SPRINGFIELD -- U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock's Springfield office was a secondary target Wednesday in a plot to bomb the federal courthouse in downtown Springfield.

Schock's office sits on a corner opposite corner from the courthouse in space formerly occupied by a restaurant.

"My office was notified today of the attempted terrorist attack on both the Federal Building and my Congressional Office in Springfield," Schock said in a statement. "I am incredibly grateful to the FBI for their fine work in preventing this terrorist attack."

Schock spokesman Dave Natonski said authorities asked the congressman and his staff not to comment any further.

Michael C. Finton of Decatur, who was charged with the plot, had his first court day Thursday.

An affidavit supporting the complaint against Finton alleges he said "they were hoping that the Congressman would be in his office that day, since there would be enough explosive that the blast could also take out his office at the same time."

Schock is a first-term Republican from Peoria representing Illinois' 18th Congressional District. The district includes parts of Springfield, northern Decatur and Macon County, and parts of Tazewell and Woodford counties.