Wednesday, January 16, 2013
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin touts his “Know Before You Owe” bill, which would require all colleges and universities to provide the type of financial aid counseling Elgin Community College has to curb student debt in District 509, which includes St. Charles.
Elgin Community College’s efforts to limit the debt load of its students won praise Friday from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. The college district, which includes St. Charles, already has a six-year head start on a bill he has introduced aimed at curbing the devastating impact student loans can have. Durbin has decried the nation’s mounting debt for student loans, which has grown to $1 trillion and has seen the greatest acceleration among those attending for-profit schools, many of which provide their graduates with degrees that are virtually worthless. While not minimizing personal accountability, Durbin said young, inexperienced adults are being exploited, pressed into making student loan decisions that will affect them for much of the rest of …
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
While visiting Fox Valley, senator says gun control is only part of the solution to mass violence.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said on Friday that he would rather see Congress arrive at a “sensible solution” on curbing gun violence than see the president issue some kind of executive order attempting to remedy the problem. Still, in light of the power wielded by the NRA and the gun industry, which many congressmen will not stand up to, Durbin said he would support President Barack Obama if he does issue executive orders in an attempt to rein in gun violence. “Whatever it takes to keep our streets and schools safe, I’ll support,” he said. “But I hope that we could do it in the the normal congressional process,” he added. “I know that it’s tough. I know the politics on this issue very, very well, and I know some of my colleagues are not prepared…
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Here is a wrap-up of some of the latest political news.
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Sunday, April 8, 2012
U.S. Dick Durbin (D-IL) has introduced legislation that would allow private student loan debt to be discharged in bankruptcy. The bill does not include federal student loans. This may be a boon to some senior citizens who are more concerned about having money for student loans rather than for golf or cruises. These senior citizens are still paying their college loans; others are paying costs incurred when they returned to college later in life; and others are strapped with loans they co-signed for their children who cannot, in this job market, afford to pay their loans. The Washington Post reported that new research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that Americans 60 and older still owe about $36 billion in student loans, …
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Here is a wrap-up of some of the latest political news.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Illinois House of Representatives has voted to dismantle the scandal-ridden legislative college scholarship program, and the program’s most ardent supporter, Senate President John Cullerton, says he will not stand in the way of a vote on doing away with the scholarships. “Like any other bill, it will go through the normal committee process and there will be an opportunity for a vote,” Cullerton spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon told Progress Illinois. Phelon’s comments follow Chicago Tribune reports that the Senate President may work to prevent the bill from getting a vote. The Illinois House passed legislation 79-25 March 21 to ban legislative scholarships. Gov. Pat Quinn has spoken against the scholarships. And, The State journal-Register …
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Here is a roundup of political news.
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Sunday, March 11, 2012
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin voted with 50 other senators March 1 to reject 51 to 48 a controversial amendment sponsored by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) that would have overridden the Obama Administration's new contraception coverage rule and allowed any employer to refuse to cover any kind of health care service by citing "moral reasons." Three Democrats, Sens. Bob Casey (Pa.), Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Ben Nelson (Neb.) voted with Republicans in favor of the amendment. Only one Republican, Sen. Olympia Snowe (Maine), voted against it, according to Huffington Post. Illinois’ Republican senator, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, did not vote. He is still hospitalized after suffering a stroke. Although Obama's contraception mandate includes a broad exemption for …
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Here is a wrap-up of area political news.
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Sunday, February 26, 2012
Prison closures, layoffs and cutbacks to health care for the poor are part of the budget proposal Gov. Pat Quinn released Wednesday, according to the Chicago Tribune. Hultgren Supports McConnaughay Randy Hultgren, Republican congressman from the 14th District, which includes the far western suburbs, has endorsed Karen McConnaughay, who is seeking the Republican nomination in the 33rd State Senate District race, Patch reported. Durbin a Co-chair of Obama’s Re-election Effort U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin is one of 35 national co-chairs named to President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign, according to the Washington Post. Obama’s co-chairs include elected officials, campaign volunteers and a few celebrities. Quinn Says He is Not Sure About …
Patrick Shane
10:34 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Student debt is stunting the growth of the economy. Student loans have increased by 275% over past decade. As the next generation graduates from college, they are plagued by insurmountable debt that places demands on their income, limiting their ability to spend their earnings in ways that stimulate the economy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRA9ndc1pCM more ›