By: Diane Benjamin Chris Koos’ 3rd nomination to the Amtrak Board is finally happening. Note the quorum requirement had to be waived to move it forward, it looks like the whole Senate will vote next week. Voiding rules makes this nomination perfect! https://www.congress.gov/nomination/118th-congress/15?loclr=cga-nomination
By: Diane Benjamin Chris Koos was nominated (3rd time) in January 2023 to replace Thomas Carper. Amtrak Board of Directors: https://www.amtrak.com/about-amtrak/board-of-directors.html . The Amtrak Board obviously isn’t a priority for the Senate who has to confirm nominees. The last movement of Koos’ nomination was in October. Unlike as Mayor of Normal where the entire Council […]
By: Diane Benjamin Another hearing is scheduled in the Senate for Amtrak Directors. Maybe Biden finally picked candidates that represent the whole country, the last list failed to move forward because everyone but Koos was from the East Coast. https://blnnews.com/2023/04/26/a-democrat-is-keeping-koos-off-amtrak-board/ The hearing can be watched live – June 21st at 10:00. https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2023/6/nominations-hearing-amtrak-and-ntsb Chris Koos is […]
By: Diane Benjamin https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2023-02-09/railroad-caused-traffic-jam-irritates-mayor-of-normal Some stories write themselves! Chris Koos is upset about freight trains blocking crossings in Normal. Fort Jesse, College, and Linden are frequently blocked. Koss thinks he can demand shorter freight trains. He is of course oblivious to business practices that make transportation cheaper with volume. (How does he stay in business?) […]
By: Diane Benjamin https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/01/03/nominations-sent-to-the-senate-91/ Carper’s term expired YEARS ago, so much for being vital.
By: Diane Benjamin PDF page 8: July 2022 PDF page 15: August 2022 Fixed Route ridership was down in August by .04% from the same month last year/ Mobility ridership was up 45% during the same time period, of course the policy changed so the price on either is the same. Video of the meetings […]
By: Diane Benjamin If Normal is a Town, why is Angelia Huonker a City Clerk? If Normal is a Town why is Pam Reece a City Manager? Does it make them feel more important with a “City” title instead of Town? More fun: the packet for Monday night has a sliver of minutes from the […]
By: Diane Benjamin Remember this story? https://blnnews.com/2020/10/19/is-koos-profiting-from-lockdowns/ Does Amtrak want a director that openly taunts people who don’t agree with him? Yesterday Koos proved yet again he doesn’t tolerate people who disagree with him: https://blnnews.com/2022/09/09/village-of-normal-discriminates-against-stan-nord/ Mayor Chris Koos was one of the votes to not allow Trustee Stan Nord to participate in the Executive Session […]
By: Diane Benjamin Last time Chris Koos was nominated to the Amtrak Board he didn’t get a hearing. https://www.congress.gov/nomination/116th-congress/1915 The seat he is nominated for has been vacant for years, this time it only took 4 months to get a hearing: If Koos ever gets a vote in the Senate he won’t be quitting his […]
By: Diane Benjamin h/t a reader Remember this: https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/normal-mayor-chis-koos-nominated-to-serve-on-the-amtrak-board-of-directors/article_e6cd0399-5940-595f-83ce-dc657a026246.html Chris Koos isn’t on the Amtrak Board because he was never confirmed by the Senate: https://www.congress.gov/nomination/116th-congress/1915 Koos will never be on the Amtrak Board unless he is re-nominated. See the explanation for Senate Rule XXXI listed above: Excerpt: The Koos nomination ended in September 2020. Did […]
