From a press release:

Mayor Ardis, City Leaders Hosting Free Pizza Party Featuring State’s Attorney Candidate Darin LaHood
Crime in City to be among topics for discussion
at Agatucci’s on Thursday evening

Peoria, IL – Darin LaHood, candidate for Peoria County State’s Attorney, is the featured guest this Thursday (May 22) at Agatucci’s Restaurant (2607 N. University) from 5-8 p.m. Mayor Jim Ardis and seven members of the Peoria City Council are organizing the event designed to open dialogue between Peorians and the City’s elected leadership on issues related to crime and how that affects area employment, education and quality of life. LaHood is considered by many in the community to be the candidate for State’s Attorney who understands individual community members’ perspectives on such issues and is open to continued discussions and working together to find solutions.

“Peoria is fortunate to have a very diverse and accessible leadership on its City Council,” said LaHood. “I believe that when it comes to fighting crime in our community there are some weak spots, the State’s Attorney’s office among those. For Peoria to grow and flourish as a community, we must continue to elect individuals who know their constituencies, who don’t shy away from frank discussions about our problems and who aggressively want to work for solutions.”

In addition to Mayor Ardis, seven Peoria City Council Members are listed as organizers of this community outreach event, including: Gary Sandberg, Eric Turner, Patrick Nichting, Bob Manning, George Jacob, Ryan Spain and Jim Montelongo. All Peorians with concerns about the community are encouraged to attend some portion of the evening.

Darin LaHood, 39, was born and raised in Peoria. He is a former Chief Terrorism and Federal Prosecutor who served four years with U.S. Department of Justice in Las Vegas, Nevada. LaHood was also an Assistant State’s Attorney in both Tazewell and Cook counties. LaHood and his wife Kristen returned home to Peoria in 2005 to raise their three children: McKay, Luke, and Teddy. LaHood currently practices law with the firm of Miller, Hall, & Triggs. Darin and Kristen are active in numerous Peoria charitable and civic organizations and are members of St. Vincent de Paul Church. Visit www.DarinLaHood.com to learn more about the candidate, volunteer opportunities, or to contribute to the campaign.