Why Vote Boucher?
Your Vote Matters; Don’t Throw It Away!
“Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought” – John F. Kennedy.
It’s so easy to walk into your polling location and just check off the boxes of your party’s candidates without thinking much about the individuals you’re voting for. Yet, without putting much thought into the representatives we choose to lead us, we risk complacency and stifle any chance at thoughtful political discourse.
No matter who you choose to support with your vote, the Robert Boucher campaign wishes to stress the importance of free thinking, being informed, and understanding what your vote for State’s Attorney means to the communities across Peoria County. To better help you understand the candidates you are voting for, here’s what you should know about Robert Boucher and why a vote for Boucher as Peoria County State’s Attorney is a vote for a safer future for all Peorians.
A Family Man with an Ongoing Commitment to Public Service
Robert Boucher understands what it means to be a dedicated public servant, having been influenced by his parents’ example at a young age. Robert’s father, John “Hardrock” Boucher, was a WWII Navy Veteran who served as the Local and State Commander of AMVETS and worked 48 years at Caterpillar under the UAW Union Local 974. Robert’s mother, Tessie Boucher, managed a large family while working part-time in Peoria Public School District 150 cafeterias, instilling hard work and community service values in Boucher. In addition to Robert’s parents’ dedication to country and community, Robert lends his ongoing commitment to public service to the support he receives from his wife, Liz, and daughter, Clare.
A Vision for a Safer Peoria
One of the primary focuses of the Boucher Campaign is on crime and safety. It’s unfortunate to admit, but the crime rates in Peoria County have been rising, particularly violent and property crimes. According to the Peoria Police Department’s annual report, there was a 13.5% overall increase in crime for 2023. In fact, the total reported shooting incidents were up 22% compared to the prior year. Yet, this increase in crime is occurring at a time when violent crime offenses in the entire state are at a historically low rate, supported by data sourced by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Simply put, this increase in crime on Peoria’s streets is unacceptable.
Robert Boucher aims to transform the State Attorney’s Office into the ‘People’s Office,’ focusing on public safety, justice, and community trust. Boucher is committed to transparency, rigorous prosecution, and harsh sentencing for violent offenders, which help deter continued crime. Within Peoria County, Boucher envisions a community where safety and justice aren’t merely aspirations but realities achieved through collaborative efforts and innovative practices.
Jodi Who?
In 2019, Jodi Hoos was sworn in as Peoria County State’s Attorney, the first woman to hold this position. The accomplishment is one worth praising; yet, in the preceding years of Hoos’ term, crime rates that were once steady or declining began to rise to their highest point since 2013.
While Jodi Hoos’ has introduced initiatives like the “Kiwi Goes to School” program to support children in the courtrooms or the launch of the Greater Peoria Auto Crimes Task Force in 2023, her commitment to transparency, community engagement, and prosecution has been lacking. Just as an example of some of the areas where Hoos and her office have dropped the ball:
- With 1,585 charges filed (including 316 gun and weapons charges), the State’s Attorney’s Office reported involvement in only 26 jury trials in 2023.
- Hoos’ office has garnered a reputation for high staff turnover, with at least 44 dismissals within the past five years.
- Since first taking office in 2019, Hoos only just released their first Annual Report in 2024, covering activities from 2023.
How Boucher Stands Out
As a lifelong resident of Peoria and a third-generation Peorian with extensive local roots (two facts Jodi cannot claim herself), Robert Boucher has become deeply connected with the community. Boucher’s multi-generational roots in Peoria inform his commitment and understanding of the local community’s needs and values.
Where Jodi Hoos more actively engages in office-focused initiatives and is more influenced by her prior courtroom-focused career, Boucher’s professional and personal background is more diverse. Robert Boucher has decades of experience in legal practice as a prosecutor and defense attorney and earlier in life in labor and local service.
Additionally, Boucher has extensive involvement in various community and civic organizations, strong union affiliations, and a background in labor rights. Boucher is more proactive in his community engagement, having been involved in local leadership for civic and social organizations like:
- Knights of Columbus
- WTVP (local PBS station)
- Elks Lodge #20
- Carver Community Center
- Kops for Kids
- American Lung Association
As for Boucher’s lifelong commitment to labor rights and worker advocacy, he has been a member of multiple labor unions, including:
- UAW Union Local 974
- Union Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 536
- Brotherhood of Maintenance Way Employees Union Lodge 2618
- Laborers International Union Local 165
Make the Right Decision for Peoria’s Future!
If the state of Peoria has you concerned over the future of our county, now’s the time to do something about it! A vote for Robert Boucher for Peoria County State’s Attorney is a vote for safe homes, safe schools, and safe streets. Your safety is our priority, as we are dedicated to the reduction of Peoria’s crime rates and the enhancement of community wellbeing. Check out Our Policies or About Us pages to learn more about Robert Boucher and the issues he’s centered on. Otherwise, you can volunteer or make a donation to our campaign. Thank you for your support!