By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Fresh off a conference call with the U.S. Postal Service’s director of 2020 election mail, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said its recommendations for voting by mail are days ahead of Illinois law.

In Illinois, you must request a mail-in ballot no fewer than five days before the election, the completed ballot must be postmarked by Election Day, and it has two weeks to get to the election authorities.

“My recommendation to voters in Illinois,” Durbin told reporters Thursday, “if you want to be extremely safe in how you do this, request the ballot no later than Oct. 19 and return the ballot no later than Oct. 27. That, to me, is the bottom line of what the Postal Service is telling us, regardless of what the law says.”

And Durbin says the Postal Service’s proclamation that it is ready to handle the mail-in ballots overconfident and “whistling past the graveyard.” That’s why, he says, the USPS really needs the proposed $25 billion.

When it was pointed out U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) and Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) want to help USPS, Durbin says it’s because they are getting an earful from constituents.

To most citizens, Durbin says, involvement in the Postal Service goes far past the election; it’s medicine and payments by check.

Davis’ spokesman, Aaron DeGroot, refers to an Aug. 18 news release:

Ahead of legislative action in the U.S. House of Representatives on the United States Postal Service (USPS), U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) is reiterating his support for the men and women of the USPS and giving them the resources they need to do their jobs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Letter carriers, local postmasters, and other USPS employees do not get enough credit for the job they do under difficult circumstances, especially during this pandemic,” said Rep. Davis. “There’s more the federal government can do to support the employees and bolster the services of the USPS, including providing them additional funding, improving their cash flow, and maintaining postal services, particularly for rural areas. We need to do everything we can to make sure employees of the USPS have all the resources they need to do their jobs.”

Rep. Davis has been a strong supporter of additional federal assistance for the USPS. Back in early May, Rodney co-signed a letter sent to Republican leaders urging them to support the USPS in negotiations over COVID-19 relief legislation. The letter requested:

A “public service” appropriation of at least $25 billion to the Postal Service to alleviate some of the strain caused by the pandemic.

An authorization for a continued “public service” appropriation for the difference between USPS revenue and expenses for the duration of this public health crisis.

A mechanism to reimburse the Postal Service for any COVID-19 related leave pay provided by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127).

Ensure equal treatment for postal employees in any legislation that authorizes, and funds hazard pay for other front-line workers exposed to health risks related to the COVID-19 virus. Such legislation should cover postal workers, who face heightened exposure risks to the virus on a daily basis.

The letter closed by stating: “Millions of Americans depend on the Postal Service throughout their daily lives but especially during the coronavirus pandemic USPS is serving an important role. Any interruption to service could be detrimental not only to USPS but also to our constituents across the country.”

John Rauber, LaHood’s spokesman, also issued a release Aug. 18:

“The United States Postal Service provides critical services to constituents in Illinois’ 18th Congressional District, particularly in our rural communities and for veterans and senior citizens who need critical medications. I continue to support mail carriers and the essential work they do, including the need for six-day door delivery. COVID-19 has impacted nearly every aspect of our society, including our Postal Service and how Americans may choose to vote in this upcoming election. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Congress to ensure the forthcoming election is secure so that Illinoisans can confidently exercise their civic duty during this pandemic.

“I am pleased that the Postmaster General decided to delay operational changes until after the election to avoid any confusion or the appearance of an impact on election mail that has increased because of COVID-19.

“Illinoisans can safely vote in person on election day or during the early voting process if the proper safety protocols are followed. However, voters who choose to vote by mail because of the pandemic must have their ballots delivered in a timely manner by the USPS. The Postal Service should not be political, and while Democrats continue to use it to stoke fear and anger ahead of this election, I am confident in the integrity of our electoral process.”

Congressman LaHood has been a consistent supporter of the USPS since joining Congress while recognizing the need for reform to make the USPS a more financially sustainable organization. In May, Rep. LaHood signed a letter to Republican leadership in support of the United States Postal Service and requested additional appropriations to support their efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rep. LaHood is also a cosponsor of the following pieces of legislation:

H.R. 2382, the USPS Fairness Act – This legislation would repeal the requirement imposed by the United States Postal Services for prepayment of future postal service retirement benefits.

H.Res.54 – This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of its 6-day mail delivery service

H.Res.33 – This resolution expresses the sense of House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should remain an independent establishment of the federal government and not become privatized.

H.Res.23 – This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that United States Postal Service should continue door to door delivery for all business and residential customers

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]