U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock is seeking his third term in office. (Photo Courtesy Schock for Congress)

By Paul Morello

BLOOMINGTON - The youngest member of Congress is being challenged by a newcomer Democrat in the 18th Congressional District Race.

U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) is eyeing his third term in Congress after winning the nomination in 2008, at the age of 27.

Since being elected, Schock has served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Small Business Committee, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and the Ways and Means Committee.

Schock said he feels there are a number of different issues constituents in the district are invested in.

"Passing the Farm Bill, keeping the flood insurance and crop insurance programs in place is extremely important. As well as infrastructure, because I'm a big proponent of a long term highway bill," he said.

Before being elected to Congress, Schock served in the Illinois House.

Below you'll find where Schock stands on some of the issues facing the 18th Congressional District.

Jobs

Schock said the corporate tax rate needs to come down to make the United States a more favorable place for businesses.

"You have to create an environment where you're the favorite place to invest and you're the favorite place to hire someone," he said. "Our country right now unfortunately has the highest corporate tax rate of the industrialized world. Whether it's Canada, Latin America or Great Britain, we're losing jobs to those countries."

He said the tax structure needs to be revamped to make the United States more appealing for businesses. He said the state has not been helpful in attracting business to Illinois.

Farm Bill

Schock acknowledges passing a new Farm Bill is important, but he said there are other ways to help farmers in the district.

He said he wants to make sure the estate tax doesn't change. Currently the tax requires the heir of an estate worth $5 million would be assessed a 35 percent tax on the estate. Anything under $5 million is not taxed. Next year, the federal exemption amount is scheduled to drop to $1 million.

"If the estate tax goes back into affect on estates over one million dollars, I don't know a farm in my district today that isn't worth a million when you add up the land value, the combines and the buildings," he said.

He said the proposed 55 percent tax would put a lot of the farms in the district out of business.

Health care

 Schock wants to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

"Medicare trustees have said the program will go bankrupt in the next twenty years and if we do nothing, seniors who are on Medicare when it goes bankrupt will begin to lose benefits. So, if you don't want that to happen you have to be proactive," he said.

For more information on Schock, visit his campaign website.