is … Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
Duckworth Meets with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District Commander
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with the Chicago District Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Colonel Aaron W. Reisinger, today to discuss water infrastructure investments and plans to mitigate urban flooding in Chicago. A photo of the meeting is available here. Duckworth also met with the Army Corps of Engineers' Rock Island District Commander, Colonel Steven Sattinger, last week to discuss flood risk management and the lock-and-dam systems along the … Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
At Senate Hearing, Duckworth Applauds Metra’s PTC Implementation, Calls for Fair Distribution of Federal Funding
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) applauded Metra, northeastern Illinois' commuter rail system, at today's U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing for working to stay on track for full implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) technologies that make trains safer for commuters, workers and communities. Duckworth also expressed her concern to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Ronald Batory that agencies like Metra, who … Continue Reading
October 03, 2018
Senate Passes Duckworth Proposals to Help Nursing Mothers, Protect Passengers with Disabilities & Make Air Travel Safer
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Nearly a dozen of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth's (D-IL) proposals passed the Senate today as part of the 5-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Duckworth's bills and amendments will make air travel safer, provide nursing mothers with private, clean and accessible lactation rooms, protect the right of passengers with disabilities and help small airports across Illinois make critical upgrades to their infrastructure. Duckworth also successfully … Continue Reading
October 02, 2018
Duckworth on Independent Investigation into Trump Administration’s Family Separation Policy: Not Only Inhumane and Cruel, but Utterly Incompetent Too
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Inspector General released its report on the Acting Inspector General's independent investigation regarding the Trump Administration's implementation of it's so called "zero-tolerance" that resulted in thousands of infants and children being separated from their parents at the border. "Once again, an independent investigation conducted by the … Continue Reading
October 01, 2018
Duckworth Helps Break Ground at the CREATE Program’s 75th Street Corridor Project with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao
[CHICAGO, IL] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and a number of Illinois and Chicagoland elected officials at the groundbreaking of the CREATE Program's 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project. Made possible in part thanks to the $132 million federal investment that Duckworth helped secure in June, this project of regional and national significance aims to eliminate freight congestion and reduce wait times at one of the worst … Continue Reading
October 01, 2018
As National Manufacturing Month Kicks Off, Duckworth, Durbin Announce over $400,000 to Boost Illinois Manufacturing
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $445,090 in federal funding today to help the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) in Peoria continue its work to help small businesses grow throughout Illinois. This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). "Investments like these help Illinois small business create jobs, improve efficiency and spur economic development," said … Continue Reading
October 01, 2018
Duckworth Statement on Trump Administration’s Inhumane “Public Charge” Proposal
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to reports that the Trump Administration will propose a new rule that would allow immigration officials to deny green cards to immigrants for the wholly legal action of using public benefits like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement: "This proposal is as heartless as it is dangerous. My family teetered on the brink of homelessness when I was in high school and relied … Continue Reading
September 30, 2018
Duckworth to Trump’s EPA: Clean Power Plan Essential for Job Creation and Public Health in Illinois
[CHICAGO, IL] - In advance of tomorrow's EPA Field Hearing in Chicago regarding the Trump Administration's efforts to repeal the Clean Power Plan, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the public comments she intends to submit for the hearing outlining the harmful health, environmental and economic impacts Illinoisans, including the 120,000 who work in the clean energy sector, would experience if the Clean Power Plan is thrown out. Duckworth's comments also discuss how the elimination … Continue Reading
September 28, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Announce $3.75 Million to Improve Southern Illinois Airport Infrastructure
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today $3,750,000 in federal funding for the Southern Illinois Airport Authority to upgrade airport infrastructure while boosting economic development and connectivity in the region. The funding, which comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA), is expected to create 45 new jobs and leverage $400,000 in private investment. "Airport infrastructure investments … Continue Reading
September 28, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin Demand Meeting with EPA Acting Administrator after Regional Administrator Cancels Meeting Three Times with Little Notice or Explanation
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) are demanding a meeting with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler to discuss a number of critical and timely issues affecting Illinoisans' health and well-being. The Senators' demand for a meeting with Wheeler comes after EPA Region 5 Administrator Cathy Stepp scheduled and confirmed, then cancelled, three separate meetings in recent months, providing little notice and … Continue Reading
September 27, 2018
Duckworth, Durbin & Foster Statement on EPA Testing Air Quality in Willowbrook for Cancer-Causing Emissions
Today, the EPA notified U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11) that they have begun testing air quality near Willowbrook-based Sterigenics for emissions of ethylene oxide, which has been linked to elevated rates of a cancer and is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a known carcinogen. Sterigenics uses ethylene oxide to sterilize medical products and equipment. According to the 2014 National Air Toxins Assessment … Continue Reading
