Press Releases
Duckworth, Durbin Help Reintroduce Paid Family & Medical Leave Legislation
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and 32 of their colleagues today in reintroducing the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act. The legislation would establish a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program that will provide 12 weeks of paid leave for workers who need time to care for a newborn or adopted child, a seriously ill family member, or their own serious health condition. "Far … Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $5 Million to Improve Rail Speed, Reliability in Southern Illinois
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will receive $5,083,719 in federal funding to support the Lenox Interlocking Reconfiguration Project in Madison County, which aims to increase speeds and operational flexibility for both passenger and freight services. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration's Fiscal Year 2017 Consolidated … Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Repeal Trump Tax Attack on Middle Class Families
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) in helping introduce bipartisan legislation to fully restore the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. The Trump Tax Law of 2017 capped this deduction at $10,000, leading to millions of middle-class Americans being double-taxed. With the beginning of tax-filing season underway, many taxpayers-especially in states like Illinois-are now realizing that they owe significantly … Continue Reading
February 11, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce Legislation to Require Supreme Court Justices to Adopt Ethics Code
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) in introducing the Supreme Court Ethics Act, which would require the U.S. Supreme Court to adopt a code of ethics for Supreme Court justices. Currently, Supreme Court justices are exempt from the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges, which all other federal judges are required to follow. The Code of Conduct is a binding code of ethics that ensures neutrality and transparency in … Continue Reading
February 08, 2019
Duckworth Joins Tester, Murkowski & Pingree in Re-Introducing Legislation to Support Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1) this week in re-introducing bipartisan legislation to improve resources and care for survivors of military sexual trauma (MST). The Servicemember and Veterans' Empowerment and Support Act expands the definition of MST to ensure servicemembers and Veterans who experience online sexual harassment can access VA … Continue Reading
February 08, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Antiquities Act to Protect America’s National Monuments
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) to introduce the America's Natural Treasures of Immeasurable Quality Unite, Inspire, and Together Improve the Economies of States (ANTIQUITIES) Act of 2019. This legislation will protect America's national monuments against the Trump administration's relentless attacks on public lands and reinforces Congress' clear intent in the Antiquities Act of 1906: only Congress has the … Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
In Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing, Duckworth Discusses Instability in South America and Threats of Extremists in Africa
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator and combat veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed transportation and security logistics, and a whole of government approach to responding to threats of extremism and instability with General Thomas Waldhauser (U.S. Marine Corps) and Admiral Craig Faller (U.S. Navy). Waldhauser is the Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Faller is the Commander of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). … Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Request VA, CDC & EPA Assistance in Investigating Potential Legionella-Linked Death at Manteno Illinois Veterans Home
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today requesting the agencies deploy a multidisciplinary team of experts to help state officials as they address Legionnaires' disease at the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno, Illinois. After the tragic death of a Veteran at IVH Manteno in Kankakee County, the … Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
Duckworth Joins Casey, Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Help People with Disabilities Find Employment
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Bob Casey and four of their Senate colleagues in helping to introduce legislation to make it easier for employers to hire and retain individuals with disabilities and make workplaces more accessible. The Disability Employment Incentive Act (DEIA) will expand three existing tax credits: the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, the Disability Access Expenditures Tax Credit and the Architectural and Transportation Barrier Tax … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Duckworth Highlights Need to Address Opioid Epidemic in Meeting with Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with more than a dozen advocates and treatment professionals with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) yesterday to discuss substance abuse prevention and treatment, including their shared and continuing efforts to address the opioid crisis, in Illinois. Photos from yesterday's meeting are available here. "Resolving our nation's opioid crisis requires a comprehensive effort from officials at every level of … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Duckworth Discusses Infrastructure Investments with St. Louis Regional Chamber
[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) spoke with representatives of the St. Louis Regional Chamber today about a number of important investments that could help grow the region's economy. Duckworth, who is the Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, discussed proposals like the Hyperloop connecting St. Louis and Kansas City and she highlighted her efforts to enhance economic and workforce development and to support jobs in STEM fields. … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce Legislation to Prevent Housing Discrimination
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and nine other Senators in helping to introduce legislation to protect potential home-buyers from racial discrimination by reinstating reporting requirements from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that were repealed last year. The Home Loan Quality Transparency Act would ensure loan quality criteria is made publically available by any … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Duckworth Statement on Trump’s 2019 State of the Union Address
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement after President Trump delivered his 2019 State of the Union Address: "Tonight, we saw the same reckless rhetoric that has been a signature of Donald Trump's presidency. Instead of attempting to unite the country and bring people together after the ridiculous and unnecessary government shutdown, the President played on America's internal divisions and employed his usual xenophobic attacks on immigrants. … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Duckworth Statement on EPA Air Quality Test Results Near Sterigenics
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - In response to new data from EPA's ambient air quality monitoring surrounding Sterigenics in Willowbrook, Illinois, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement: "This new EPA data confirms what we have feared: Sterigenics continues to pose a threat to the health of its neighbors. While it cannot undo the damage that has already been done to families in the Willowbrook area, the EPA can act to prevent further harm to our children. EPA must … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Duckworth Discusses Transportation Logistics Security in the Middle East with CENTCOM General
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator and combat veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed the importance of logistics supply chain security and safety with CENTCOM Commander General Joseph L. Votel. Duckworth, a former Army logistics officer, questioned the commander about the safety of the U.S. military's supply chain security should conflict with the Iranians escalate in the region. Duckworth also discussed the importance of U.S.-funded … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Duckworth Votes Against EPA Nominee Andrew Wheeler
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after voting against Andrew Wheeler's nomination to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): "As Acting Administrator of the EPA, Mr. Wheeler has continued his predecessor's agenda of undermining policies meant to move our country away from oil and towards renewable fuels. During his nomination hearing, Mr. Wheeler claimed to be implementing the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) the way … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Duckworth Announces Chicago Union Apprentice Lily Wu as State of the Union Guest
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced that she is bringing Lily Wu, a Chicagoan and first-generation American, as her guest to the State of the Union address tonight. Lily is a third-year apprentice with IBEW Local 134 in Chicago and the daughter of Chinese immigrants who is trying to break into a male-dominated field and achieve the American Dream. To arrange an interview with Lily or Senator Duckworth, please contact Sean at sean_savett@duckworth.senate.gov. "I … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
In New Report, Duckworth Highlights Her Work for People of Illinois During Her First Congress as Senator
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released her "115th Congress in Review" report highlighting her work and accomplishments for the people of Illinois since arriving in the Senate two years ago. The new report outlines Duckworth's efforts to help people get ahead, fight for our troops and Veterans, support job creation throughout Illinois, protect civil rights and hold Washington accountable. "I'm proud of the work we've done and what we've accomplished for the … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Duckworth & Carper Lead EPW Democrats in Requesting Extension of EPA Public Comment Periods Due to Shutdown
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE), and 8 other EPW Democrats today urged U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler to reopen public comment periods for all pending regulatory decisions, extend those that are currently open and reschedule all public hearings that were cancelled due to the shutdown. For parts of the 35-day government shutdown, many of the … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
On First Day of Black History Month, Duckworth & Durbin Announce Introduction of Bill to Establish Springfield 1908 Race Riot Site As A National Monument
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced the introduction of the Springfield Race Riot National Monument Act, which designates the 1908 Race Riot Sites in Springfield, Illinois as a national monument to be managed by the National Park Service. With less than a quarter of National Parks devoted to recognizing the histories of diverse peoples and cultures, designating the 1908 Race Riot Site a National Monument will guarantee that … Continue Reading
