U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock to Resign March 31

Congressman Aaron Schock announced Tuesday he will resign his U.S. House seat effective March 31.

The Peoria Republican issued a statement announcing his intention to resign, doing so, "with a heavy heart."

The resignation comes in the wake of allegations of misuse of taxpayer and campaign money by Schock.

In Schock's statement, he said, "...the constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I set for myself."

Schock had been elected to his fourth term in the House of Representatives last fall.