I thought I’d publish a post (longer than I intended, actually) catching up on issues raised in recent posts:
* Seth Ben-Ezra has been maintaining a Google map listing the locations of violent crime and murder in Peoria. Keep up the good work. It’s citizen journalism in action. Many will disagree with his numbers and his [...]

This is the Los Angeles Times take on Bush’s visit to Peoria:
For the first time in 14 years, George W. Bush’s name is not on the ballot. Not in Texas. Not anywhere in the United States.
And, given President Bush’ low approval ratings, Republican John McCain might be forgiven if he hopes the president will stay [...]

This is Real Clear Politics’ take on the race:
Illinois 16: Republican Ray LaHood’s retirement from his Rockford-based district opens up a reliably GOP seat that Democrats may still try to play in. Former television reporter Colleen Callahan, the Democratic nominee, is getting some Netroots attention, and she raised $139,000 to keep $155,000 on hand. While [...]

From the Pork Alert Website:
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today released its preliminary analysis of the House version of the Fiscal 2009 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations Act. The top five porkers are CJS Appropriations Subcommittee member Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) with $9.95 million; CJS Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.) with $9.7 million; CJS [...]

Aaron Schock has come out of hiding and subjected himself to questioning from the press. Unfortunately, he made two mistakes:
In addition to fundraising, Shock said he continues to campaign throughout the 20-county 18th District, participate in parades, attend banquets and more. The state representative also has been in session in the House through May 31 [...]

From the State Journal Register:
Democratic candidate Colleen Callahan says she has raised about $250,000 so far for her 18th Congressional District campaign to succeed U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria.
Callahan, making her first run for elective office, spoke briefly Thursday about her fundraising efforts at a news conference at the AFL-CIO Building in Springfield, where state [...]

I’ve recently remarked to more than one person that with his son Darin running against Kevin Lyons for Peoria County State’s Attorney, Congressman Ray LaHood is going to have to do something especially nefarious to get any criticism from me. That’s how much I want Lyons out of office (and how much I think young [...]

Mrs. Ray LaHood is really racking up the credit card debt, apparently:
WASHINGTON - Members of Illinois’ congressional delegation claim assets and liabilities from $5,000 in lottery winnings to $15,000 in credit card debt and blind trusts worth millions in their latest financial disclosure statements.
—
The wife of retiring GOP Rep. Ray LaHood worked for Goodwill Industries [...]

The defeated U.S. Senate candidate thinks mighty highly of his litigious powers:
‘LaHood was the ‘Combine’s’ designated front-man to maintain control of the ‘honest graft’ generated by the party. But LaHood obviously had no taste for a knock down, drag out battle for the committeeman’s slot, so he quit. The battle continues.
Whatever, Andy. The windmills are [...]

Another benefit to the Journal Star’s new post-the-articles-on-as-they-come-in policy is that Bernie Schoenburg’s column and articles come in sooner. That includes this piece reporting that Peoria’s one and only congressman, Ray LaHood, decided to not run for Republican National Committeeman from Illinois. Instead, he’s going to visit Lebanon to help promote democracy there.
My two cents: [...]

Unless otherwise noted, all links via the Journal Star:

The Associated Press is reporting that U.S. Ray LaHood of Peoria was among a group of U.S. officials who attended the vote that elected Lebanon’s new president. The U.S. wasn’t happy that this particular guy was elected, as it was part of a deal brokered by Iran.
Loucks [...]

News flash: Congress is getting ready to increase the amount going to food stamps:
A farm bill is working its way through Congress that has a provision to raise the food stamp benefits and nutrition programs by .3 billion over a five-year period. Food stamps and the nutrition program now represent 70 percent of the farm [...]

A press release from U.S. Rep Ray LaHood’s office, via the Illinois Channel:
WASHINGTON, DC (April 30)—By a vote of 291-117, the U.S. House last night approved legislation authored by Congressman Ray LaHood (R-Peoria) which would establish the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area in Illinois. LaHood represents the same 11 counties which Abraham Lincoln represented [...]

I just received an invitation to a party for Darin LaHood, the former federal mob prosecutor who’s running for Peoria County state’s attorney.
The invite lists eight members of the Peoria city council who have endorsed LaHood, who is the son of retiring Congressman Ray LaHood (R-18th). These include Mayor Jim Ardis; at-Large council members Eric [...]

Is it really big news that Republican politicians (or those hoping to run for office again in he future) have endorsed GOP wünderkind Aaron Schock? Current 18th District Congressman Ray LaHood attended a press conference to officially endorse Schock, as did LaHood’s predecessor, Bob Michel. Also tossing their support to Schock were John Morris and [...]