Schock To Resign From Congress

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Embroiled in a growing scandal over how he has spent taxpayer and campaign funds, U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock has announced he is stepping down from Congress at the end of the month.

The four-term Peoria Republican has been dogged by questions about his use of taxpayer dollars and campaign cash, and said they have become a distraction.

"Today, I am announcing my resignation as a Member of the United States House of Representatives effective March 31st," Schock said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. "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."

Last month, a photo of a $40,000 "Downton Abbey" redo of his Capitol Hill office led to an ethics charge by an independent group.

That was followed by revelations that he billed taxpayers $1,200 for a charter flight to a Bears game at Soldier Field, which he repaid once word of it got out. But there was another $14,000 in private flights last fall on top of $40,000 worth of travel on planes owned by campaign donors.

"The constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficultfor me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself," Schock said. "I have always sought to do what's best for my constituents and I thank them for the opportunity to serve."

Schock has represented the 18th District -- which includes parts of Peoria, Springfield, and Bloomington -- since 2009.

Gov. Bruce Rauner called Schock's resignation "a sad day for the people of Illinois and the 18th District."

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) said he was surprised at Schock's resignation.

"The allegations against Congressman Schock are serious, raising questions about his expenditure of official funds and campaign funds. His resignation came as a surprise and reflects the gravity of his situation," Durbin said in a written statement.

Mayor Emanuel had done battle with Schock while President Obama's Chief of Staff.

"He did oppose President Obama's healthcare, it passed. He did oppose financial reforms and put tighter regulations over the banks, it passed. He did oppose tighter regulations on tobacco companies to protect our kids, it passed. I would say he was wrong for the future of the city of Chicago and I was just glad to be the president's chief of staff and help get that done," Mayor Emanuel said.

Democrat Darrel Miller was eviscerated by Schock, who tallied 75 percent of the vote in the 2014 election.

"It's no surprise to any of us in the district that he lived a high life," Miller.

Earlier this month, Schock defended a recent trip to New York last September, connected to a visit by the prime minister of India. Schock brought along ten staffers, all on the taxpayer dime, and he said he was glad his staff could be part of an historic event. He said the trip was official business.

Schock also has faced questions about a shell company linked to the him. The company paid a political donor $750,000 last year to purchase a warehouse in Peoria, and then took out a $600,000 mortgage from a local bank run by other donors.

Donors also built, sold, and financed a home Schock owned in suburban Peoria, and were involved in the sale of a Peoria apartment complex in which he invests.

Schock, a former state lawmaker, was the youngest member of the Illinois General Assembly when he was elected at the age of 23 in 2004. He ran for Congress in 2008, becoming the youngest member of Congress at the time.

A special election must be held to replace Schock in Congress. By law, Gov. Rauner must call for the election within five days of the vacancy and appoint a day for the special election within 115 days after calling for it.

State Senator Darin Lahood, the son of Ray Lahood the former Transportation Secretary under President Obama and State Senators Jason Barickman and Bill Brady have said they're considering running.