U.S. Rep. Schock Resigns In Wake of Ethical Questions

Written by David E. Smith

U.S. Representative Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) announced Tuesday that he would be resigning from Congress at the end of the month in the wake of six weeks of being peppered with questions regarding his lavish spending — including tens of thousands of dollars in mileage reimbursements he received for his personal vehicle.

Schock issued this statement:

“Today, I am announcing my resignation as a Member of the United States House of Representatives effective March 31st.

“I do this with a heavy heart. Serving the people of the 18th District is the highest and greatest honor I have had in my life. I thank them for their faith in electing me and letting me represent their interests in Washington. I have given them my all over the last six years. I have traveled to all corners of the District to meet with the people I’ve been fortunate to be able to call my friends and neighbors.

“But the constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself.

“I have always sought to do what’s best for my constituents and I thank them for the opportunity to serve.”

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, by stepping down, “Schock ends an Office of Congressional Ethics inquiry and what was likely to be a probe by the House Ethics Committee.” However, it “does not automatically shut off inquiries from the Federal Election Commission or the Justice Department.”

The ethical and legal questions began when The Washington Post reported that Schock’s office in Washington D.C. was decorated to resemble the red room in the PBS series Downton Abbey. Later, it was learned that Schock billed taxpayers and his campaign thousands for private flights or trips taken on planes owned by donors.

Other media sources also investigated Shock’s spending habits. An article in the USA Today reported that Schock had probably spent about $100,000 of taxpayer money on his office — and that was prior to the ruby-red “Downton Abbey” makeover that kicked up a fuss.

This resignation will leave Illinois’ 18th Congressional District Peoria without a representative in Washington D.C. for several months until a special election can be called. This area includes Lincoln, Jacksonville, Quincy and Macomb, as well as portions of Peoria, Bloomington/Normal, and Springfield.