Aaron Schock

Aaron Schock, born on May 28, 1981, is a former American politician and business executive who made history as the youngest member of Congress when he took office in 2009 at the age of twenty-seven. Representing Illinois's 18th congressional district, which includes Peoria and parts of Springfield, Schock was notable for being the first member of Congress born in the 1980s and the first millennial to serve in this capacity.

Before his tenure in Congress, Schock served two terms in the Illinois House of Representatives, where he also held the distinction of being the youngest member. His political career, however, was marred by controversy. In March 2015, he resigned amid a scandal involving the misuse of public and campaign funds, which led to a congressional ethics investigation revealing extravagant expenditures funded by taxpayer money.

In November 2016, Schock faced indictment from a federal grand jury related to the scandal. After pleading not guilty, he entered into a deferred prosecution agreement in March 2019, resulting in the dismissal of all charges in exchange for a period of good behavior and the payment of one hundred thousand dollars in restitution. Additionally, his campaign committee, Schock for Congress, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for failing to accurately report expenses.

Despite a voting record that consistently opposed LGBTQ rights, Schock publicly came out as gay in March 2020, expressing regret for some of his past policy decisions. His journey reflects a complex narrative of political ambition, personal transformation, and the challenges of public service.