Peoria Standard

Darin LaHood, representative for Illinois' 16th Congressional District, announced on Facebook his support for the United States Postal Service's (USPS) decision to invest millions of dollars in maintaining and upgrading the Peoria Mail Processing and Distribution Center. Initially slated for consolidation, the center will now undergo modernization.

"The Peoria Mail Processing and Distribution Center provides essential services to our local communities, small businesses, farmers, and veterans," said Darin M Lahood, U.S. Representative, according to Facebook. "I partnered with Rep. Eric Sorensen to protect high-paying and high-quality jobs in central Illinois. I am proud that USPS announced an investment of millions of dollars to keep and modernize the distribution center."

According to a report from Central Illinois Proud, LaHood and Congressman Eric Sorensen collaborated to safeguard the Peoria facility. "We are pleased that USPS has committed to pausing any additional changes through 2025. Together, we will work in a bipartisan manner to protect high-paying and high-quality jobs in Peoria and throughout central Illinois," LaHood and Sorensen said in a joint statement quoted by Central Illinois Proud.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood's April 14 Facebook post. | U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood Facebook page

In 2024, Save the Post Office reported that the Peoria facility was considered for consolidation with the South Suburban Processing and Distribution Center. The report noted more than two dozen consolidations announced by USPS. Facilities under review, including Peoria's, might be repurposed as local processing centers or sorting and delivery centers.

A notice dated January 10, 2024, detailed an intent to review the potential consolidation of the Peoria facility with the South Suburban center in Bedford Park. The review would evaluate whether transferring mail processing operations could enhance efficiency by moving items closer to their destination. It would also consider redesigning operations at Peoria to accommodate changing mail products and flow or expanding operations to improve service.

Congressman Darin LaHood has represented Illinois since 2015 and currently serves constituents in the 16th District after redistricting moved him from the 18th District in 2023. His political career includes four years in the state Senate and over nine years as a state and federal prosecutor, including time as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Las Vegas. LaHood holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loras College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois-Chicago John Marshall Law School. He resides in Peoria with his wife.