LaHOOD, Ray H., a Representative from Illinois; born in Peoria, Peoria County, Ill., December 6, 1945; graduated from Spalding High School, Chicago, Ill.; attended Spoon River Community College, Canton, Ill.; B.S., Bradley University, Peoria, Ill., 1971; teacher; director, Rock Island County Youth Services Bureau, 1972-1974; chief planner, Bi-States Metropolitan Planning Commission, 1974-1977; aide to United States Representative Thomas F. Railsback of Illinois, 1977-1982; member of the Illinois state house of representatives, 1982-1983; aide to United States Representative Robert H. Michel of Illinois, 1983-1994; elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Fourth and to the six succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1995-January 3, 2009); was not a candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Eleventh Congress in 2008; Secretary of Transportation in the Cabinet of President Barack Obama, 2009-.

Source:bioguide.congress.gov