16 Snapshots from 2023 in the 16th Congressional District

In 2023, I've been honored to begin representing the new 16th Congressional District of Illinois. With constituents in 21 counties covering central and northern Illinois, we've made it a priority to get into the community and discover what makes our state and region special. Over the course of the year we visited small businesses, community organizations, farms, factories, colleges, hospitals, energy facilities, and much more. To highlight an eventful year, I wanted to showcase 16 snapshots from the new 16th Congressional District! Happy New Year and see you in 2024!

In January, I made my first official visit to Galena to meet with small businesses, elected officials, and the Chamber of Commerce to learn about what's happening in the community and issues impacting the region.

Later in January, I visited the Rockford Airport to discuss the status of airport upgrades and what the future looks like for them.

In February, I spoke at Eureka College in honor of one of their most famous alumni, President Ronald Reagan. President Reagan’s legacy of civic leadership continues to be carried out through the Ronald W. Reagan Leadership Fellows and it's always a privilege to celebrate the incredible students at Eureka.

In March, I traveled to Morris in Grundy County to visit the LyondellBasell plant. They do a great job supporting their community by offering jobs and they are leaders in the low-carbon industry.

Farmers are a key economic driver in the 16th District. In April, I visited Brian Duncan's family farm to help plant. I appreciate all the family farmers who feed and fuel our country.

The Future Farmers of America (FFA) shape and educate the next generation of Illinois farmers. In May, I visited with the Livingston County FFA to check in on their projects and innovative work in agriculture.

In June, I toured the Byron Nuclear Plant. Nuclear energy helps support our economy in Illinois and it is an important emission-free energy resource, which is critical to our all-of-the-above energy approach. 

Each year, I am honored to nominate young men and women to attend our nation's military academies. In June, I hosted those students who were appointed to one of the service academies in our Peoria District Office.

One of my top priorities is providing high quality constituent services. In July and August, I was proud to join community leaders in Morris and Normal to open new Congressional Offices, which are open and accessible to all IL16 constituents. 

In September, I did a hard hat tour of the OSF's Cancer Institute in Peoria, which will make Peoria a hub for cancer research and treatment throughout our state and region.

Precision Planting's new facility in Morton will support hundreds of jobs in the community and I was grateful to visit in September.

My office was proud to secure a Community Funding Project award to support the new YMCA facility in Morris. I was honored to participate in a beam signing with local officials in October.

The Rockford Chamber of Commerce is an important advocate for local small businesses and I joined them in November to provide a Congressional update.

I am proud to champion legislation to strengthen the low income housing tax credit. In November, I was honored to break ground on the new Willis Senior Lofts project in Rochelle.

In December, I visited with the Little Learners and Birth to Five Council at the CTE Academy in Elizabeth to talk about their mission to improve child care and support families.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year! I look forward to seeing many of you in 2024.

Sincerely,

Darin LaHood
Member of Congress