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Durbin, Duckworth: Republicans' So-Called 'Big Beautiful Bill’ Could Shutter 93 Nursing Homes In Illinois Alone

4 months ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today highlighted new findings that show President Trump’s and Republicans’ reconciliation bill puts 579 nursing homes across the country at risk of closure. Based on this data compiled by Brown University’s School of Public Health, and released by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act endangers the operations of 93 nursing homes in Illinois—all in order to provide hefty tax breaks for billionaires. The devastating cuts to nursing homes under this Republican legislation are in addition to the bill forcing 16 million Americans to lose their health insurance coverage, which also risks the closure of rural and safety net hospitals nationwide. “President Trump and congressional Republicans are pursuing legislation that rips health care

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Discover Dana Cattani's Handmade Ceramics At Art Fair

4 months ago
These are artists that will be featured at the upcoming Edwardsville Art Fair. The art fair is set for Sept. 26-28, 2025, at Edwardsville City Park. Artist #1 Artist Name: Dana Cattani Medium: Ceramics Artist Statement: " We are a husband and wife pottery team, each creating slab-built and sculpted art for the home. Our goal is to feature a range of pieces that appeal to all identities and ages at affordable prices." Artist #2 Artist Name: Mark Hurd Medium: Digital Artworks Artist Statement: " The technique that I call Graphic Impressionism captures the essence of a special place, a magical moment in time. My artwork is dominated by bright complementary layered colors. I focus on composition, the perfect angle, and the best light — whether it's a bright summer day, the magic hours of dusk, or a moonlit night." Artist #3 Artist Name: Cameron Smith Medium: Glass Artist Statement: Traditional handblown glass vessels, wall arrays, and seasonal objects

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After Trump's-Directed Bombings in Iran, Duckworth Votes to Block Further Use of Military Force Without Congressional Authorization

4 months ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee—issued the following statement today after voting for an Iran war powers resolution that would force the President to secure a declaration of war or authorization for use of military force from Congress to legally engage in a war against Iran. Senate Republicans blocked the resolution, which failed on a 53-47 vote. “Ever since Donald Trump illegally launched a military strike against Iran, one thing has remained clear: our troops are at greater risk today than they were before the attack. “Our servicemembers will always execute their orders and complete their missions to the highest standard like the experts they are. But rather than declaring ‘mission accomplished,’ the Trump Administration should be focused on protecting them and American personnel in the region and convincing Congress to authorize its use of military

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Durbin Statement On Supreme Court Decision Upholding Guaranteed Coverage Of Preventative Health Care

4 months ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of upholding the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force’s structure in Kennedy v. Braidwood Management : “This is a win for the Affordable Care Act and health care access for millions. “Anti-choice extremists didn’t like a task force’s recommendations that guaranteed access to free preventive services like PrEP, cancer screenings, STI screenings, and other vital services. So, they tried stealing control of it by challenging its structure. They failed. “When we passed the Affordable Care Act , Democrats in Congress paved the way for more than 40 million Americans to gain health coverage through newly established Exchanges and the expansion of the Medicaid program—leading to historic declines in the number of Americans without health insurance. But today

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Duckworth Leads Delegation of Illinois Members of Congress in Calling on IRS to Fix Erroneous Late Payment Notices

4 months ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led Illinois’s Congressional Democrats in demanding answers from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on why Illinoisans are receiving notices of late payment in error after filing—and paying—their taxes on time. Following reporting earlier this month revealing that Illinoisans were receiving late payment notices and penalties from the IRS even though they had already filed and paid their taxes, and were then unable to get answers or responses from the IRS about those notices and penalties, the lawmakers wrote to IRS Commissioner William Long to learn how many Illinoisans have been affected and how IRS staffing cuts have impacted the agency’s ability to properly function. “Over the last few weeks, we have heard from a number of Illinoisans that they are receiving late notices from your agency, despite previous confirmations of submission and payment,” the lawmakers wrote. “To make

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Durbin Statement On Supreme Court Decision To Limit Judges' Power To Issue Nationwide Injunctions, Allowing The Trump Administration’s Executive Order

4 months ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled against district courts’ nationwide preliminary injunctions blocking the Trump Administration’s executive order purporting to end birthright citizenship in Trump v. CASA : “The Supreme Court just issued a devastating blow to the separation of powers that is enshrined in our Constitution. Federal judges in multiple states have blocked the President’s order purporting to end birthright citizenship—including judges appointed by Republican presidents. And three separate appeals courts have refused to lift these injunctions. By issuing this ruling, the Supreme Court is stating that courts cannot block even the most lawless actions of the Trump Administration on a nationwide basis. “With this decision, millions of children could lose their fundamental rights while their lawyers

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Durbin Honors Fallen Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera

4 months ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today entered a tribute to fallen Chicago Police Department Officer Krystal Rivera into the congressional record. Officer Rivera was killed in the line of duty on June 5, 2025. She served at the Chicago Police Department for four years, and she was a mother to a 10-year-old daughter, Bella. “We know that our men and women in uniform are vital public servants. They shoulder an immense responsibility when protecting and safeguarding our communities… This is also why it is especially painful and tragic when one of our officers is lost in the line of duty,” Durbin wrote in his record statement. “It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I speak about the passing of one of Chicago’s own, Chicago Police Department Officer Krystal Rivera.” Durbin’s full tribute as entered into the congressional record is below: U.S. Senator Dick Durbin Congressional Record Statement on Passin

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Senator Erica Harriss Launches Re-Election Campaign, Vows to Keep Standing Up for Metro East Families

4 months ago
GLEN CARBON – With a pledge to continue standing up for local families, State Senator Erica Harriss (Glen Carbon) today announced her campaign for re-election in Illinois' 56th Senate District. “Metro East families are working harder than ever but still finding it tough to get ahead,” said Harriss. "Prices are up, taxes keep climbing, and families are feeling the squeeze. I'm running again because I believe we can change that. We can make life more affordable, more secure, and a little easier for everyday folks." Since taking office in 2022, Erica has pushed for real, practical solutions to help families and seniors make ends meet. From sponsoring legislation to cut taxes and lower utility costs to being a champion for affordable childcare, she’s been focused on making life better for the people she represents. Erica also led the charge on a first-of-its-kind, bipartisan law to help child survivors of human trafficking reclaim their lives and move forward. She’

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