Politics: LaHood raises more than $85,000 for state’s attorney race
From a press release:
DARIN LAHOOD CAMPAIGN HAS RAISED OVER $85,000 FOR PEORIA COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY RACE
Highly successful four months of fundraising garners support from hundreds of local citizens
(Peoria, IL)-Darin LaHood, a Peoria attorney and former Federal and State prosecutor, announced today that “Citizens for Darin LaHood” has raised over $66,000 in cash contributions and $20,000 in in-kind donations in his bid for the office of Peoria County State’s Attorney.
This week LaHood’s campaign filed the required semi-annual (July-December 2007) financial report with the State Board of Elections showing the $85,000 figure. LaHood, who formally announced his candidacy on October 5, 2007, was impressively able to raise these campaign funds in less than four months. LaHood received his contributions and donations from over 400 individuals and families.
“Citizens have told me they like the aggressive approach I have proposed for tackling our City’s and County’s crime problems and making our community safer. Voters understand that it will take significant resources to win this race and they have affirmed their support by contributing financially to my campaign” “The citizens of Peoria County are not satisfied with having the highest crime rate in the State and they want our crime issues addressed by new leadership in the State’s Attorney’s office”
LaHood stated:
“As the challenger in this race I plan to run a very aggressive, grass-roots campaign to take on a twenty-year entrenched incumbent,” LaHood stated, “and I believe these fundraising figures demonstrate the strong support my campaign has with area residents. I am very proud that the citizens of Peoria County have generously opened their wallets in support of my message of change.”
LaHood’s campaign continues to stress that he would bring his years as a U.S. Justice Department and State of Illinois prosecutor, his extensive courtroom experience, and his background in public service to the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s office to make it more effective in fighting crime.
LaHood has campaigned on his five-point crime-fighting plan that he plans to implement when elected State’s Attorney. The plan calls for 1) Evaluating the entire Plea Agreement system; 2) Creating a Community Prosecution Program; 3) Establishing a Violent Crime and Gangs Unit within the State’s Attorney’s Office; 4) A commitment to be an active member of the City of Peoria’s Crime Task Force; and 5) Improving and re-establishing a working relationship with the citizens in our African-American Community.
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 
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