Moderate Republican Rep. Ray LaHood (Ill.) will be tapped to head up the Department of Transportation in the incoming Obama administration, his hometown newspaper reported on Wednesday. Citing “high level GOP sources,” the Peoria Journal Star reported that the Obama transition team will announce LaHood’s appointment on Friday, but added that no official confirmation has been given. Rumors of LaHood’s looming nomination have been swirling throughout the day. LaHood announced his retirement from the 110th Congress last year. Elected in 1994, he served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee until 2002, when he was selected to serve on the powerful Appropriations Committee. LaHood did not return a call seeking comment.