CQ Risk Rating: Safe Republican 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Ray LaHood (R) | 173,706 | 67% |
| Joyce Harant (D) | 85,317 | 33% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: MARCH 21, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Joyce Harant | 15,163 | 73% |
| Keith "Al" Probyn | 5,535 | 27% |
| | Republican |
| Ray LaHood | 40,746 | 100% |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
ILLINOIS 18
:
Central - Peoria; part of Springfield
When Richard Nixon spoke to the silent majority, his message hit home in
Peoria, an American Everytown filled with hard-working, conservative,
middle-class folks. Thirty years later, Peoria is a Democratic-leaning
anomaly in a sea of rural Republicans. The famous city has a substantial
union constituency that is consistently outvoted by conservative farmers. At
its far southern reaches, the district also includes a number of Republican
suburbanites at the outskirts of Springfield, the state's centrally located
capital.
In much of this predominantly agricultural district, voters worry about
crop prices, ethanol, free trade and estate taxes. But the district's
economic health still depends largely on Peoria-based Caterpillar Inc.,
maker of heavy construction equipment.
After Caterpillar hit rough times in the 1980s, laying off workers and
closing factories, the region tried to reduce its economic dependence on the
company. The company has since rebounded, much to the relief of the Peoria
economy. The city and its neighboring towns have also successfully started
to diversify their manufacturing and a few companies have ventured into
ethanol and other grain byproducts.
Major Industry
Construction machinery, ethanol and grain products, agriculture
Population
572,238 (1990)
Cities
Peoria, 112,306; Pekin, 32,433 (1996); Springfield (pt.), 35,294 (1990)
People
50% urban; 14% age 65+ (ranks seventh of 20 in state; top third nationally);
61% married couples, 28% married couples with children; 17% college educated
(ranks 11 of 20 in state; middle third nationally); 57% white collar (ranks
11 of 20 in state; middle third nationally), 26% blue collar (ranks 11 of 20
in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Race
94% white, 5% black, 1% Asian; 1% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$30,189 (ranks 12 of 20 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Peoria lays claim to the nation's longest-running Santa Claus Parade;
Beardstown Ladies' Investment Club, publisher of the best-selling Beardstown
Ladies' Common Sense Investment Guide.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 18
