Normal Mayor Chris Koos confirmed to Amtrak Board of Directors

Posted on January 24, 2024
Uptown Station, the second-largest Amtrak station in Illinois, was developed under his direction. (WJBC File Photo)

By Jake Fogal

WASHINGTON – The Town of Normal’s top official is adding his name to the Amtrak Board of Directors.

Normal Mayor Chris Koos was confirmed to the Board of Directors Tuesday following the recommendations of Majority Whip Dick Durbin and U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth.

Normal Mayor Chris Koos. (WJBC File Photo)

“Mayor Koos has a long history as a powerful, positive voice in Illinois’ transportation sector.  He understands the importance of passenger rail to communities in Illinois, the Midwest, and nationwide.  His nomination, which we strongly recommended to President Biden, was well deserved.  We voted for his confirmation today with the confidence that he will grow and protect Amtrak’s national network,” said Durbin and Duckworth.

Mayor Koos has served the longest-running term of any mayor in the Town of Normal’s history.

Uptown Station, the second-largest Amtrak station in Illinois, was developed under his direction.

“We’d also like to commend former Mayor Tom Carper of Macomb, Illinois, for his service on the Amtrak Board of Directors since 2008, including as its Chairman from 2009 to 2013.  During his tenure, Mayor Carper ensured that Amtrak was valued as a national passenger rail system that offered valuable connections and economic opportunity to underserved communities,” Durbin and Duckworth.

Koos was first nominated to the Amtrak Board of Directors in 2020, but was never confirmed. That was until Durbin recommended him once again to President Joe Biden in 2022.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].

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