As a member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Durbin recognizes that a solid transporation infrastructure is vital to a strong economy. Moreover, he understands that Illinois operates as the nation's transportation hub. Chicago's O'Hare Airport consistently ranks as one of the world's busiest airports, the nation's freight rail carriers converge in Illinois, and the state's highway system serves as the crossroads of America. Therefore, in order to maintain Illinois' status as the nation's transportation epicenter, he has worked to secure federal funding for numerous transportation projects in Illinois. Just recently, he fought to complete the federal ground transportation bill which addresses critical highway, bridge and mass transit needs in Illinois. President Bush signed the bill into law in August 2005. For every $1 billion spent on transportation infrastructure, it is estimated that 24,000 new jobs are supported. By providing Illinois with $1.2 billion per year in transportation funding, the new federal transportation bill will support tens of thousands of new jobs for Illinois families. Senator Durbin's other transportation priorities include funding for Amtrak . He believes Amtrak is vitally important to Illinois and he has worked to stop the Bush Administration's attempt to cut and privatize Amtrak rail service. In Illinois alone, more than 3 million Amtrak passengers would be out on the highways and more than 2,000 employees would be out their jobs if Amtrak was shut down. Other priorities include modernization at O’Hare, increased utilization of the Northwest Chicagoland International Airport at Rockford (RFD) and construction of an airport in the south suburbs. Date Title 10/24/2006  DURBIN, COLLEAGUES SAY CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY MUST HONOR ITS AGREEMENTS WITH AMTRAK 10/17/2006  DURBIN HOSTS STATEWIDE RAIL SUMMIT WITH AMTRAK PRESIDENT AND ILLINOIS MAYORS TO DISCUSS AMTRAK EXPANSION 09/29/2006  DURBIN AMENDMENT HELPS INNOCENT AIRLINE PASSENGERS MISTAKENLY PLACED ON TERRORIST WATCH LIST 09/25/2006  DURBIN HELPS SECURE CHICAGO’S FIRST SIGNIFICANT PORT SECURITY GRANT OF MORE THAN $11 MILLION 09/13/2006  DURBIN MEETS WITH TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY NOMINEE MARY PETERS TO DISCUSS ILLINOIS PRIORITIES 09/12/2006  DURBIN ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $7 MILLION IN DOT GRANTS FOR ILLINOIS AIRPORTS 08/30/2006  DURBIN ANNOUNCES $1,000,000 FOR RUNWAY EXTENSION AT WAUKEGAN AIRPORT 08/09/2006  DURBIN: FLOOD PROOF ROAD TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY QUAD CITY CAMPUS 08/09/2006  DURBIN FIGHTS FOR FULL FUNDING OF AMTRAK TO ENSURE NEW SERVICE TO QUINCY ON ILLINOIS ZEPHYR 08/03/2006  DURBIN AND MANZULLO URGE STATE OF ILLINOIS TO APPLY FOR NORTHERN ILLINOIS AMTRAK SERVICE 07/25/2006  ILLINOIS SENATORS ANNOUNCE HOLD ON NOMINEE UNTIL FAA CLARIFIES POLICY ON CONSTRUCTION OF WIND FARM 07/20/2006  DURBIN: SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES $105 MILLION IN TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING FUNDING FOR ILLINOIS 07/19/2006  SENATE APPROVES LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE MISSISSIPPI RIVER NAVIGATION AND ECOSYSTEM 07/15/2006  STATEMENT OF SEN. DURBIN REGARDING UNITED’S DECISION TO KEEP AIRLINE HEADQUARTERS IN CHICAGO AREA 07/07/2006  DURBIN SECURES $75,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN DUQUOIN 06/30/2006  DURBIN: SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES $223 MILLION FOR ILLINOIS PROJECTS 06/29/2006  DURBIN: SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES $2 MILLION FOR ILLINOIS BRIDGE 06/27/2006  DURBIN: SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES $2 MILLION FOR STATEWIDE TEACHER TRAINING INITIATIVES & INSTALLATION OF NEW ETHANOL PUMP 06/23/2006  STATEMENT OF U.S. SENATOR DURBIN ON RESIGNATION OF TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY