Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bill Foster has announced that $151.3 million in grant funding from the Department of the Treasury will be awarded to the State of Illinois through the Hardest Hit Fund, a federal program that provides targeted aid to the states that were most severely impacted by the foreclosure crisis.

Washington, DC – On Friday, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) introduced a bill to designate the U.S. Post Office facility located at 525 N. Broadway in Aurora, Illinois, as the Kenneth M. Christy Post Office Building. The bill is co-sponsored by Congressman Rodney Davis (IL-13).

Ken Christy passed away suddenly on March 26, 2016. Christy spent over 35 years as a letter carrier for the Aurora Post Office, and was currently serving as Aurora Township Clerk, as well as the president of the Illinois State Association of Letter Carriers.

Washington, DC – In a letter to Transportation Secretary Foxx, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) called for the awarding of more transportation grants to Payer States.

Payer States receive less in federal funding than they pay out in federal taxes. Illinois, for example, faces an annual shortfall of $40 billion because of this problem.

Under current law, formulas used to award federal transportation funds disproportionately benefit states that pay less in federal taxes than Payer States like Illinois.

Washington, DC – On Tuesday, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) took to the floor of the House of Representatives to commemorate National Library Week, and to speak about the work being done by libraries across the country.

You can watch Congressman Foster's speech here.

Text of Foster's remarks is below:

I rise today to commemorate National Library Week – and to celebrate how local libraries continue to be a vital resource in communities across this nation.

Washington, DC – In a letter to Governor Rauner, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) and eight members of the Illinois congressional delegation called for immediate action to aide Illinois college students facing financial hardship due to the prolonged state budget impasse.

The letter calls on the governor to reconsider his decision to veto legislation that would have restored funding for the Monetary Assistance Program (MAP) – immediately helping thousands of students who rely on MAP grants to pursue their education.

Chicago, IL – On Thursday at the University of Chicago Law School, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) joined students, faculty, and other members of Congress, for a discussion with President Obama about the Supreme Court and our country's judicial system – including the need for the Senate to do its job and give the President's Supreme Court nominee a fair hearing.

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, March 23, 2016, Congressman Bill Foster spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives on the importance of strengthening the global nuclear security architecture.

Video of Foster’s speech can be found here.

Text of Foster’s remarks as prepared is below:

Mr. Speaker, as the only physicist remaining in the United States Congress, I feel a special responsibility to speak out on the importance of strengthening global nuclear security.

Washington, D.C. – In a letter to the leaders of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL), Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA), and 99 of their Democratic House Colleagues this week requested stronger federal funding to combat the opioid addiction epidemic in Fiscal Year 2017.