The Republican from Taylorville used his first one-minute speech on the House floor to honor McVickers on his 500th career victory. Watch video of the speech.

McVickers has been coaching for 31 years in half a dozen central Illinois communities. His teams combined have won 12 conference championships, nine regional championships and 19 tournament championships.

McVickers was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame last year.

In their one-minute speeches, members of Congress can address the House on any subject they wish, usually a congressional district issue.

Davis himself does a little coaching in his free time — his sons’ Little League team and Taylorville Junior Football.

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“I would like to thank David Gill for the passion with which he campaigned. I appreciate his concession this evening. Shannon, our family, and I are thankful for the wonderful support we’ve received. I am humbled to have the honor to serve as Congressman for the 13th District and am ready to get to work.”

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EDWARDSVILLE- With hours remaining before the close of the General Election campaign season, 13^th Congressional District nominee Rodney Davis and 12^th Congressional District nominee Jason Plummer were joined Sunday by two top Illinois leaders in Congress to promote their agendas to create jobs.

Davis and Plummer were joined by Congressman John Shimkus (R-Collinsville) and Congressman Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton) in Edwardsville.

“Washington needs to get out of the way of small businesses,” said Davis. “I want to keep taxes low, unwind the regulations that overburden business owners, and repeal and replace Obamacare. That’s how we start growing the economy.”

“Our economy is struggling because of needless regulations and burdensome bureaucracy from Washington,” Plummer said. “Getting government out of the way is the first step to returning jobs and prosperity back to Southern Illinois.”

Both Davis and Plummer have released plans for jobs and economic recovery.

“This is a time when we need leaders who know that the top priority is job creation and getting the economy back on track,” said Congressman John Shimkus. “I’m proud to stand with Rodney and Jason and look forward to have them with me in Congress to help improve our jobs climate.”

“Our economy cannot grow under these crushing new regulations, including a massive healthcare law that fails to lower costs and could cause millions of Americans to lose their current coverage,” said Congressman Peter Roskam. “I need Jason and Rodney in Congress to stand up for small businesses and job creators.”

Both Davis and Plummer are endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Business for their support of policies which support economic growth.

Rodney Davis, 42, has lived in the 13^th District nearly his entire life. He married his high school sweetheart, Shannon. They and their three children live in Taylorville. To learn more about Rodney’s campaign to work aggressively in Congress to end overspending, address the nation’s skyrocketing debt, and work to improve the economy to provide a better quality of life for the families of Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, visit www.electrodney.com.

DECATUR- With unemployment in Macon County above 11%, and higher than the national average in 13 of the 14 counties in Illinois’ new 13^th District, Republican Congressional nominee Rodney Davis was joined Wednesday by two top House members, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) to discuss ways to improve the Illinois jobs climate.

Davis, Sessions, and Walden toured StripMasters, a Decatur business.

“Washington needs to get out of the way of small business in the 13th District,” said Davis. “My plan is to keep taxes low, unwind regulations on business owners, and repeal and replace Obamacare to help business in Illinois thrive.”

Davis has announced a Plan for Jobs in the 13^th District that starts with extending current tax rates before they expire December 31^st. A recent study indicates 30,700 jobs would be lost in Illinois if taxes increase on January 1.

The plan also calls for limiting burdensome regulations on business. Davis supports requiring Congress to review existing regulations and vote to keep or eliminate regulations that are obsolete or harmful. He also supports legislation requiring Congressional approval for any regulation that has a $100 million economic impact or greater on the American people.

Davis’ opponent, David Gill, supports raising taxes on millions of small business owners across the country. If in Congress, Gill would vote for Nancy Pelosi’s plan to increase taxes. 80 percent of small business owners file income tax returns as individuals, which would subject them to Gill and Pelosi’s tax increases.

The local economy cannot sustain another tax hike. Thirteen of the fourteen counties in the 13th District have an unemployment rate above the national average. Two counties in the district have rates over 11 percent. (Montgomery 11.7%, Macon 11.4%)

“If Congress allows the current tax rates to expire, Central and Southwest Illinois will lose thousands of jobs,” Davis said. “Our plan helps business owners create jobs, put people back to work, and will strengthen the economy.”

Rodney Davis, 42, has lived in the 13^th District nearly his entire life. He married his high school sweetheart, Shannon. They and their three children live in Taylorville. To learn more about Rodney’s campaign to work aggressively in Congress to end overspending, address the nation’s skyrocketing debt, and work to improve the economy to provide a better quality of life for the families of Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, visit www.electrodney.com.

Bloomington Pantagraph:

“Davis has staked out some sensible positions. He says businesses need certainty, which he contends is hampered by the Affordable Care Act and Congress’ inaction about continuing the Bush-era tax cuts.”

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette:

“But the 14 counties of the new 13th District do not constitute a “full-throated liberal” district, like, say, Berkeley, Calif. It’s a moderately conservative district, and Davis is a better fit to serve as its representative in the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Decatur Herald & Review:

“Davis supports extending the current rates permanently and also wants to see an established transportation plan that, with federal funding, would put more people to work and reduce the nation’s still-too-high unemployment rate.”

SPRINGFIELD- Rodney Davis, Republican nominee for Congress in the 13^th District, today received the endorsement of mayors from across the district. Citing Rodney’s extensive background in working with local officials in communities both large and small, these mayors know that Rodney Davis has the experience and desire to work with them to enhance economic development, strengthen infrastructure and ensure all 13th District communities have a voice in Washington.

“Working with local communities has been what I have done for the past 16 years,” said Davis. “I know the needs of communities both large and small and I have the experience working with leaders to make sure their needs are addressed. I believe one of the vital roles of a Member of Congress is to advocate for the interests of the communities they represent. I look forward to continuing my work with all mayors in the 13th District after my election to Congress.”

