Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock says he hopes
constituents see him as ``still the same person'' after a week dogged by
controversies in Washington.
The Peoria Republican returned to his central Illinois district Friday. It was
his first visit since a watchdog group called for an ethics probe into how he
paid for extravagant decorations of his Washington office, and after a staffer
resigned because of racist remarks on Facebook.
Schock got a warm reception at one of his first stops. Several locals at a
Peoria County Farm Bureau event said they care about his record on agricultural
issues more than the color of his office walls.
The fourth-term congressman said ``all's fair'' for criticism in politics. But
he also said it's important to maintain a respectful relationship with
constituents.