During a conference call with reporters Saturday, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) said 6 years of government funding for a children's health insurance program (CHIP) should have been enough to encourage bipartisan support, though it did not get that in either chamber.

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.''