Dick Durbin: “I want to recognize the incredible partnership that made this possible: Stone Community Development Corporation, Lurie…”

The lack of community involvement and speed with which this project has moved forward raises questions about the role of private interests.

You can’t survive in politics unless you’re optimistic. You’ve got to believe that even though you face a setback or you don’t have all the laws you need, that tomorrow will be better.

To leave here without this being a law finalized to protect these young people … is painful, really painful. I don’t want them to feel like I’m abandoning them.

Changes of this magnitude with no discernible justification must be scrutinized.