Gov. Pat Quinn is offering congratulations to fellow Illinoisan and outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

LaHood said Tuesday that he would step down from President Barack Obama's administration. Obama and LaHood at one point served together in the Illinois congressional delegation. LaHood was 1 of 2 Republicans in Obama's Cabinet.

Quinn said Tuesday that LaHood helped lead the U.S. "through 1 of the most challenging times in history." The governor says LaHood made "unprecedented" safety improvements to the country's roads, rails, transit systems and air transportation.

LaHood is 67-year-old and a native of Peoria. He says he won't seek public office and indicated he didn't have any specific plans.