The likely new Mclean County Board member for District 4 in Normal is Mathew Coates, who would replace Ben Webb until the November election, if appointed later this month.
Coates is the sole applicant for the vacancy created when Webb bought a house outside the district. In his letter to the board, Coates said already was collecting petition signatures to run for the seat when he heard of the vacancy.
Webb is a Democrat and a member of that party must be appointed to fill the remainder of his term.
Coates is the communications director for District 87 and previously worked for Project Oz as a restorative school specialist and the Children's Home Association as a clinical coordinator of youth services and a crisis counselor.
He graduated from Illinois State University and was a walk-on athlete with the basketball team. Coates has a master's degree from Bradley University in Peoria.
Coates, who will make a presentation to the county board's executive committee next week, says in his letter that his core life missions are to improve the lives of others and to make a difference in the community.
His volunteer service includes Bloomington Rotary, The ISU Athletic Council, D87 Diversity-Equity-and Inclusion Committee, and the BCAI (Breaking Chains Advancing Increase) School of Arts in Bloomington.
