Biography – Darin LaHood

Darin M. LaHood officially announced his candidacy for Peoria County State’s Attorney on October, 5, 2007. Darin has outlined an aggressive plan to fight crime in Peoria County and also ensure protections for our seniors, children, and families across this County.

At his announcement LaHood was joined at a Peoria City Hall by his family, friends, and supporters. LaHood said that he would bring his years as a U.S. Justice Department prosecutor, his extensive courtroom experience, and his background in public service to the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s office to make it more effective in fighting crime.

LaHood also unveiled a five-point crime-fighting plan that he plans to implement when elected State’s Attorney. The plan calls for evaluating and improving programs in the State’s Attorney’s office, implementing crime-fighting programs in neighborhoods, and fostering a spirit of cooperation with officials and citizens who are interested in reducing the crime rate in Peoria County.

According to the Illinois State Police, over the last five years Peoria County has had the highest crime rate of any county in the State of Illinois. LaHood believes that the community needs a renewed emphasis on fighting crime, and that it must start in the State’s Attorney’s office.

LaHood

Darin LaHood's public service as a prosecutor as extends over eight years. From 2001 – 2005 Darin served as a Federal Prosecutor with the United States Department of Justice in Las Vegas, Nevada. During that time he worked for three years in the Violent Crimes and Narcotics Division and for one year as the Chief Terrorism Prosecutor. From 1999 – 2001 darin served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Tazewell County, Pekin, Illinois prosecuting felony, misdemeanor and traffic cases. From 1997 to 1999 Darin served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County, Chicago, Illinois, prosecuting Narcotics cases.

Darin LaHood has been engaged in private law practice since 2006 with the Peoria law firm of Miller, Hall, & Triggs.

Darin served as a Criminal Justice Professor from 2003-2005, instructing undergraduate students in Constitutional and Criminal law

Darin LaHood is a graduate of Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and the John Marshall School of Law in Chicago, Illinois. He was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois, and currently lives in Peoria with his wife Kristen and their three children.