U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s reelection campaign is releasing a new television advertisement highlighting Durbin’s efforts to provide rural fire and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies the critical funding they need to serve their communities.
Durbin’s legislation, the SIREN Act, authorized new funding for a federal grant program that supports rural EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff and purchasing equipment—for everything from opioid overdose treatment drug Naloxone and first aid kits, to power stretchers and new ambulances. The bipartisan bill was enacted into law as part of the 2018 Farm Bill.
“Now more than ever, we’ve got to stand up and support our first responders–and make sure our emergency services in rural Illinois have the resources they need,” said Durbin. “The SIREN Act helps firefighters and EMTs–who are struggling to keep up with COVID but also other issues like the opioid epidemic and the aging population in rural America. I’m proud to continue the fight to strengthen rural healthcare and emergency response.”
Local communities in Illinois are already taking advantage of the new grant program. The Ambulance & Fire Protection District of Amboy, Illinois was recently awarded $120,000 in funding, which they will use to train new EMTs and paramedics, and train their existing staff on telehealth for opioid care. The agency provides EMS services for a 200 square mile area in Lee County.
That’s a solid ad. This is a great example that, despite all of the noise of politics, there are important things an elected official can do to help communities in tangible, meaningful ways.
It’s not sexy, it’s just someone doing his job without pretense or much fanfare. He’s in the minority party yet can still get things done for Illinois, which is a rare skill these days.
It’s classic Durbin and that’s why this ad will work in Chicago or any media market in the state. It’s not about rural Illinois per se, it’s about listening to people and solving problems. I think that’s a big part of the Durbin brand.
A. I think this should be aired in Chicagoland as well to show what it looks like to have leadership that represents all corners of this diverse state.
Simple message - “I had a need for my community” My Senator helped fix it.
The finer details of the add…
The speaker is from Nauvoo - but Durbin is holding an Amboy firemans hat - and the EMS bus is from New Berlin.
Looks like the video over all is fresh of the ambulance, drone shot is of corn and soybean fields nearing harvest. That part I like. Just not some stock footage from May or June.
“Politician is pro-firefighter” ain’t quite “the audacity of hope,” so I can’t justify giving it an A+. It’s definitely effective in that its positive tone might stand apart from the other negative noise to which we’ve all grown so accustomed. Also effective in that it demonstrates what kinds of tangible things a Senator can accomplish on Capitol Hill — something that can easily become drowned out in today’s cable news environment.
- Unconventionalwisdom - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 2:13 pm:
An effective ‘feel good’ ad that really does not speak to major issues such as economic development, taxes, immigration, etc.
Really like that firefighter’s voice as a narrator. Think it’s better than the actual voice-over artist’s at the end of the ad.
“A senator for times like these” is a good tagline too.
Wonder if this will get into my TV market’s rotation soon. Only other Durbin ad I have seen this cycle was in the last week or so with the brew-pub guy who is pro-Durbin. That commercial always seems to come on right before or after the anti-fair tax ad with a different restaurant owner.
A+. I spent 10 years as a Volunteer Firefighter in a small department down in the Metro East area. We had very little money and answered a lot of calls. It would’ve been great to have the help of Senator Durbin back then. This shows he’s not just a big city guy and helping those in the small towns who can use the funds.
Wow. Am I too accustomed to negative advertising? That was one of the best positive, 30 second ads I’ve seen in… ever…? Finding something to nitpick is difficult.
I don’t like Durbin, haven’t for many, many years (it’s personal and political), so I find it hard to say anything nice about him. But he did deliver in this case, and his people know how to produce good ads.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 1:31 pm:
That’s a solid ad. This is a great example that, despite all of the noise of politics, there are important things an elected official can do to help communities in tangible, meaningful ways.
It’s not sexy, it’s just someone doing his job without pretense or much fanfare. He’s in the minority party yet can still get things done for Illinois, which is a rare skill these days.
It’s classic Durbin and that’s why this ad will work in Chicago or any media market in the state. It’s not about rural Illinois per se, it’s about listening to people and solving problems. I think that’s a big part of the Durbin brand.
- Imaginary brass rings - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 1:31 pm:
B+/a. Its just refreshing to see a positive sometimes. Sidenote, has his opponent run any ads? I’ve yet to see one.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 1:32 pm:
I give the Ad an A. He’s showing he’s senator to all of Illinois.
- NIU Grad - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 1:35 pm:
A. I think this should be aired in Chicagoland as well to show what it looks like to have leadership that represents all corners of this diverse state.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 1:48 pm:
A - works upstate/downstate.
Simple message - “I had a need for my community” My Senator helped fix it.
The finer details of the add…
The speaker is from Nauvoo - but Durbin is holding an Amboy firemans hat - and the EMS bus is from New Berlin.
Looks like the video over all is fresh of the ambulance, drone shot is of corn and soybean fields nearing harvest. That part I like. Just not some stock footage from May or June.
- Anyone Remember - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 2:00 pm:
Homerun.
A reminder that, party affiliation aside, Illinoisans are in this together.
- Sensitive Nancy - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 2:01 pm:
B-
“Politician is pro-firefighter” ain’t quite “the audacity of hope,” so I can’t justify giving it an A+. It’s definitely effective in that its positive tone might stand apart from the other negative noise to which we’ve all grown so accustomed. Also effective in that it demonstrates what kinds of tangible things a Senator can accomplish on Capitol Hill — something that can easily become drowned out in today’s cable news environment.
- Unconventionalwisdom - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 2:13 pm:
An effective ‘feel good’ ad that really does not speak to major issues such as economic development, taxes, immigration, etc.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 2:16 pm:
A+
Really like that firefighter’s voice as a narrator. Think it’s better than the actual voice-over artist’s at the end of the ad.
“A senator for times like these” is a good tagline too.
Wonder if this will get into my TV market’s rotation soon. Only other Durbin ad I have seen this cycle was in the last week or so with the brew-pub guy who is pro-Durbin. That commercial always seems to come on right before or after the anti-fair tax ad with a different restaurant owner.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 2:21 pm:
A+ only we could do more…very nice add. Will bring some relief from all negatives
- Scott Cross for President - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 2:33 pm:
A+. Like the brew pub small biz owner, the firefighter tells you Durbin delivers for Illinoisans.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 4:11 pm:
It’s an “A”
Short, simple, sweet, first responder, solved a constituent problem, “here for us”
Textbook.
- Club J - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 4:16 pm:
A+. I spent 10 years as a Volunteer Firefighter in a small department down in the Metro East area. We had very little money and answered a lot of calls. It would’ve been great to have the help of Senator Durbin back then. This shows he’s not just a big city guy and helping those in the small towns who can use the funds.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 4:51 pm:
Wow. Am I too accustomed to negative advertising? That was one of the best positive, 30 second ads I’ve seen in… ever…? Finding something to nitpick is difficult.
- Chris Waller - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 7:04 pm:
Great Ad. It affects everyday people.
Perfect example of: “All Politics Is Local”.
- RNUG - Thursday, Oct 8, 20 @ 10:32 pm:
I don’t like Durbin, haven’t for many, many years (it’s personal and political), so I find it hard to say anything nice about him. But he did deliver in this case, and his people know how to produce good ads.
- Saluki Babe - Friday, Oct 9, 20 @ 3:17 am:
Dick Durbin is such a great guy and I am proud to call him my Senator.