The Republican State Convention held in Peoria over the weekend produced a platform that retains a committment to traditional marriage; meanwhile party leaders called for unity behind the November ticket, while rarely mentioning presumptive nominee Donald Trump.

LaHood, a Republican from Peoria, says an immediate next step is hiring local staff:

The district has been without representation in Congress since Republican Aaron Schock resigned at the end of March amid spending scandals.  The special general election pits Republican Darin LaHood against Democrat Rob Mellon, who won their respective special primaries in July.

Schock resigned in March after mounting scrutiny of his spending, including redecorating his office in the style of the estate in the television show "Downton Abbey.''

Anyone who forgot to register to vote beforehand will be able to do it that day. That's thanks to a law that was intended to be in place for the first time for next year's elections. McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael and others had asked legislators to delay the law until then. It never happened.