Chris Koos is the current mayor of Normal, Illinois[1] and is serving as a member of the Amtrak Board of Directors.[2]
Chris Koos | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Normal, Illinois | |
| Assumed office February 17, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Kent Karraker |
| Member of the Amtrak Board of Directors | |
| Assumed office January 24, 2024 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Tom Carper |
| Normal Council Member | |
| In office April 2001 – February 17, 2003 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher C. Koos 1948 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Illinois State University |
He is the longest serving Mayor in the history of the town of Normal.[3]
Political history
editChris Koos began serving as a Normal council member in 2001. He became mayor of Normal in 2003, which he has been serving as for 21 years.[4] He was preceded by Kent Karraker, who stepped down due to health reason's. Which lead to Chris Koos appointment as mayor.[5]
He was originally nominated to the Amtrak Board of Directors in May 2020 by President Donald Trump, of which he was recommended to by Senator Dick Durbin.[6] Koos was re-nominated by President Joe Biden in April 2022.[3] He was finally confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 24, 2024, to the Amtrak Board of Directors.[7]
He is running for re-election to a 6th term as mayor in 2025.[8]
Personal life
editBorn in 1948,[8] he grew up in Bloomington-Normal and attended Central Catholic High School and Illinois State University.[3]
Koos owns Vitesse Cycle Shop, a specialty biking and running store in Normal.[2]
He was also an Infantry Platoon Leader in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1971.[2]
In the media
editKoos made an appearance in season 20 episode 519 (Grand Finale) of American Idol. Due to local Leah Marlene who was from Normal making the finals, in which he named Tuesday May 15, 2022, Leah Marlene Day.[9] The episode received 6.49 million viewers live.
References
edit- ^ "Mayor Chris Koos | Normal, IL - Official Website". www.normalil.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ a b c "About Amtrak - Board of Directors - Christopher C. Koos | Amtrak". www.amtrak.com. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ a b c House, The White (2022-04-29). "President Biden Announces AMTRAK Board Member Nominees". The White House. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ Hayward, Dylan (2023-10-16). "Creating the new Normal: An interview with Mayor Chris Koos (Part 1)". High Speed Rail Alliance. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ Packowitz, Howard (2024-03-26). "Mayor who led Normal for a decade has died". www.25newsnow.com. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ "Durbin Statement On Nomination Of Normal Mayor Chris Koos To Serve On Amtrak Board Of Directors | U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois". www.durbin.senate.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ "Senate confirms Chris Koos to Amtrak board". WGLT. 2024-01-23. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ a b "Chris Koos announces bid for 6th term as mayor of Normal". WGLT. 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ Allendorf, Faith; Troher, Matt (2022-05-23). "Normal Ill. singer-songwriter places third on 'American Idol'". The Daily Illini. Retrieved 2024-04-17.