About Keith

Keith Taylor, at 28 years old, has already been a strong advocate for his community for nearly 10 years, working with local coalitions and legislators to improve the lives of the people of Coles County.

Born and raised in Coles County, Keith Taylor comes from a family of hard workers, small business operators, and farmers. He was taught early that if your community is to succeed, you must work to make it succeed. His work with local organizations such as Buy Local, Campaign for Better Health Care, and Fair Trade reflect his passion to improve his community.

Keith Taylor graduated from Mattoon High School and completed his associate's degree in Computer Network Administration at Lakeland College. This lead to the chance of a lifetime when he received a full time position with Congressman David Phelps in Washington D.C. where he worked as a legislative assistant and computer systems administrator.

While in Washinton, D.C., Keith Taylor witnessed the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy up close which strengthened his resolve to give back to his community. Before returning to Coles County, he dedicated his time and effort, volunteering for good government groups such as Common Cause and Progressive Maryland. He returned to Coles County and transferred to Eastern Illinois University to earn his degree in Political Science. Currently he is completing his Master's thesis on the ethical delivery of local property taxes for his graduate degree in Public Administration at University of Illinois at Springfield.

Keith Taylor believes this is Your County and Your Government. Your local government should work for you and Keith Taylor has the technological skills, the educational background, and practical experience to make the county clerk's office open, accessible, and responsive to everyone in the county.