It's only been two weeks since the new members of Congress were sworn in, but there is already a protest going on in front of a newly-elected politician's office.
Protestors gathered off 1st Avenue in downtown, Rock Island on Saturday, January 19th, 2013 to tell those passing by that they feel neglected by Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.
The group says while her predecessor had a local office open immediately when his term started, Bustos has only staffed her D.C. office.
Protestors say they've been trying to contact Bustos on issues such as the "fiscal cliff" and gun control, but her new office in Rock Island is still empty.
"The 'penthouse' in Washington is up and running and she has no office here in our District to hear our problems and our concerns as a community," says Jodi Hessler, who joined protestors today.
Bustos' staff announced on January 9th, 2013 that they are opening an office at 100 19th Street, which is located in the McKesson Building in downtown, Rock Island.
WQAD spoke to her Communication Director, Colin Milligan, this afternoon. He says they are still setting the office up and they should be opening it within a couple of weeks. However, he says people can still call the office at (309) 786-3406 and leave a message or talk to their District Director, Jerry Lack, who worked for former Congressman Lane Evans.
"We do have a working phone so that people can contact him," says Milligan. "He’s already doing casework and helping people out. We’re also hiring several other people from the Quad-Cities that will join our staff soon."