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 Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Tom Carper |
| Normal Council Member | |
| In office April 2001 –February 17,2003 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher C. Koos 1948 (age 76–77) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Illinois State University |
Chris Koos is the current mayor of Normal,Illinois [1] and is serving as a member of the Amtrak Board of Directors. [2]
He is the longest serving Mayor in the history of the town of Normal. [3]
Chris Koos began serving as a Normal council member in 2001. He became mayor of Normal in 2003,and has been serving in that position for 21 years. [4] He was preceded by Kent Karraker,who stepped down due to health reasons,leading 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]
Born 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]
Koos made an appearance in season 20 episode 519 (Grand Finale) of American Idol due to Normal local Leah Marlene making the finals. He later named Tuesday,May 15,2022,Leah Marlene Day. [9] The episode received 6.49 million viewers live.