Representative David R. Leitch (R-Peoria) is serving his eleventh term in the Illinois General Assembly. He has received numerous awards for his community service, responsiveness to his constituents, and his legislative service. The Illinois Central College named the David R. Leitch Career Center in honor of his dedication and support for Illinois Central College. He was awarded the Dr. Nathan Davis Award as State Legislator of the Year in the United States by the American Medical Association; he has been named the Legislator of the Year by the following: Illinois Osteopathic Society, ARC of Illinois, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Illinois Bankers' Association, Illinois Tax Increment Finance Association, Illinois Primary Health Care Association, Illinois Association of Park Districts, Association of Community Health Authorities, and the Illinois Coalition for Developmental Disabilities. He was named Champion of Free Enterprise by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, a Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, a Special Friend by the Brain Injury Association, a Legislative Friend of Tourism, and Tri-County Citizen of the Year by Peoria Downtown Kiwanis, and is a fourteen-time recipient of the Farm Bureau Activator Award.

Representative Leitch serves on the following committees: Human Services Appropriations, Housing (Republican Spokesman), Labor, Rules & Workers' Compensation Subcommittee.

His special interests as a legislator are constituent services, health care, economic development issues, and human services.

The 73rd Legislative District includes, the City of Peoria north of Glen Avenue, the northern and western townships in Peoria County including: Chillicothe, Dunlap, Princeville, Brimfield, Elmwood, and portions of Limestone Township, five townships of Bureau County, Marshall County and most of Woodford County.