Politics: McConoughey to maintain offices
Via a press release:
Springfield, IL- Jim McConoughey, candidate for the Republican nomination to succeed Congressman Ray LaHood in the 18th Congressional District, announced today that, if elected, he will keep open the District Offices LaHood currently utilizes to deliver constituent services to the public.
“We have an amazing tradition of service in the 18th, dating back to Everett Dirksen, Bob Michel and currently with Congressman LaHood,” McConoughey said. “That tradition includes the constituent services Ray provides through his district offices in Springfield, Jacksonville and Peoria. The old saying, “…if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…” seems fitting here, and I cannot think of a better way to honor Ray’s service to the 18th District than to do my best to carry on that tradition of excellent constituent services to the people across our part of Central Illinois.”
In addition to LaHood’ Capitol Hill Office, he currently has offices located on Montvale Drive in Springfield, in downtown Jacksonville and at the Federal Building in Peoria.
“Access to their congressman is one of the most important issues to residents of the 18th District,” McConoughey continued. “As I’ve traveled all twenty counties in the 18th, what many people tell me is that they want their next congressman to be as accessible and helpful as Ray has been over the years. By committing to carrying on that great tradition of constituent service, I’m speaking directly to them today. In addition to my full-time offices, I will establish a program offering regular Mobile Office Hours in other communities throughout the District.”
Some other tools McConoughey will use to best serve the public include an accessible, informative Congressional web program, Telephone Town Hall meetings with constituents and a staff person dedicated to fill the role of Economic Development Coordinator.
“As a businessman and economic development advocate with 26 years of experience, I know the importance of creating and sustaining jobs in all our communities – including small towns and rural areas,” McConoughey added. “For that reason, I intend to have an Economic Development Coordinator on my staff dedicated to nothing but working with individual communities to foster economic development and assist in anyway I can as a Congressman.”
“I also see the growing role of cyberspace in delivering constituent services,” McConoughey said. “I’m one of only two candidates in this race with an active, working website, and, I will take full advantage of today’s technology to most efficiently serve the residents of the 18th . ”
McConoughey concluded by saying that highlighting exactly how you’re going to serve the public is important.
“I am committing to the people that, if they send me to Congress, they will continue to get the high quality of constituent service they have come to expect,” said McConoughey. “Voters in the 18th can be certain that if they elect me, the access they are accustomed to in Peoria, Springfield and Jacksonville will remain, I will assign staff to focus on economic development in their community, and I will offer the most up-to-date technology possible to deliver constituent services. To this point, I am the only candidate that has made this commitment to the people of the 18th District.”
Jim McConoughey is a Peoria Republican seeking the nomination on February 5th of 2008. The nominee will face a Democrat in November to determine who succeeds Congressman Ray LaHood. McConoughey was born and raised on a farm and has spent a 26-year career in business, economic development and public service. He is currently President of the Peoria-based Heartland Partnership. He and his wife, Gina, have two children, Elizabeth and Spencer, and reside in Dunlap.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
Interesting way to create news as some insiders are starting to question Schock’s failure to provide an active and useful web presence for the campaign. It’s also kind of funny that he points out his “26 year career in …”. Just a reminder for every time the 26 year old’s age is brought up. That’s classic.
Absolutely hilarious. Isn’t he 39?! 26 years of experience?!!?! When I was 13 I was trying to figure out how to do my algebra homework and what type of candy to get at grade school lunch. It’s one thing to try to boost yourself up, but it is another to be completely ridiculous to the point of absurdity. Big Mac has zero chance. This is a two man race between people with political experience – Aaron Schock(3 years as state rep) and John Morris(8 years on city council).
nealy,
Get your facts straight Jim is late 40’s Morris is the one that is 39. Before you go making ignorant comments that make you look ridiculous make sure you can back them up first.
per his website, Jim McC is 46, not in his LATE 40’s as ascerbicly (sp?) claimed by 11Bravo. That would make him a more respectable 20 at the time claimed. His resume shows the following:
“After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University, he joined a real estate development company where he built, financed and syndicated hotels in the eastern United States.” IF he graduated early or IF he began working before graduation or IF he merely puffs by a year or so, the timeframe works out. If the use of 26 is used to illustrate a point, even if not totally accurate, then it is indeed very clever. And does it really matte whether he has been a businessman for 26 years or 24 years? Aside from being scrupulously honest and accurate I mean.
Also, I’d like to know if Ray supports this move (maintaining offices). Its almost as if Jim McC is accepting an endorsement that hasn’t been given. Since John opened his campaign office just down the street from Ray’s so that the public would naturally make the connection, this is an even more compelling attempt to claim Ray’s mantle.
Speaking of Schock’s website, what’s up over there? Not even a space-holder page right now. Are they getting ready to launch or did somebody manage to buy their domain name?!