Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) is in discussions with the Obama administration to take a Cabinet-level post — most likely secretary of the Department of Transportation, according to knowledgeable GOP sources.

When reached on his cell phone, LaHood said only that Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), President-elect Obama’s incoming chief of staff, had contacted him last night.

“It’s probably not a good idea to discuss this at this moment,” LaHood said.

But one GOP source said that LaHood was engaged in talks with Emanuel about the Transportation secretary position, and the Obama transition team would like to make an announcement about it on Friday.

LaHood, a centrist Republican from Peoria, Ill., who serves on the Appropriations Committee, was first elected in 1994. He announced plans to retire last year.

Obama’s team has pledged to appoint Republicans to his administration. Right after the election, the president-elect announced that he wants Defense Secretary Robert Gates to stay on board for at least another year. He would not say whether his decision to keep Gates met the self-imposed requirement for a Republican in the Cabinet.

LaHood served as chief of staff to former House Minority Leader Bob Michel (R-Ill.) and won his seat when Michel retired.  

The Obama transition team did not immediately return a call for comment.