Mayor and Council
A responsible government is critical to a city's welfare. In Charleston, a responsive representative government is headed by the Chief Executive Officer, an appointed City Manager. The Mayor and City Council make municipal decisions based on state statutes, local ordinances and recommendations from a full-time City Manager and his staff. Many volunteer citizen committees support the work of elected officials to represent the wishes of their constituents to encourage a democratic, citizen-centered process.
Mayor and Council
Dr. Combs was born and raised in Charleston and graduated from Charleston High in 1999. He is also a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. After graduating from EIU, he attended Logan College of Chiropractic in Chesterfield Missouri, where he earned a second bachelor's degree in Human Biology and his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree. After graduation from Chiropractic school, Dr. Combs and his wife returned to Charleston to open Combs Chiropractic & Wellness Center.
Dr. Combs received the ’20 under 40’ for Coles County award which recognizes the top 20 individuals under the age of 40 who are making a difference in the Community. In addition, he graduated from the Leadership Coles County Classes, Serves on the Charleston Trojan Booster Club Board of Directors, and is Past President of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Combs and his wife Ashley, have three children, Sophia, Arabella, and Brandtley. Dr. Combs feels blessed to call Charleston his “Hometown” and desires to be a good and faithful servant to the citizens of Charleston.
Mayor Brandon Combs
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
City Hall:(217) 345-5650
Email:MayorCombs@co.coles.il.us
Jeff brings to the City Council a variety of experience in local government operations and municipal administration.
Jeff is a graduate of Humboldt State University, Arcata, California with a BA in Geography and completed his graduate work in Political Science/Public Administration at E.I.U. He was appointed as the Administrator for the Coles County Mental Health (708) Board in 2010.
Jeff, his wife Melissa, and the family moved to Charleston in 1991. Since that time, he has been active in a number of community organizations. Jeff has served as Treasurer for the Charleston Area Churches Food Pantry, a volunteer for the local Habitat for Humanity chapter, and as a member of the C.U.S.D. #1 Board of Education. Jeff is currently a member of the Charleston Kiwanis Club.
Council Member Jeff Lahr
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: (217) 345-5650
Fax: (217) 345-7554
email: councillahr@co.coles.il.us
Tim attended elementary school in Charleston and graduated from Mattoon High School in 1966. He attended Eastern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1970. Tim is currently a math teacher at Charleston High School. He was a local banker for thirty years and held various executive positions dealing in business and finance.
In 1968 Tim married Susie Wilson, a Mattoon High School and EIU graduate as well. They have lived in Charleston since 1971 and have three grown children, two of whom work and live in Charleston.
Tim taught school from 1970-72 and subsequently went to work for First National Bank of Mattoon as a loan officer. He was employed at First National until 1978, at which time he assumed the position of Executive Vice President and later Chairman of the Board for the Ashmore State Bank. The Ashmore bank was merged with Charleston National in 1984, and Tim became the Executive Vice President of Charleston National.
Tim was employed at the Charleston National Bank and its successor banks until 1995. He returned to full-time teaching in the Charleston Public Schools in 1995 while maintaining a part-time position as Vice President at The Bank of Charleston until 2003. Tim earned both a Masters and Specialist Degree in Educational Administration in 1999 and 2003 respectively from Eastern Illinois University.
Tim feels fortunate to have been employed in two professions that have equipped him to be a good listener, as well as forward thinking and analytical of situations. He is glad to call Charleston his home and pledges to help make Charleston continue to be a safe and desirable community in which to live and work.
Council Member Tim Newell
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: (217) 345-5650
Fax (217) 345-7554
email: councilnewell@co.coles.il.us
Councilman Tim Hutti
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
City Hall: (217) 345-5650
Email: CouncilTHutti@co.coles.il.us
Mayor Mayor Brandon Combs |
Dr. Combs received the ’20 under 40’ for Coles County award which recognizes the top 20 individuals under the age of 40 who are making a difference in the Community. In addition, he graduated from the Leadership Coles County Classes, Serves on the Charleston Trojan Booster Club Board of Directors, and is Past President of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Combs and his wife Ashley, have three children, Sophia, Arabella, and Brandtley. Dr. Combs feels blessed to call Charleston his “Hometown” and desires to be a good and faithful servant to the citizens of Charleston.
Mayor Brandon Combs
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
City Hall:(217) 345-5650
Email:MayorCombs@co.coles.il.us
Council Member Jeff Lahr |
Jeff is a graduate of Humboldt State University, Arcata, California with a BA in Geography and completed his graduate work in Political Science/Public Administration at E.I.U. He was appointed as the Administrator for the Coles County Mental Health (708) Board in 2010.
Jeff, his wife Melissa, and the family moved to Charleston in 1991. Since that time, he has been active in a number of community organizations. Jeff has served as Treasurer for the Charleston Area Churches Food Pantry, a volunteer for the local Habitat for Humanity chapter, and as a member of the C.U.S.D. #1 Board of Education. Jeff is currently a member of the Charleston Kiwanis Club.
Council Member Jeff Lahr
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: (217) 345-5650
Fax: (217) 345-7554
email: councillahr@co.coles.il.us
Council Member Tim Newell |
In 1968 Tim married Susie Wilson, a Mattoon High School and EIU graduate as well. They have lived in Charleston since 1971 and have three grown children, two of whom work and live in Charleston.
Tim taught school from 1970-72 and subsequently went to work for First National Bank of Mattoon as a loan officer. He was employed at First National until 1978, at which time he assumed the position of Executive Vice President and later Chairman of the Board for the Ashmore State Bank. The Ashmore bank was merged with Charleston National in 1984, and Tim became the Executive Vice President of Charleston National.
Tim was employed at the Charleston National Bank and its successor banks until 1995. He returned to full-time teaching in the Charleston Public Schools in 1995 while maintaining a part-time position as Vice President at The Bank of Charleston until 2003. Tim earned both a Masters and Specialist Degree in Educational Administration in 1999 and 2003 respectively from Eastern Illinois University.
Tim feels fortunate to have been employed in two professions that have equipped him to be a good listener, as well as forward thinking and analytical of situations. He is glad to call Charleston his home and pledges to help make Charleston continue to be a safe and desirable community in which to live and work.
Council Member Tim Newell
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: (217) 345-5650
Fax (217) 345-7554
email: councilnewell@co.coles.il.us
Council Member Tim Hutti |
Councilman Tim Hutti
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
City Hall: (217) 345-5650
Email: CouncilTHutti@co.coles.il.us
Council Member Dennis Malak
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: (217) 345-5650
Fax: (217) 345-7554
email: councilmalak@co.coles.il.us
City of Charleston
520 Jackson Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: (217) 345-5650
Fax: (217) 345-7554
email: councilmalak@co.coles.il.us
