U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller will serve out his remaining term in Congress, but he does not plan to run for reelection.

At least that was the official word, according to Weller’s official statement delivered Friday at a meeting of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce.

"I want to see my daughter grow up, and we may even be blessed with a second child." Weller said, as he announced his retirement.

"I want to be a good husband and a good father," Weller said. "For the benefit of my family, I can no longer seek another term in the United States House of Representatives. At this time, my wife, my child — my family — must come first.

Weller has spent 25 years in public service, with 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, six years in the Illinois General Assembly, and five years as an aid to Secretary of Agriculture John Block during the Reagan administration as well as a staff member to a state representative in the early ‘80’s.

While Weller was quick to speak of his accomplishments, he was mum about the myriad questions asked of him - questions surrounding possible ethics violations.

He has been named one of the 22 most corrupt congressmen. He has been grilled about buying and developing property in Nicaragua, which has not been disclosed accurately. He has been subpoenaed in the bribery case of a former colleague. He has failed to provide information about his wife’s finances, which Weller claims are completely separate from his own, even while she serves on the board directors for a not-for-profit group with Weller’s family members, casting suspicion on his declaration of separation.

Now that Weller’s retirement is official, several names have surfaced in addition to those who have declared an intention to run in his place.

On the Republican side, the latest to show interest in replacing Weller are: Art Schultz, the mayor of Joliet; State Sen. Christine Radogno, Lagrange; New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann, who is also the police chief in Chicago Ridge.

State Rep. Dan Brady from McLean County is considering it, as is Adam Kinzinger, an Air Force Lieutenant with tours over Iraq and Afghanistan. Jason King, of Normal has already expressed his interest. In LaSalle County, the Republican Central Committee has already established a congressional exploratory committee to select a replacement for Weller.

On the Democratic side, House Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, Crete, has been courted by top fundraisers in an effort to convince her to run for the position. Though she is interested, she must weigh a congressional seat against her becoming the first woman president in the Illinois Senate, should Emil Jones retire. State Sen. A. J. Wilhelmi, Joliet has said he might run for Weller’s position. Two others have already spoken of their interest - Jerry Weber, the president of Kankakee Community College and Robert Gorman, a real estate appraiser from Frankfort. And, there is a possibility that John Pavich, Beecher, the former CIA-counter-intelligence officer who ran against Weller in ’06 may come back a second time. Pavich lost by a margin of less than 10 percent. The latest Democrat to announce his intentions to run is Bryan Ballard, Normal. Ballard is a U.S. Navy veteran and retired telephone company cableman with 28 years in the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union.

Jason Wallace, a Green Party candidate and student at ISU has also expressed an interest in running for office.

Weller’s retirement adds up to three Republican seats being being vacated in the U.S. House. Former Speaker Dennis Hastert, Plano, has announced his retirement, as well as Ray LaHood, Peoria.