NORM MINETA 06/20/2006  DURBIN JOINS BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO IMPROVE FUEL ECONOMY STANDARDS 06/08/2006  SENATOR DURBIN AND IDOT SECRETARY TIM MARTIN SPEAK OUT AGAINST HOUSE CUTS TO AMTRAK FUNDING 06/07/2006  DURBIN URGES UNITED CEO TO KEEP AIRLINE HEADQUARTERS IN CHICAGO AREA 06/05/2006  DURBIN ANNOUNCES $15 MILLION FOR MIDWAY AIRPORT TO IMPROVE RUNWAY SAFETY 06/01/2006  DURBIN, OBAMA ASK CONGRESS TO FUND CHICAGO RAIL MODERNIZATION 05/26/2006  DURBIN STATEMENT REGARDING PROPOSED CUT TO AMTRAK FUNDING 05/17/2006  DEMOCRATS LEAD THE WAY TOWARD ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY 05/17/2006  DURBIN ASKS AMTRAK PRESIDENT TO MEET REGARDING ROCKFORD SERVICE 05/10/2006  DURBIN ASKS PRESIDENT TO ABANDON CALL FOR BRAZILIAN ETHANOL IMPORTS 05/05/2006  DURBIN STATEMENT REGARDING ILLINOIS STATE BUDGET COMMITMENT TO EXPAND AMTRAK 05/05/2006  DURBIN CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE PASSAGE OF HIS CAFE BILL 05/02/2006  DURBIN: CONGRESS SHOULD PASS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE MISSISSIPPI RIVER NAVIGATION AND ECOSYSTEM 04/27/2006  DURBIN APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY ANTITRUST ACT OF 2006 04/14/2006  DURBIN SAYS CONSUMERS CAN’T CATCH AN EASTER BREAK; RENEWS CALL FOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO PROVIDE RELIEF AT THE GAS PUMP 03/29/2006  DURBIN ASKS AMTRAK PRESIDENT TO JOIN STATE OF ILLINOIS IN EXPANDING AMTRAK ROUTES 03/16/2006  DURBIN PUSHES TO SAVE AMTRAK 02/24/2006  DURBIN STATEMENT ON UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT ATTENDANTS’ PENSION RATIFICATION 01/30/2006  DURBIN SAYS EXXON MOBIL'S WINDFALL PROFITS A VICTORY FOR SPECIAL INTERESTS OVER CONSUMERS 11/21/2005  DURBIN STATEMENT REGARDING DOT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR O’HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 11/18/2005  DURBIN: SENATE-HOUSE CONFERENCE APPROVES MORE THAN $187 MILLION IN TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING FUNDING FOR ILLINOIS 11/16/2005  DURBIN ASKS AMTRAK BOARD TO EXPLAIN THE DISMISSAL OF AMTRAK PRESIDENT AND CEO 11/13/2005  DURBIN STATEMENT ON UNITED AIRLINES SERVICE FROM ROCKFORD TO DENVER 11/12/2005  DURBIN ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BRIGHTON-BUNKER HILL ROAD 11/09/2005  DURBIN STATEMENT REGARDING DISMISSAL OF AMTRAK PRESIDENT 10/24/2005  DURBIN STATEMENT ON AMTRAK FUNDING FOR 2006 09/13/2005  DURBIN AND OBAMA ANNOUNCE $2.6 MILLION DOT GRANT FOR DECATUR AIRPORT 09/02/2005  DURBIN ANNOUNCES $6 MILLION FOR U.S. 67 BRIDGE IN BEARDSTOWN 08/25/2005  DURBIN STATEMENT REGARDING SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT GRANT AWARD TO ROCKFORD AIRPORT 08/10/2005  DURBIN STATEMENT REGARDING PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNING FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION BILL IN AURORA 08/08/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA ANNOUNCE $4 MILLION TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO I-57/64 08/05/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA, BEAN ANNOUNCE $10 MILLION FOR ROUTE 31 08/04/2005  DURBIN AND OBAMA ANNOUNCE $25 MILLION FOR WACKER DRIVE CONSTRUCTION 08/03/2005  DURBIN AND OBAMA ANNOUNCE $1 MILLION IN TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR NEAR WEST SUBURBS 08/03/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA AND LIPINSKI ANNOUNCE $3.2 MILLION FOR TRANSPORTATION RELATED IMPROVEMENTS AROUND BROOKFIELD ZOO 08/03/2005  DURBIN AND OBAMA ANNOUNCE $3 MILLION FOR SOUTH ARSENAL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS 08/03/2005  DURBIN AND OBAMA ANNOUNCE $1 MILLION FOR GRAND AVENUE UNDERPASS IN FRANKLIN PARK 08/02/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA AND EVANS ANNOUNCE $10 MILLION IN NEW TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR QUINCY 