Dear John,

Over the past seven days, I had a great week in Illinois’ 16th Congressional District! I made 19 stops in nine counties, including some in Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, McHenry, Ogle, Lee, Peoria, Tazewell, and McLean. It was great hearing from first responders, visiting with local business leaders, talking with advocacy groups, and listening to constituents.

My Week in Illinois' 16th Congressional District

To kick off the week, I started at Highland Community College in Freeport to meet with President Christina Kuberski and tour the campus. Community colleges are critical to creating a strong workforce, especially in fields such as manufacturing and nursing. Thank you to President Kuberski for having me! 

Illinois is filled with rich, incredible history. It was great to visit the Galena History Museum to learn more about the historical society’s plans. I appreciate all the work Tessa Flak and Doug Hilgendorf do to preserve our country's and community's history.

It is an honor to represent the city of Pekin in Congress! Pekin is a place where neighbors look out for each other, support their local businesses, and embrace community spirit. It was a privilege to attend Pekin’s State of the City address to present Mayor Mary Burress, Chamber CEO Amy McCoy, and Bicentennial Commission member Tiffany White copies of the Congressional Record I submitted to honor the city's bicentennial.

During my time in Congress, I helped secure funding for the Veterans Drive Extension Engineering Project and the Furrow Road Bridge Replacement. These projects will support economic development in Illinois' 16th Congressional District.

I enjoyed meeting with Morton Chamber of Commerce CEO Kim Litwiller to discuss how she’s settling into her new role and her upcoming goals for the city. I appreciate all the work she does to support local businesses!

I stopped by Eli’s Coffee Shop in Morton to meet with Mayor Jeff Kaufman to discuss the upcoming economic development plans for the city. While I was there, I had the opportunity to meet with the owners of the coffee shop, Rachel and Weston Berchtold, and hear how they have been able to grow their business!

Illinois’ 16th Congressional District is one of the largest agriculture districts in the country. It was great to hear from members of the Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau about how Congress can advance their priorities for agriculture and tax policy in the 119th Congress. I always appreciate hearing directly from our farmers!

Our air traffic controllers are critical to the safety of flight passengers and managing the flight congestion at our airports. It was great to get a tour of Rockford Airport and receive an update on their plans to build a new control tower and modernize radar systems. This construction will provide a much-needed upgrade for our passengers and the efficiency of the airport.

The Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center in Dixon plays a critical role in our community to reduce child abuse. I am grateful for the tireless work of Deputy Chief Richards, Jessica Cash, and all the staff at the center. It was amazing to tour the facility and learn about their efforts to support those who have experienced trauma.

This week, Chief Joe Corl invited me to Cherry Valley Fire Department’s Training Center to demonstrate how they handle emergency situations. I thank them for going above and beyond to ensure our safety!

I had a great tour of the new McHenry County Regional Training Center and Firearms Facility. It was incredible to witness the collaboration of our community leaders to ensure our police officers have the best resources and training available.

On Monday, I was in Machesney Park to tour Hennig Power’s expansion project. This development will provide new, high-paying jobs for Illinois families. In Congress, I will always advocate for pro-growth policies that allow businesses and families in Illinois’ 16th Congressional District to thrive.

It was great to sit down with the Winnebago County Medical Society to get their input on healthcare policy. I appreciate their thoughts and taking the time to meet with me as House Republicans work to expand access to safe and reliable healthcare for rural Americans.

Many thanks to Amanda Mehl and all the staff at Boone County Health Department for the phenomenal services they provide. I look forward to visiting their new public health building when it is complete!

The Belvidere YMCA is an incredible asset to the city. It was great to stop by and learn more about how their programs support families and promote community wellness. 

Celebrating National Catholic Schools Week

Last week was National Catholic Schools Week. I was proud to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution with Representative Richard Neal and Senators Eric Schmitt and Tim Kaine. As a proud graduate of Catholic schools, I thank our teachers for their commitment to our students' futures and their Catholic education.

Read more here: LaHood, Neal, Schmitt, Kaine Reintroduce Bipartisan Resolution in Support of National Catholic Schools Week

One More Thing: Recognizing the Victims of the D.C. Plane Collision

Last week, the nation watched in horror as a passenger aircraft and military helicopter collided in Washington, D.C. My thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the victims. I thank the first responders for running towards danger and for their tireless work during the recovery efforts.

It is a privilege to serve the constituents of Illinois' 16th Congressional District. Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. Please do not hesitate to reach out to one of my offices if we can ever be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Darin LaHood
Member of Congress