The man who’s raised less than $15,000 for his run at Aaron Schock’s old 18th Congressional District seat came out swinging against the man who’s raised more than $1 million, in the first of two debates before next month’s special election.

Democrat Rob Mellon of Quincy says State Senator Darin LaHood’s fundraising skills make him just like Schock.

LaHood says his fundraising came mainly in small amounts from every one of the 19 counties in the district, and doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to see some campaign finance reform.

In the wake of Tuesday’s deadly shooting of two employees of a Virginia television station, the two also were asked about gun control — specifically, whether people who buy weapons at gun shows should be subject to criminal background checks. Mellon says he wants to protect Second Amendment rights while requiring background checks so that people who shouldn’t have guns, can’t get them.

One of the few other ways the two agreed: Mellon and LaHood both want the U.S. trade embargo with Cuba to end.

The debate was hosted by the State Journal-Register. Another debate is tonight in East Peoria.

In other State news, every other year, Progress City takes shape on 300 acres near Richland Community College in Decatur. In the odd-numbered years, Decatur hosts the Farm Progress Show, alternating with Boone, Iowa.

Growing techniques, unattended aerial vehicles (which some call “drones”), and the latest – and largest! – farming equipment are all part of it.

On-stage entertainment includes Craig Morgan, and there will be a visit from TV’s Mike Rowe as well.