When U.S. Representative Aaron Schock announced on March 17 his intention to leave office, reaction across the Hilltop to the investigation and resignation of its alumnus varied.
Schock’s decision to take leave was a result of allegations brought up over the past few weeks surrounding his expenditure of taxpayer and campaign donor money.
“I think everyone was shocked with the resignation,” executive director of the Institute of Principled Leadership, Brad McMillan, said. “It came so fast and so swift.”
With Schock (’02) being a Bradley graduate, he has been present on campus and in Peoria for various events, and some students said they have held him in high regard.
“I’ve always looked up to the congressman and have a lot of respect for him,” sophomore Shelby Taluc, a former intern for Schock, said.
Additionally, a picture and description of Schock is currently highlighted on Bradley’s principled leadership website as well as in packets. McMillan said this is something that needs to be changed.
“No formal charges have been brought, but the perception is out there, and we have to respond to that,” McMillan said.
Former President of Bradley College Republicans Beth Knapinski (’14) said she thinks Schock was right to resign.
“He can’t undo what he’s done,” Knapinski said. “All Americans, Bradley students included, should be civically involved…and I think the biggest thing we need to demand is accountability and authenticity from our leaders.”
Despite Schock’s situation, however, McMillan said he believes Bradley will maintain its strong reputation.
“Bradley has a very rich history of sending very good public servants to either Washington, D.C. or other places in government,” McMillan said.
According to McMillan, it is also important to remember that Schock made several positive contributions to Bradley and his congressional district.
“Even with these allegations, he has a proud record of serving the district that will always be his legacy,” McMillan said. “You can’t take away the good work he’s done, but as I tell my students, it takes many years to build a strong reputation, and it takes a very short time to tear it down. That’s what we’ve seen unfold.”
Although McMillan stands by the “good things” Schock has done, he said he thinks it will be difficult for Schock to re-enter the public arena.
“When you have charges and allegations that directly question your ethics and your integrity, that’s really hard to recover from,” McMillan said.
Knapinski said she thinks serious reflection needs to be put toward where Schock wants to go next.
“It’s essentially first about regaining the trust of everyone¬,” Knapinski said. “Constituents, business partners, the university—everyone was affected by this.”
With Schock resigning from Congress, the House of Representatives’ ethics investigation is over. However, the Justice Department can still decide to pursue legal charges.
Last week, members of Schock’s current and former staff were given subpoenas to appear before a grand jury in Springfield this April.
“That was the first specific indication that federal authorities were investigating,” McMillan said. “So, it’s gotten to a pretty serious level.”
However, McMillan said he thinks Schock will be able to recover from this situation.
“Schock is a very smart, entrepreneurial individual who I think will rebound successfully in the private sector,” McMillan said.