08/02/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA AND EVANS ANNOUNCE $20.75 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR QUAD CITIES AREA 08/02/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA AND MANZULLO ANNOUNCE $8.2 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR U.S. 20 IMPROVEMENTS 08/02/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA AND MANZULLO ANNOUNCE $15.6 MILLION IN FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR ROCKFORD AREA 08/02/2005  DURBIN AND OBAMA ANNOUNCE $3.6 MILLION IN TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR KANKAKEE / BOURBONNAIS / MANTENO AREA 08/01/2005  DURBIN/OBAMA ANNOUNCE $19 MILLION IN TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR SPRINGFIELD 08/01/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA AND EVANS ANNOUNCE $25 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ROUTE 51 EXPANSION 08/01/2005  DURBIN AND OBAMA ANNOUNCE $4 MILLION FOR NORMAL MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION CENTER 07/28/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA ANNOUNCE PROJECT MONEY THEY SECURED FOR ILLINOIS 07/21/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA: SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES MORE THAN $214 MILLION FOR ILLINOIS PROJECTS 07/15/2005  SENATE APPROVES DURBIN AMENDMENT TO DESIGNATE MASCOUTAH’S MIDAMERICA AIRPORT AS A U.S. PORT OF ENTRY 07/15/2005  SENATE PASSES HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS BILL 07/12/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA MEET WITH TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY TO DISCUSS ILLINOIS PRIORITIES 07/07/2005  DURBIN: ETHANOL AND E-85 TO BENEFIT FROM LEGISLATION PENDING IN CONGRESS 06/24/2005  JOINT STATEMENT BY U.S. SENATORS DURBIN AND OBAMA ON UNITED AIRLINES 06/13/2005  DURBIN, DEMOCRATS SET NEW NATIONAL PRIORITY FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE TO SECURE AMERICA 05/18/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA ANNOUNCE NEARLY $7 MILLION IN DOT GRANTS FOR ILLINOIS AIRPORTS 05/17/2005  DURBIN STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF THE HIGHWAY BILL 05/12/2005  DURBIN STATEMENT REGARDING AMTRAK 04/22/2005  DURBIN WELCOMES TEMPORARY GOVERNMENT EXEMPTION FOR CHICAGOLAND AREA TRAIN WHISTLE RULE 04/20/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA, COSTELLO ANNOUNCE NEARLY $500,000 IN DOT GRANTS FOR SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AIRPORT 04/19/2005  DURBIN, COLLEAGUES DRIVE EFFORT TO LOWER GAS PRICES FOR CONSUMERS 03/08/2005  DURBIN ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $81 MILLION IN DOT FUNDS FOR CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY 03/07/2005  DURBIN ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $17 MILLION IN DOT GRANTS FOR ILLINOIS AIRPORTS 03/01/2005  DURBIN, DEWINE INTRODUCE BILL TO PRESERVE HISTORIC PRESIDENTIAL SITES 02/19/2005  DURBIN ANNOUNCES NEARLY $7 MILLION IN DOT GRANTS FOR ILLINOIS AIRPORTS 02/15/2005  DURBIN STATEMENT REGARDING THE CONFIRMATION OF MICHAEL CHERTOFF AS HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY 02/14/2005  DURBIN STATEMENT REGARDING PRESIDENT BUSH’S AMTRAK PROPOSAL 02/07/2005  DURBIN ANNOUNCES NEARLY $4 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR GREATER ROCKFORD AIRPORT AUTHORITY 02/07/2005  DURBIN: PRESIDENT’S BUDGET REFLECTS “THE WRONG VALUES” FOR ILLINOIS AND AMERICA 02/01/2005  DURBIN, OBAMA: IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED TO PREVENT PURCHASE OF PILOT’S UNIFORMS BY CIVILLIANS 01/28/2005  DURBIN: CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT MUST WORK TOGETHER TO PASS HIGHWAY BILL THIS YEAR 01/12/2005  DURBIN STATEMENT REGARDING FAA ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR O’HARE MODERNIZATION 01/11/2005  DURBIN ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR RT. 51 EXPANSION [ Return to Previous Page ]