Darin LaHood was sworn into Congress Thursday as the Illinois 18th congressional district's new representative.

LaHood's swearing in brings the number of GOP House members to 247. Republicans haven't occupied that many House seats since 1931.

LaHood, previously an Illinois state senator, won the special election last week for the 18th district seat, formerly held by ex-Congressman Aaron Schock.

Schock resigned in March following numerous reports and calls for investigations surrounding his spending of campaign funds and taxpayer money.

The Republican-leaning 18th congressional district covers parts of central and western Illinois.