Hickey Funeral Co-Owner to Run for Congress in 1st District

Blue Island Mayor Donald Peloquin told Sun-Times Media on Monday that he'll be running for Congress in the newly redrawn 1st District. 

Peloquin, a Republican and the president of  in New Lenox, needs to win the March GOP primary before he can face off against Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush next November.

Earlier this year, . Under the new map, which , Rush's 1st Congressional District extends through the south suburbs to Elwood, including Frankfort, New Lenox and Mokena. 

"The new mapping puts about 15 towns in the district now, and I probably know 10 of the mayors pretty well," . "I think there's a real opportunity for us to work together, and this district is prime to be developed and create more jobs." 

According to the report, Peloquin said his campaign will concentrate on the economy and job creation.

“My campaign is going to be grass roots,” he told Sun-Times Media. “I’m going to use the Internet, Facebook, Twitter and build organizations in every community to get out the vote."