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Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock Resigns

Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock was first elected to serve the 18th District in 2009

Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) announced his last day in office will be March 31. Schock has been making headlines recently over concerns his office misspent taxpayer funds.

Schock was in Macomb last Friday to meet with local business and government leaders as well as Western Illinois University’s School of Agriculture.

He said he had hired an independent group to comb through his office’s finances and make recommendations.

“I do my best to represent the district and make decisions that I think are in the best interest of my district whether it be how I get around and travel and make sure I can get to as many places as possible when I’m back in the district. But I take my compliance obligations very seriously," Schock said.

Schock issued the following statement:

Today, I am announcing my resignation as a Member of the United States House of Representatives effective March 31st. I do this with a heavy heart. Serving the people of the 18th District is the highest and greatest honor I have had in my life. I thank them for their faith in electing me and letting me represent their interests in Washington. I have given them my all over the last six years. I have traveled to all corners of the District to meet with the people I’ve been fortunate to be able to call my friends and neighbors. But the constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself. I have always sought to do what’s best for my constituents and I thank them for the opportunity to serve.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said in a statement that the allegations against Schock are serious and they raise questions about his spending of official funds and campaign funds.

Durbin went on to say Schock's resignation "came as a surprise and reflects the gravity of his situation."

Republican Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner had little to say about Schock's resignation.

"I don't know all the facts. It's a very sad day for Illinois. It's a very unfortunate situation. I've heard a little bit in the press and read a few of the articles about what's going on. It's a very sad day in Illinois," Rauner said."

The governor will have to call a special election for the seat within five days of Schock leaving office. Dr. Keith Boeckelman, with WIU's political science department said according to Illinois law the special election will need to be held by the end of July.

 

 

Emily Boyer is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.