SPRINGFIELD - Illinois' two incoming members of Congress are preparing this week for their terms and getting a little advice in the process.

Republican Aaron Schock of Peoria and Democrat Debbie Halvorson of Crete are in Washington this week participating in orientation programs for first-time lawmakers.

Schock said there's been a lot to learn in a short period of time.

"It's been like drinking from a fire hose," Schock said.

The 26-year-old Peoria Republican will become the youngest member of Congress after being elected to the 18th Congressional District, following U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood's retirement.

Halvorson, the state Senate majority leader, won her race in the 11th Congressional District to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller, R-Morris.

Neither is new to the legislative process. Both were serving in the Illinois General Assembly when they beat their rivals Nov. 4.

Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who also served in Springfield before moving on to Washington, had advice for the incoming lawmakers, saying they need to learn the complications of Congress quickly.

"I just went to the chamber floor and watched, watched the procedures, watched how people spoke, who talked to who, how deals were put together," Hastert said during a visit to the Illinois Capitol.

"Our freshman class met every week I was in Congress all the 20-some years. So those are people you rely on. Those are people you work with," Hastert added.

But, Hastert said, lawmakers need to be mindful not to get too caught up in the Washington, D.C., scene.

"Get back home, listen to your constituencies and try to serve them and the needs that they have," he said.

Schock will represent a Central Illinois district that includes Logan County, parts of Decatur and Macon County and parts of Tazewell and Woodford counties. Halvorson's 11th District spans from Chicago's south suburbs to Bloomington-Normal.

mike.riopell@lee.net|789-0865