Durbin, Duckworth: It’s a long time coming for Pruitt’s departure as EPA chief

Posted on July 5, 2018

*U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth say U.S. EPA chief Scott Pruitt should have resigned months ago. (Facebook/Dick Durbin)*

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois’ two U.S. Senators, both Democrats, agreed on Thursday that Scott Pruitt’s resignation as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator should have happened long ago.

Sen. Dick Durbin, second in command among Senate Democrats, said on his Twitter account that Pruitt has “made a mess of the environment and a mockery of ethical conduct.”

Sen.Tammy Duckworth put out a news releasing saying it’s clear Pruitt “abused the public trust by using his government position to finance his lavish lifestyle and the President should have asked for his resignation months ago.”

Duckworth noted she voted against Pruitt’s nomination to be EPA’s chief last year, called for Pruitt’s resignation or firing in April, and was among 165 members of Congress introducing a resolution calling for Pruitt’s departure.

Central Illinois Republican Congressmen Rodney Davis, Darin LaHood, and Adam Kinzinger offered no comment on social media, nor did they put out a news release Thursday about Pruitt’s departure.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…