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Koos To Seek Fifth Term As Mayor Of Normal

Chris Koos
Charlie Schlenker
/
WGLT
Chris Koos took office as mayor in 2003.

Mayor Chris Koos of Normal said Wednesday he will run for another term of office next year.

Koos said the town is an incredible, vibrant place that is full of opportunity.

"I still have a lot of passion for the community and I like the direction it's going. And I think with my experience and that passion, we can keep Normal moving in the right direction," said Koos.

Koos narrowly defeated challenger Marc Tiritilli 3 1/2 years ago, and Tiritilli is running again. Koos, who has been mayor since 2003, said he will be better prepared for the negativity in the campaign this time around.

"I'll be working harder to get my message out to the public. That was probably my failure in the last campaign, that I didn't do that. I've got a lot to talk about in the community in terms of moving the community forward on a postive note," said Koos, who owns Vitesse Cycle Shop and Often Running in Normal.

Koos said the town has had many successes thanks to thoughtful strategic planning and a common vision, adding collaboration and consensus are his guiding principles.

"We live in an incredible place. It is unique, vibrant, so very Midwestern in values," he said. "But unlike many Midwestern cities, it is full of opportunity. As mayor, with the shared vision of the Normal Town Council and the support of the citizens of the Town of Normal, I have had the opportunity over these many years to help create the new and not-so-Normal community we live in today. It has been a challenging, yet rewarding path." 

Koos was appointed mayor when Kent Karraker stepped down; Koos has won four terms since then.

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WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.