Darin McKay LaHood is a Republican U.S. Representative for Illinois's 16th Congressional District, which spans 21 counties across central and northwestern Illinois, including Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, Rockford, and Galena, serving over 725,000 constituents. Born July 5, 1968, and raised in Peoria, he was sworn into Congress on September 17, 2015, after a special election, previously representing the 18th District until redistricting in 2023. Notable achievements include serving as Chief Terrorism Prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice in Las Vegas , recognition for outstanding work in fighting terrorism by the DOJ and FBI, appointments to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party , and chairing the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Work and Welfare. A third-generation Peorian and avid runner who has completed five marathons, he was honored as a 40 Leaders Under Forty award winner and Edgar Fellow .

Education

LaHood graduated from Spalding Institute/Academy of Our Lady High School, earned a B.A. from Loras College, and received his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School.

Political Experience

Before Congress, LaHood served four years in the Illinois State Senate , advocating for transparency and ethics reforms. He spent over nine years as a state and federal prosecutor, including as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Las Vegas specializing in terrorism, narcotics, and felony immigration cases, and as an Assistant State's Attorney in Cook and Tazewell Counties; he later practiced law at Miller, Hall & Triggs in Peoria.