State Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, continued his bid for the 18th Congressional District seat in Forsyth on Tuesday, where some of the people gathered in support of his campaign wanted to know about the possibility of a Gov. Rod Blagojevich indictment.

Schock said the 2010 election represents an excellent opportunity to change leadership.

"I will tell you that we're going to have an opportunity in two years with an election," Shock said. "I hope the two parties put forward their best candidates."

But, Shock said, the hammer of federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald could fall on Blagojevich before the next election, and if it does, impeachment proceedings are likely.

"There is a chance that Patrick Fitzgerald will move quicker than the next election," Schock said. "The word we get from (House Speaker Mike Madigan's) office is if he is indicted, the speaker will move forward with impeachment proceedings."

Schock said the state Senate may hold up a slam-dunk impeachment due to Senate President Emil Jones' close relationship with Blagojevich, but that the House would almost certainly vote in favor of an impeachment.

"The overwhelming majority (of state representatives) would vote to impeach him," Schock said.

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THE INTERNET is a font of information, but what is there isn't always accurate.

That has resulted in a number of people calling the Macon County Clerk's Office to complain about the ban on wearing items such as buttons or shirts promoting a specific candidate when they go to the polls to vote Nov. 4.

County Clerk Steve Bean said a Web site advocating a person's right to express his or her choice of candidates around polling places is prompting the calls. He said Illinois has had a law for many years prohibiting such electioneering.

"The public deserves its day at the polling place without any last-minute campaigning," Bean said. "No one is allowed to stand within 100 feet of a polling place in Illinois and advocate for a candidate or an issue."

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STATE SEN. Frank Watson, R-Greenville, the Senate minority leader who represents much of Decatur, recently was recognized by two business organizations for his legislative work and record in promoting the state's economy and job creation.

The Illinois State Chamber of Commerce designated Watson a "champion of free enterprise," and the Illinois chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business presented him with its Guardian of Small Business Award.

"Sen. Watson is consistently aware of employers' needs and how legislation impacts them," said Todd Maisch, vice president of governmental affairs for the state Chamber. "It's not just been this year; over the course of his career, Sen. Watson has stood up for the economy and for a business climate in Illinois that creates jobs."

Watson is a pharmacist who operates a family business.

"Sen. Watson, who has experience running a small business, knows first-hand how government policies can affect small employers," said Kim Clarke Maisch, the national federation's state director. "By standing up against higher taxes, over regulation and government intervention, Sen. Watson proves to small-business owners that he is serious about strengthening Illinois' business climate and protecting jobs."

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U.S. SEN. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., was recognized last month by the Illinois Farm Bureau with its Friend of the Farm Bureau award while the National Farmers Union bestowed on him its Golden Triangle Award.

The Farm Bureau award is based on voting records on priority issues established by the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors, the number of bills sponsored and co-sponsored in Congress, leadership on priority issues and how accessible and responsive the member of Congress is to the organization's members and leaders.

The Farmers Union award recognized Durbin for his attention to issues affecting rural Illinois.

Durbin, the U.S. Senate majority whip, faces opposition in his re-election bid this fall from Republican Dr. Steve Sauerberg of Lombard, who has struggled to gain name recognition in the campaign.

When 99 members attending a recent meeting of Decatur's Golden K Kiwanis Club were asked if they knew who Dr. Steve Sauerberg was, not one hand went up.

klowe@herald-review.com|421-7985 and ringram@herald-review.com|421-7973