LaHood retiring after 7 terms in Congress

PEORIA -- U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood says he will retire next year after seven terms in Congress.

The Peoria Republican said in an interview Thursday with Peoria radio station WCBU that he decided to move on after 30 years in politics.

He said the prospect of being an ordinary citizen and leading an ordinary life "is pretty appealing."

LaHood said he's never thought of himself as a career politician and thinks there comes a time to move on and do something else. The 61-year-old said he thinks this is the right time for him.

LaHood was re-elected in November to his seventh term in the 18th Congressional District in central Illinois.

He was first elected in 1994, after the retirement of former House Minority Leader Robert Michel, R-Peoria. LaHood had been Michel's chief for staff for 12 years.