Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock says he hopes constituents see him as "still the same person" after a week dogged by controversies in Washington.

The Peoria Republican returned to his central Illinois district Friday. It was his first visit since a watchdog group called for an ethics probe into how he paid for extravagant decorations of his Washington office, and after a staffer resigned because of racist remarks on Facebook.

Schock got a warm reception at one of his first stops. Several locals at a Peoria County Farm Bureau event said they care about his record on agricultural issues more than the color of his office walls.

The fourth-term congressman said "all's fair" for criticism in politics. But he also said it's important to maintain a respectful relationship with constituents.

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