“Like many of my colleagues, after working with Rodney, hearing his ideas and watching him interact with the leaders and residents in Springfield, I’ve witnessed control, reliability, intellectually appropriate arguments, a great depth of knowledge and a professional approach to being a Member of Congress,” Springfield Mayor and Co-Chair of the Mayors for Rodney committee J. Michael Houston said. “Rodney is the only candidate in the race with the background and experience of working with local units of government. I fully endorse Rodney Davis for Congress and encourage the residents of Springfield to join me in voting for a true leader who will represent all residents in Springfield as if they were his next door neighbor.”

The initial members of Mayors for Rodney include:

J. Michael Houston, co-chair, Springfield

Larry Gulledge, co-chair, Maryville

Dave Armstrong, Rochester

Steve Bryant, Bethalto

Christopher Corrie, Monticello

Harold “Hap” Gilbert, Forsyth

Denny Held, Raymond

Tom Jones, Litchfield

Dave Luttrell, Edinburg

Mike McCormick, Godfrey

Mike McElroy, Decatur

Gilbert Merkel, Harvel

Larry Mowery, Heyworth

David Pickel, Morrisonville

Richard Perdun, Jerseyville

Steve Stockton, Bloomington

Rodney Davis, 42, has lived in the 13^th District nearly his entire life. He married his high school sweetheart, Shannon. They and their three children live in Taylorville. To learn more about Rodney’s campaign to work aggressively in Congress to end overspending, address the nation’s skyrocketing debt, and work to improve the economy to provide a better quality of life for the families of Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, visit www.electrodney.com.

The support we’ve received so far is humbling, and we need your help as we enter the most important part of the campaign.  Early voting ends today, November 3rd!  Voting early lets you avoid long lines on Election Day and will help stop election-related phone calls.  To find out where you can vote early in your area, click below

CHAMPAIGN- Two respected Illinois leaders are featured in new radio ads for 13^th Congressional District Republican nominee Rodney Davis.

Former Governor Jim Edgar and Congressman John Shimkus are each featured in radio ads running all across the 13^th District.

“Rodney has a plan to grow our economy and help create jobs,” says Governor Edgar in his new ad.  “Rodney Davis will work to end the overspending in Washington.”

“I’ve known Rodney Davis for over 20 years,” says Congressman John Shimkus in his testimonial. “Rodney Davis is dedicated to the right things, an end to the wasteful, massive government spending. He’ll keep taxes low to help small businesses grow and create jobs.”

Both Edgar and Shimkus combat the negative ads against Davis that have been proven “false” and “intentionally misleading” by leading news agencies in the district.

“The Washington big spenders are trying to tear Rodney down with their false, misleading attacks,” said Congressman Shimkus. “We can’t let that happen.”

“Defenders of the status quo in Washington are trying to tear Rodney down with false, misleading attacks,” said Governor Edgar. “Don’t let them succeed.”

Rodney Davis, 42, has lived in the 13^th District nearly his entire life. He married his high school sweetheart, Shannon. They and their three children live in Taylorville. To learn more about Rodney’s campaign to work aggressively in Congress to end overspending, address the nation’s skyrocketing debt, and work to improve the economy to provide a better quality of life for the families of Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, visit www.electrodney.com.

DECATUR- Citing high unemployment and a need to improve the business climate in Illinois and across the country, the National Federation of Independent Business Tuesday endorsed Rodney Davis for Congress in the 13^th District.

Davis was joined by officials from the NFIB at Decatur-area business Spacemark for Tuesday’s announcement.

“Rodney Davis believes that Washington needs to be right sized,” said Lisa Goeas, NFIB Vice President of Political and Grassroots. “He wants to keep federal taxes on small businesses low and reduce the size of the federal government. He wants to pare back regulations, most impressively, he wants to repeal and replace the onerous federal health care law that our members believe will harm their businesses and destroy jobs.”

Davis has already announced a Plan for Jobs in the 13^th District that begins by extending current tax rates before they are set to expire on December 31^st. Studies indicate 30,700 jobs will be lost in Illinois if taxes are allowed to increase on January 1.

The plan also calls for limiting burdensome regulations on business. Davis supports requiring Congress to review existing regulations and vote to keep or eliminate regulations that are obsolete or harmful. He also supports legislation requiring Congressional approval for any regulation that has a $100 million economic impact or greater on the American people.

“Small business owners are the people who work hard everyday to make a living and keep the economy going,” said Davis. “To have the support of the NFIB shows that our campaign is focused on keeping the jobs we have and helping create an environment in which those business owners can thrive and create new jobs.”

David Gill, Davis’ opponent, supports radical policies which would raise taxes on millions of small business owners across the country. If in Congress, Gill would vote for Nancy Pelosi’s plan to increase taxes. 80 percent of small business owners file income tax returns as individuals, which would subject them to Gill and Pelosi’s tax increases.

Local job creators are already struggling in the current economy. Thirteen of the fourteen counties in the 13th District have an unemployment rate higher than the national average. Two counties in the district have rates over 11 percent. (Montgomery 11.7%, Macon 11.4%)

“If Congress allows the current tax rates to expire, it just means thousands of lost jobs here in Central and Southwest Illinois,” Davis said. “The last thing we need is a tax increase while the economy is in such fragile condition. I’m committed to keeping taxes low on families and small businesses.”

Rodney Davis, 42, has lived in the 13^th District nearly his entire life. He married his high school sweetheart, Shannon. They and their three children live in Taylorville. To learn more about Rodney’s campaign to work aggressively in Congress to end overspending, address the nation’s skyrocketing debt, and work to improve the economy to provide a better quality of life for the families of Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, visit www.electrodney.com.