Progress Illinois

As both Capitol Fax and Peoria Pundit noted yesterday evening, local media are reporting that the States Attorney office in Peoria has decided to investigate evidence that 18th District GOP congressional candidate Aaron Schock notarized a backdated document for his parents.  The alleged incident -- which may amount to a misdemeanor -- occurred eight years ago and was recounted by Schock's father in court proceedings. 

When initially asked about it, Schock claimed it had simply been a "clerical mistake."  But his father's testimony makes clear that the backdating was absolutely intentional.

Democrat Colleen Callahan brought the evidence to the states attorney's attention and has been hitting the issue hard on the campaign trail. But all sides seem to acknowledge that no charges are likely to brought, even if they do find wrongdoing:

During an appearance of Callahan's supporters in Peoria, attorney and former congressional candidate Doug Stephens said the statute of limitations is likely up on any misdemeanor charges that could arise from the alleged backdating.

As Rich Miller has repeatedly argued, the real issue here should be that Shock responded by misleadingly downplaying his act, rather than owning up to it:

To me, the alleged misdemeanor is no big deal. What I found appalling was that the local media allowed Schock to claim without challenge that the apparent back-dating was a “clerical mistake” when his own father testified under oath that it was a deliberate act.

I guess it really is always the cover-up that gets you.

UPDATE: The states attorney quickly concluded the investigation on October 20 after he "reviewed the allegations and not only found no information to show official misconduct by a notary public."