Dear John,

In this week's newsletter, meeting with veterans on the Greater Peoria Honor flight, eliminating tax burdens for Americans, and my stops throughout Illinois’ 16th Congressional District. If you need help with federal agencies, please reach out to one of my offices listed at the bottom of the newsletter.

Welcoming the Greater Peoria Honor Flight to D.C.

I had the privilege of meeting some of our veterans from the 16th Congressional District on the Greater Peoria Honor Flight!

Their bravery and service to our country continues to inspire all of us. I thank them for answering the call of duty and defending the freedoms we enjoy today.

Visiting the Rockford Airport

Last week, it was great meeting with Zack Oakley and others at the Rockford Airport (RFD) to discuss their plans to upgrade and expand the facility.

RFD Airport is a major connection point for the Rockford area and I look forward to seeing their continued success and growth!

Eliminating Tax Filing Burdens

Congress must make tax filing as simple as possible for the American people.

I thank my colleagues for supporting my legislation, the Electronic Filing and Payment Fairness Act. This commonsense bill modernizes the IRS and makes it easier for 90 percent of taxpayers who file their taxes electronically.

Thanking the Pecatonica American Legion for 100 Years of Service

I had the opportunity to visit the Pecatonica American Legion! I want to thank Commander Marty Stoddard for inviting me to talk about the positive impact veterans and the Legion have on our community.

For 100 years, Post 197 has faithfully supported our veterans. I was honored to present them with a letter recognizing their work.

Restoring American Peace Through Strength

The House Intelligence Committee’s hearing made it clear, the US must be vigilant of the growing threats posed by our foreign adversaries. 
 
Finally, after four years of weak leadership, President Trump is restoring American peace through strength to bolster U.S. national security.

Watch my full interview with Tony Perkins below:

Preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 brings tremendous opportunities to the United States and allows us to showcase our country to millions of people around the world. An event of this size requires detailed coordination between federal, state, and local agencies to ensure the success and safety of the event.

President Trump’s White House Task Force for the FIFA World Cup 2026 does just that. I penned an op-ed that was published in Soccer America highlighting the important role the Task Force will play in bringing safety and security to the largest sporting event in history.

Read my op-ed here: White House Task Force will bring safety and security to FIFA World Cup 2026

There is a rush of excitement for the game of soccer. It was great to be with the co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Soccer Caucus to celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2026!

The World Cup will have a lasting impact on the US. We will continue working to make sure this historic sporting event is a huge success for our country.

Supporting Small Businesses 

Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy.

I am proud to reintroduce the Small Business Tax Fairness and Compliance Act with Congresswoman Suzan DelBene to level the playing field for beauty salons who rely on tips for a large portion of their income. This commonsense legislation will support jobs in central and northwestern Illinois.

Read more here: LaHood, DelBene Reintroduce the Small Business Tax Fairness and Compliance Simplification Act

One More Thing: Honoring an American Hero

The remains of Pfc. Robert Lee Bryant, who was killed in Italy during WWII, were identified last year.

After 81 years, it’s wonderful to welcome this fallen hero home to Bloomington. I appreciate the Bloomington Police Department and the Normal Police Department for giving Pfc. Bryant a proper homecoming.

Read more here: Returning soldier funeral procession makes its way through McLean County

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