SPRINGFIELD - Area Democrats are working to find a candidate to try to run for U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood's seat in Congress, even though they can't make any official decisions for a month.

Some Democratic county leaders in the 18th Congressional District had a conference call Monday to discuss replacing former college and professional basketball coach Dick Versace, who dropped his Democratic bid last month.

Because Versace dropped out, local Democrats get to pick a candidate for the November election after the Feb. 5 primary.

Peoria County Democratic chairman Billy Halstead would have the most say in picking a Democratic replacement and said Monday's call was an effort to get organized so the party can choose someone shortly after the election.

"We're setting our plan of attack," he said.

Three Republicans are now locked in that race: economic developer Jim McConoughey of Dunlap, former Peoria City Councilman John Morris of Peoria and state Rep. Aaron Schock of Peoria. The seat has been held by a Republican for decades.

Among the Democrats, several names have been mentioned, but Halstead said the only person he'd personally heard from is 10th District Circuit Court Judge Richard Grawey of Dunlap.

"Judge Grawey is the only person that called me," Halstead said.

Grawey didn't return a call for comment Monday, but said in December he'd mull over a possible candidacy.

Halstead said another possible contender came up on the conference call, too. But he didn't want to release the name in fear of jeopardizing that person's current job.

The 18th District includes northern parts of Decatur and Macon County, as well as parts of Tazewell and Woodford counties.